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DOE office in Wyoming would help further energy research and innovation.

CASPER, WY – Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) sent a letter to Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Dan Brouillette encouraging DOE to open a satellite office in Wyoming.

Wyoming is a leading energy producing state, and stands at the forefront of cutting edge energy technologies, including carbon capture and coal-to-products technologies. Several Wyoming projects have been selected for DOE funding in recent years.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and economic slowdown, energy research and development budgets have been slashed. In his letter, Barrasso highlights how a DOE satellite office in Wyoming will help further energy research and allow our energy industries to emerge from this crisis with more opportunities.

“Wyoming and the Department of Energy (DOE) have forged a strong relationship…To advance this relationship, I encourage DOE to open a satellite office in Wyoming. A permanent DOE presence in the state will allow us to build upon this close relationship and further energy research, development, and commercialization objectives of Wyoming and the nation,” wrote Sen. Barrasso.

Full text of the letter below:

July 17, 2020

The Honorable Dan Brouillette
Secretary of Energy
United States Department of Energy
1000 Independence Avenue, Southwest
Washington, DC 20585

Dear Secretary Brouillette,

Thank you for your diligent efforts during this challenging time to keep America’s energy production and infrastructure as strong as possible. As you know, Wyoming is a leading energy producing state, and stands at the forefront of cutting edge energy technologies. Oil, gas, coal, and renewable energy are the main drivers of our economy. These industries provide thousands of high paying jobs and critical revenues at the local, state, and federal level. Furthermore, Wyoming is a leader in advanced research on carbon capture and coal-to-products technologies.

Energy industries face serious economic headwinds due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic slowdown. Research and development budgets were the first to be reduced or eliminated as companies tightened their belts. While there are signs of recovery as economies around the country and world reopen, Wyoming faces a long road ahead.

Wyoming and the Department of Energy (DOE) have forged a strong relationship. Several Wyoming energy projects have been selected for DOE funding in recent years. The state has set aside funds for the purpose of cost-sharing with these grants. We take our energy future seriously, and appreciate our partnership with DOE. This partnership will allow our energy industries to emerge from this crisis with more opportunities and a brighter future.

To advance this relationship, I encourage DOE to open a satellite office in Wyoming. A permanent DOE presence in the state will allow us to build upon this close relationship and further energy research, development, and commercialization objectives of Wyoming and the nation.

I appreciate your consideration of this request, and look forward to building this partnership.

Sincerely,

John Barrasso, M.D.
U.S. Senator

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