WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) secured commitments for Wyoming with U.S. Department of the Interior Deputy Secretary nominee Katharine MacGregor, and Department of Energy Deputy Secretary nominee James Danly.
Specifically, Senator Barrasso asked Mrs. MacGregor for her commitment to undo the disastrous Rock Springs and Buffalo Resource Management Plans (RMPs). They also discussed reversing policies from the Biden administration that punished federal land management in Wyoming and the West.
With Mr. Danly, Senator Barrasso secured commitment from the Department of Energy to getting Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP) projects over the finish line. They also discussed the importance of stopping our reliance on uranium and nuclear material coming from Russia to increase our energy reliability and security.
The nomination hearing for Mrs. MacGregor and Mr. Danly was held today at the Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
On Reversing Disastrous RMPs:
“The Biden administration’s Bureau of Land Management finalized the Rock Springs Resource Management Plan on the way out the door, December of 2024.
“It occurred not even a week after the Governor of Wyoming, Governor Mark Gordon, submitted his appeal to the proposed plan.
“The final plan is going to devastate the people of southwest Wyoming. It will lock up millions of acres of land that local communities and the entire state rely upon.
“The Governor, the state legislature, the county commissioners, and local communities all strongly oppose this plan that came out of the final days of the Biden administration.
“Will you commit to work with my office and the state to undo this disastrous plan?”
Follow-up:
“The Biden administration finalized a resource management plan for Buffalo, Wyoming Field Office That’s going to ban new coal leasing in the Powder River Basin, the most energy rich area in the country.
“This shortsighted decision is an insult to Wyoming communities and harmful to the American energy security if confirmed, would you work with me to reverse this plan?”
Click here to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks on the RMPs.
On Oil and Gas Leases:
“The previous administration, I believe, had a disgraceful record on oil and gas management.
“President Biden blocked production at every turn, deferred over 600,000 acres from leasing in Wyoming that were previously cleared for oil and gas production.
“I’m glad to see there’s already a lease sale in Wyoming this year. I think it needs to continue.
“If confirmed, will you work to offer additional acres for leasing?”
Click here to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks on oil and gas leases.
On Greater Sage-Grouse Management:
“Wyoming is home to a large population of the greater sage grouse, and its habitat. For over 15 years, Wyoming has been at the forefront of adopting new management approaches to protect the species.
“Our state has led successful efforts to balance conservation with economic development. The Biden administration proposed to designate over 600,000 acres in Wyoming as areas of Critical Environmental Concern, also known as ACECs.
“This can lock up thousands of acres in Wyoming, halting production development across the state. Would you be willing to reopen the department’s greater sage grouse management?”
Click here to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks on the management of the sage grouse.
On Federal Grazing:
“The Department of Interior plays a critical role in managing federal lands across the West. Almost half of the land in Wyoming is owned by the federal government.
“Land managed under multiple use is required to be managed without impairment of the productivity of the land. These are public places that people from Wyoming depend upon accessing for their livelihoods.
“Congress directed grazing, timber harvesting, recreation as well as energy and mineral development to take place on these lands. Will you support the multiple use mandate of federal lands?”
Click here to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks on federal grazing.
On the Colorado River Basin:
“The Colorado River flows through seven states, and the Upper Basin includes Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah.
“We need short- and long-term solutions that provide Westerners the water that we need. More water storage, improved federal flexibility, better data, improved forecasting can help accomplish these goals.
“What do you think is the role of the department in these negotiations between the Colorado River Basins, which are currently ongoing?”
Click here to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks on the Colorado River Basin.
On the Status of the Grizzly Bear:
“Grizzly bears are recovered. The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem population of grizzly bear has been fully recovered for 20 years.
“Wyoming is proud of its role in leading this recovery.
“The population has been delisted two times under both Democrat and Republican administrations. It has been relisted by a federal judge.
“The only thing that Presidents Biden, Obama, Trump, and Bush all agreed on is that the grizzly bears fully recovered. But we have federal judges who have taken a different approach.
“The Endangered Species Act was passed by Congress to protect a species from extinction. Does it make sense for the federal government to manage and waste tax payer dollars on a species that is in no danger of being extinct?”
Click here to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks on the grizzly bear.
On Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP):
“Let’s talk about advanced reactor demonstration project, nuclear energy.
“Developing first-of-its-kind technology requires time and resources, this is especially true for nuclear energy.
“The Department of Energy’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program is meant to help developers overcome these hurdles. This is work that’s begun in earnest during the first Trump administration.
“The program was signed into law by President Trump. I look forward to continuing this good work and getting the current projects over the finish line.
“If confirmed, will you ensure the Department of Energy remains committed to this mission?”
Click here to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks on ARDP.
On Russian Uranium and the Nuclear Supply Chain:
“Last year, Congress passed legislation to ban imports of Russian uranium into the United States. The law is intended to revive American uranium production and strengthen our nuclear fuel supply chain.
“This is needed to reliably supply critical base load power plants. The legislation must be implemented correctly.
“The Department of Energy has the discretion to provide waivers to companies seeking to import uranium from Russia. Do you agree that waivers should be used only as a last resort?”
Follow-up:
“We’re now seeing that sales of nuclear material coming from China, which are coming from Russia.
“The first Trump administration recognized our dependence on uranium imports to fuel our nuclear reactors as a national security risk. It convened the Nuclear Fuel Working Group to develop recommendations to address the issue.
“As an extension of the work, in 2023, Congress passed the Nuclear Fuel Security Act to rebuild our nation’s nuclear fuel supply chain. Congress repurposed $2.72 billion in 2024 in funding to support this goal.
“If confirmed, will you make it a priority to build and secure our nuclear fuel supply chain, including enrichment and conversion.”
Click here to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks on the nuclear supply chain.
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