Clean Wyoming Coal is the Lifeblood of an Affordable, Prosperous Future

"Wyoming's energy workers and coal communities now have the certainty they need to do what they do best: power the country with coal that is affordable, available, and reliable."

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) today spoke about Republican efforts to lower prices by unleashing affordable energy, starting with clean Wyoming coal.

Senator Barrasso also applauded President Donald J. Trump's recent announcement to keep the Dave Johnston plant in Converse County, Wyoming, open as well as to expand export markets in Asia for Wyoming coal.

Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso's remarks.

Sen. Barrasso's remarks:

"Twelve years ago, President Barack Obama drew a target around American coal mines. His deliberate goal was to kill clean, affordable coal. He tried to do this by shutting down coal mines and coal power plants. One of his targets was painted on the back of the Dave Johnston power plant in Converse County, Wyoming.

"The Dave Johnston plant uses Wyoming coal. Our coal is some of the cleanest, most affordable, most available, and most reliable coal in the world. It supports hundreds of good paying jobs. It delivers affordable, available, reliable energy across the Rocky Mountain West.

"Obama wanted to take a sledgehammer to coal-fired power plants, especially the Dave Johnston power plant. It was scheduled to close by the end of 2027. Fortunately, the Trump Administration has reversed Democrats' harmful, heavy-handed regulations. The Dave Johnston plant will keep its doors open. Those jobs will be protected. The power it produces will keep the lights on for families across the West.

"That is the difference between Democrats and Republicans.

"We just heard the Minority Leader come to the Floor and talk about costs. Well let me tell you, Democrats love high energy because they don't want people to use fossil fuels. They think the higher the costs, the fewer fossil fuels will be used, and that is their worshiping of the climate God that they have continued to worship.

"Democrats treat coal as something to be punished. They want it to be taxed, regulated, and then eliminated. Here's the difference. Republicans understand national security begins with energy security. Joe Biden prioritized 'climate' over energy that is affordable, available, and reliable. President Trump and Republicans see it differently. We put American families and American workers first.

"Coal is a key economic driver in Wyoming. Wyoming produces nearly half of the coal in the United States. We are truly America's energy breadbasket.

"In Wyoming, royalties from mining coal pays for the education of every child in the state. Coal mining provides jobs for Wyoming workers that are good paying and high tech. When power plants know they will stay open, our coal producers can plan, invest, and produce. President Trump's actions will bring down costs for American families.

"And it is not just America that wants Wyoming coal. It is our allies overseas, especially in Asia.

"Last week, President Trump made a historic announcement. He announced a $75 million investment to support building the West Gateway Terminal Project in Oakland, California. This facility will expand America's ability to export coal. It also supports mining jobs.

"Wyoming's Governor Mark Gordon joined President Trump in the Oval Office for the announcement. Governor Gordon told the President about his recent trip to Japan and Taiwan. Japan and Taiwan want American coal. They need it to keep the lights on. They need it to power their economies.

"We've needed a new port facility on the West Coast for a long time. One was supposed to be built in thirteen years ago. The location was Oakland, California. Environmental extremists protested and blocked the project. A decade of lawsuits followed. The case went all the way to the California Supreme Court. Finally, the Court ruled with the developers. The new West Gateway terminal has now been approved.

"With support from the Trump administration, Wyoming coal will soon reach hungry Asian markets. This is what unleashing American energy looks like. Clean Wyoming coal is the best in the world. Now, it will power the world.

"Democrats talk like coal lives only in past. They are wrong. Coal is the lifeblood of an affordable, prosperous future. Demand for energy is growing. We need more energy, not less. Wyoming coal will deliver.

"I am grateful to President Trump and for what he is doing. Wyoming's energy workers and coal communities now have the certainty they need to do what they do best: power the country with coal that is affordable, available, and reliable. With his historic announcement last week, President Trump continues to put American workers, American families, and American energy dominance first."

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