Senator Barrasso Addresses Wind Energy Expo

DOUGLAS, WY – During Tuesday’s speech at the wind energy expo in Douglas, U.S. Senator John Barrasso, R-Wyo., stressed the need to encourage further development of affordable, clean, secure and predictable energy sources in Wyoming .

“In Wyoming , wind is the primary, untapped source of renewable energy,” Barrasso said. “In an environment where oil is $100 a barrel and consumers are demanding cleaner energy, development of renewable forms of energy, like wind, is essential,” Barrasso said.

“However, wind energy faces enormous challenges. Wind accounted for three tenths of one percent of the energy consumed in the U.S. in 2006. The transmission infrastructure in Wyoming and the U.S. needs investment and expansion.”

“Fledgling, renewable industries need human, financial, and technological resources to flourish.”

“That is why I support federal funding for energy research, commercial development and the deployment of new technologies. I support these investments and view them as critical.”

“I also support production tax credits for renewables, but we can’t do so at the expense of other important energy resources.”

“I believe that when it comes to energy, we need it all,” Barrasso continued. “ Wyoming coal, oil, and natural gas will continue to play a pivotal role in meeting our nation’s energy needs.”

“If we search for winners and losers selected by government bureaucrats and politicians – we all lose in the long-run.”

The expo was co-sponsored by the Department of Energy, the Wyoming Business Council, and the local economic development organization, CANDO.