WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) questioned Steven Winberg, President Trump’s nominee to be an Assistant Secretary of Energy for Fossil Energy, and Bruce Walker, the president’s nominee to be Assistant Secretary of Energy for Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability about clean coal technology and the reliability of our nation’s electricity-grid.

Winberg and Walker both testified at today’s Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee nomination hearing.

On Carbon Capture Technology:

“Congratulations to you both on your nominations.

“Mr. Winberg, in Wyoming, we have tremendous coal, tremendous natural gas, and tremendous oil resources.

“These resources fuel our state’s economy and are responsible for billions in state and local revenues.

“Carbon capture, utilization and sequestration technology, C-C-U-S, supports the production of these abundant energy sources while also advancing environmental aims.

“I believe wider deployment of this technology is supported by a diverse coalition of energy, of labor, and of environmental interests.

“So how are you going to prioritize the resources of the Office of Fossil Energy to maximize the deployment of CCUS technologies?

Click here for video of Sen. Barrasso questioning Mr. Winberg on carbon capture technology.

On Wyoming’s Integrated Test Center:

“In August, the department announced about a $50 million funding opportunity through the Office of Fossil Energy for a public-private partnership to design, and construct and operate transformational coal technologies.

“I am encouraged by this announcement because I have seen the success that results from
these partnerships.

“In Wyoming, the state of Wyoming and several electric utilities have come together to construct the Wyoming Integrated Test Center.

“Once operational, this center will be one of the only facilities in the world that provides research space to promote the development of useful products for carbon emissions.

“Under your leadership, will the department pursue public-private partnerships that drive the development of emerging coal technologies?

Click here for video of Sen. Barrasso questioning Mr. Winberg on Wyoming’s Integrated Test Center.

On Electricity-Grid Reliability:

“Mr. Walker, in your testimony, you explain that you have been involved with the efforts of two large northeast electric utilities to invest in the reliability, resiliency and security of the electric power systems.

“In Wyoming and throughout the West, power systems face unique challenges.

“Many western communities are in sparsely populated areas where electric power infrastructure really has to navigate some difficult terrain.

“How will you prioritize the department’s resources to develop technologies that ensure safe, affordable and reliable service to power customers in the West?

Click here for video of Sen. Barrasso questioning Mr. Walker on electricity-grid reliability.

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