Barrasso Joins Fight to Implement Loan Guarantee Program
August 29, 2007
WASHINGTON – U.S. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., joined a bipartisan group of eighteen Senators, led by Senator Pete Domenici, R-N.M., in urging President Bush to ensure that the Department of Energy’s (DOE) loan guarantee provisions are implemented.
   The loan guarantee program was established through the Energy Policy Act of 2005, and would encourage early commercial use of new or significantly improved technologies in energy projects.
   “As the largest net exporter of energy in the nation, Wyoming stands to benefit greatly from the loan guarantee program,” Barrasso said. “The program will play a significant role in furthering clean coal technologies and coal gasification projects in our state. I am proud to join my colleagues in calling on the President to ensure the program is fully implemented.”
    “As we examine ways to strengthen our energy security, increase our global competitiveness, and reduce our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions, it is essential that we enhance the federal assistance to the development of the clean energy technologies within the United States,” the Senators stated in the letter.
   The Energy Policy Act’s loan guarantee provision authorizes DOE to grant guarantees for up to 80% of a project’s cost.  However, DOE has issued a proposed rule that limits guarantees up to 90% of the face value of the loan, a limitation hat is not required by the law. 
    The Administration has also put a cap on the total amount of loans that can be guaranteed, thereby limiting assistance to only a few projects in small sectors of the energy industry.  This would eliminate much needed development outside of the traditional energy sectors.
   Mini Note:  Among the Senators who joined Barrasso and Domenici on the letter are Senators Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Larry Craig (R-Idaho), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Ken Salazar (D-Colo.), Benjamin Cardin (D-Md.), Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.), Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.), George Voinovich (R-Ohio), Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) and Gordon Smith (R-Ore.).

Barrasso Opposes Surface Mining Nominee
August 28, 2007

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator John Barrasso, R-Wyo., opposed the nomination of Brent Wahlquist to be Director of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement at the Department of Interior at last month’s Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee meeting.  Barrasso continues to oppose the nomination until the nominee assures him that Wyoming will get the money it is owed by the Federal government.

   “The federal government owes Wyoming more than $500 million of accumulated AML funds – so far, they have failed to deliver,” Barrasso said. “Wyoming wants its money.”

   “I have asked the Administration and the nominee for assurance that Wyoming would get its money. The response I have received did little to alleviate my concerns.”

   Abandoned Mine Land (AML) funds were collected over the past 30 years from mining operations in Wyoming. As part of the law establishing the reclamation program, half of the funds collected were to be returned to the State or Indian tribe.