“America has more coal than any other country in the world. Coal is one of the most affordable, reliable, and abundant sources of energy on the planet… I look forward to standing with President Trump today to celebrate this win for Wyoming and America.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor to speak about the benefits of unleashing clean, affordable, reliable American coal.
Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared:
“I come to the floor today to talk about coal, specifically Wyoming coal, which is world-class coal, clean coal, low-sulfur coal. This is Wyoming coal. We need more of it – not less – to power our nation. This has powered our nation for over a century. It continues to be a major source of power for our nation now and far into the future.
“Today, President Trump will sign an executive order making clear his commitment to American energy independence. President Trump is moving quickly to boost our coal industry. It is part of his bold plan to restore American energy dominance.
“America has more coal than any other country in the world. Coal is one of the most affordable, reliable, and abundant sources of energy on the planet. In America, it is also much cleaner than ever before. Wyoming’s Powder River Basin produces the cleanest-burning coal in the world. Nearly half of all coal produced in America comes from the Powder River Basin in Montana and Wyoming. Wyoming’s energy warriors will lead the way.
“For years, Democrats held coal captive with reckless regulations. Joe Biden took coal offline. Democrats’ war on American energy strained our grid, subsidized unreliable energy, and as a result, energy prices spiked by 31 percent. This hit American consumers, American manufacturers, and American families. And it hurt our economy. Meanwhile, China opens up two new coal plants every week.
“President Trump is cutting red tape so America can compete again. Coal is making a comeback. Wyoming wins, America wins. But not China.
“Americans demand affordable, reliable, available energy. Clean coal can deliver it. American energy is rocket fuel for a stronger economy and a more secure country.
“First, more energy means lower prices. Electricity demand is projected to double by 2050. America cannot meet this demand if we lock up our vast energy resources. That’s what Democrats want to do. High energy prices under the previous administration drove up food prices and strained families. President Trump wants to produce more American energy, including coal. Investing in American energy lowers costs for food and puts money back in Americans’ pockets. This is how we need to deal with the energy crunch we are facing.
“Second, more American energy creates jobs. Coal is an engine of America’s economy, and Democrats continue to treat it as an enemy. Everything we do in this country relies on energy. We need more energy, not less. Steel producers, manufacturers, and data centers need steady, reliable power if we are going to compete and win. Electricity needed for data centers alone is predicted to increase by up to 20 percent each year over the next five years. Coal can help power them. It will give our industry an edge – a competitive advantage. In turn, more workers will get steady paychecks. Coal miners will get new opportunities. All of America will get a boost.
“More American energy also means that data centers and artificial intelligence – which are major users of energy – will grow in America, not overseas. With it, we can power our economy, win the energy race, and win the artificial intelligence race against Communist China.
“Third, more energy secures our nation. Energy security is national security. President Trump and Republicans understand that. We don’t need more liberal energy chokeholds. Energy independence matters for our nation and our future. Europe last year spent $23 billion on Russian oil and gas because they didn’t have enough of their own energy. $23 billion is more money than Europe sent in aid to Ukraine. Europe’s energy crisis shows that dependency on our enemies for energy is self-defeating. American energy dominance, including clean coal, reduces America’s vulnerability.
“The climate alarmists say coal is the energy of the past. They are misinformed. Clean coal can fuel the future. It is affordable. It is reliable. It is ready to go.
“President Trump knows that coal is a key ingredient in our all-of-the-above energy strategy. I look forward to standing with President Trump today to celebrate this win for Wyoming and America.”
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