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A Reality Check on the Green New Deal

If you’ve heard President Biden speak in recent months, you are likely familiar with the term “green energy” and his Administration’s push to prioritize renewable energy — most often at the expense of consumers and Wyoming producers. I am a proponent of an all-of-the-above energy strategy, and also believe we need to do more to make our energy sources cleaner and more environmentally friendly. However, we must also be realistic about the environmental ramifications of the “green” energy industry.

Part of the Biden Administration’s Green New Deal priorities includes recommending Americans drive electric vehicles. His Administration has encouraged people to shell out $40,000 to buy electric vehicles to avoid paying high prices at the pump. We in Wyoming know that replacing a gas powered car with an electric vehicle is not a solution that works for the average American, nor is it the environmentally friendly silver bullet the Biden Administration would lead us to believe.

The State of Wyoming is planning on using $25 million from the Federal Infrastructure, Investment and Jobs Act to provide incentives for private companies to build the stations. While this could work to attract those providers here, it does not necessarily get those stations built. They would also need to be at very regular intervals across our state as towns are not evenly spread out and you can go hours without seeing a service station.

Reality check – while electric vehicles do not rely on crude oil to run like traditional combustible engines, they still have significant environmental consequences. Take for instance, the electricity needed to operate these vehicles. More than 60% of Americans get their electricity from fossil fuels like coal and natural gas. While electric vehicles cut down on tail-pipe emissions, they will still create carbon emissions because of the electricity needed to charge the vehicle.

Perhaps even more importantly, electric vehicles need rare earth minerals for their production. Electric vehicles require six times the amount of minerals needed by traditional combustion engine cars. These minerals are not necessarily easy or clean to mine, and as of now, we import a majority of those minerals from China. China has a long history of disregarding environmental and human rights standards.

While the transition to electric vehicles may be coming our way, it would be naïve of us to assume there are no consequences to this transition. We should not attempt to entirely phase out combustible engines, most importantly because it would be impossible to do without devastating impacts to our supply chain. As we begin to introduce more electric vehicles, we need to prioritize bringing the mining and production of these necessary minerals into our domestic market. Wyoming has the supply and the capability to supply rare earth minerals, and we should prioritize development of that industry.

Happy Trails,

WORKING IN WASHINGTON

Legislative Actions:

I joined Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) in introducing the Improving Digital Identity Act of 2022. This bipartisan bill would safeguard the privacy and assets of people across Wyoming from cybercriminals.
- With Social Security Numbers and other personal information now widely available on the dark web, it is imperative that states like Wyoming have the option to adopt innovative digital identity tools to combat identity theft, reduce fraud, and increase confidence in online transactions.
I cosigned Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith’s (R-MS) resolution recognizing the need for media content geared toward agricultural and rural interests.
- It is important for farmers and ranchers to have access to news and weather content which is centered on agricultural issues. I know that many people in Wyoming want access to media entertainment geared toward rural audiences.
I cosponsored the Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act. This legislation would raise the mandatory pilot retirement age to 67.
- Rural air service remains a challenge in Wyoming, in large part due to a lack of pilots. Raising the mandatory retirement age would allow pilots to fly for two additional years, which would mitigate some of that shortage.

Major Votes:

Motion to proceed to H.R. 4346, the legislative vehicle for the CHIPS-Plus Act
Opposed
- While I care deeply about setting the U.S. up to be competitive on the world stage, I do not believe this bill accomplishes that. The price tag continues to increase, and I am concerned that it will end up being nothing more than a handout to large already established businesses that do not need a government handout.

WORKING IN WYOMING

Food banks across the state are struggling to keep up with demand due to inflation and the high cost of products. Donations are down, but need is up. I have repeatedly called on President Biden to focus on the supply chain crisis and record breaking inflation. My team and I will continue to monitor the situation and work to ensure that available federal resources are deployed to our state. If you would like more information on food banks in your area, Foodbank of Wyoming is a great resource to connect with your local Feeding America outfit.

News Around Wyoming:

Wyoming gas prices now higher than U.S. average
Wyoming Tribune Eagle
When it comes to what people pay at the gas pump for a gallon of regular unleaded or of diesel fuel, there may be as many theories about why it remains so expensive in Wyoming as there are motorists in the Equality State.

This may be because, according to experts who spoke in recent days with the Wyoming Tribune Eagle, there appears to be no single cause for the recent disparity between prices in the state overall and what people pay on average at the gas pump nationwide. What experts, data reviewed by the WTE and regular motorists readily agree on is that gas is expensive, more so than usual.

BLM declares fire restrictions for more Wyoming counties
Casper Star Tribune
With especially hot and dry weather descending on Wyoming, the BLM today began fire restrictions for its land in Campbell County. On Friday, the same rules go into effect on BLM land in Weston and Cook counties, according to a Monday press release.

The “Stage 1” fire protections limit public activity on BLM land. They’re put in place when the agency determines there is significant risk of wildfires, the agency said in a Monday news release. Temperatures have remained in the 90s for an extended period of time in Wyoming. Combined with dry and windy conditions, they’ve raised the fire danger of late.

Upcoming Mobile Office Hours:

Field Representative Bronwyn Lance will be in Douglas, Wyoming on Saturday July 23, 2022 to meet with constituents. She will be available to meet with residents individually and hear ideas, comments and concerns about what is happening in the U.S. Senate, and also to help anyone having trouble working with a federal agency.

To schedule a meeting with Bronwyn, please call (307) 439-7783 or email her at Bronwyn_Lance@lummis. senate. gov

WYOMING SHOUT OUT

Colonel Chis Roness of Newcastle is retiring after nearly 27 years of service with the United States Air Force. Roness finished out his time in the military while stationed in Oahu, Hawaii, but he's heading back to his hometown to celebrate, and he’s inviting everyone in Newcastle to join in on the celebration! The retirement ceremony will take place at the VFW hall in Newcastle on July, 23rd at 3:00 p.m. Thank you, Col. Roness, for your service and sacrifice for our country. I hope you have a wonderful retirement ceremony.

OFFICE LOCATIONS

Cody

1285 Sheridan Avenue, Suite 215
Cody, WY 82414
Phone: 307-527-9444

Cheyenne

Federal Center
2120 Capitol Avenue, Suite 2007
Cheyenne, WY 82001
Phone: 307-772-2477

Casper

Dick Cheney Federal Bldg.
100 East B Street, Suite 3201
PO Box 33201
Casper, WY 82601
Phone: 307-261-6572

Sheridan

P.O. Box 6677
Sheridan, WY 82801
Phone: 307-439-7783

Star Valley

80 1st Street
Suite 105
P.O. Box 1630
Afton, WY 83110
Phone: 307-248-1736

Washington, DC

Russell Senate Office Building
Room SR 124
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-3424