Gordon to hold town hall over proposed federal rules impacting energy industries

Gov. Mark Gordon is hosting a Town Hall to address what he calls “a barrage of proposed rules” for energy industries and public lands.

The Town Hall is scheduled from 1 pm to 4 pm on Tuesday, June 25th at Gillette College’s Technical Education Center. State agency leaders will be on hand, along with industry representatives, and members of the Campbell County Commission.

“The Biden Administration continues to fire broadsides at Wyoming’s core industries – coal, oil and gas, minerals, and agriculture – and attack our very way of life and our freedoms through federal rulemaking, feet-dragging, and outright interference,” said the governor in a press release. “This Town Hall will provide a forum to listen to the public’s concerns, let people know about all the things Wyoming is doing to fight back, and to learn of any stones we may have left unturned.”

According to the governor’s office, topics up for discussion may include new regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that involve natural gas and coal-fired power plants, EPA methane rules for producers of oil and natural gas, and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM)’s proposed amendments to the Buffalo Field Office’s land use plan to make it unavailable for future coal leases. As reported by The Center Square in May, Governor Gordon vowed to fight the plan.

“This decision, compounded by the recent EPA rules, ensures President Biden’s legacy will be about blackouts and energy poverty for Wyoming’s citizens and beyond,” the governor said at the time.

The Biden administration says these and other regulations are necessary to help the environment, improve air quality, fight man-made climate change, and reduce America’s dependence on oil.

The public will be available to pose questions at the June 25th Town Hall.