Barrasso secures concessions from Sen. Obama

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Barrasso, R-Wyo., has protected Wyoming coal from the potentially drastic consequences of the “Mercury Export Ban Act.”

During a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing, Barrasso won two key concessions from Senator Obama (D-IL) to ensure Wyoming coal is protected. The legislation prohibits federal agencies from selling or distributing elemental mercury to states, governments and businesses. Elemental mercury is found in coal.

“This bill could have had potentially far-reaching negative effects on Wyoming’s economy,” Barrasso said. “This bill is not intended to have an impact on coal; the goal is to have an impact on mercury.”

“Coal is an abundant, affordable, reliable and secure energy source. American energy independence and reduced greenhouse emissions needs clean coal technology. My amendment will make absolutely certain that Wyoming coal will not be affected by this legislation.”

The first Barrasso amendment said that the bill would not affect a conveyance, sale, distribution or transfer of coal.

The second Barrasso amendment said that nothing in the bill prohibits the leasing of coal by the federal government.

Examples of the potentially unintended consequences of the bill without the Barrasso amendments include:

• Most coal lease sales in the West are federal sales of coal to a private entity. Under a strict interpretation of the bill, these lease sales could be blocked;

• In the event the federal government transferred lands or mineral rights to the State of Wyoming, the bill could hamper the transfer; and,

• If the federal government were to develop (or jointly develop) a coal-to-liquids facility similar to the Rocky Mountain Oilfield Testing Center, the issue of the transfer of elemental mercury could arise.

Wyoming, the largest producer of coal in the United States, currently receives more than $700 million in revenue annually from coal sales.