State of Wyoming Archives: on Environment
Merav Ben-David:
Yes to stronger environmental regulations
She felt pressure to inform people living in Wyoming about the threat of climate change. She began to juggle an active research program with activism. "I came to understand those efforts would be a lot more effective if I was in the decision-making
process." Eventually, she decided to run for office. Wyoming's political landscape is not particularly friendly for Ben-David, whose platform includes calls for stronger environmental regulation.
Source: Science Magazine on 2020 Wyoming Senate race
Oct 19, 2020
Mark Gordon:
Allow a few corridors for big game migration
Regulations are important but can impede development. My Big Game Migration Corridor Advisory Group crafted a recommendation that provides a practical way to identify, designate, and protect a few migration routes without offending private
property rights. It is absolutely not a land grab. The order simply establishes a way to designate a handful--single digits--of corridors to protect our state's great treasures: our wildlife, our hunting, and our opportunity to enjoy the outdoors.
Source: 2020 State of the State Address to 65th Wyoming legislature
Feb 10, 2020
Yana Ludwig:
Restore basic ecological protections and public lands
Ecological Stability: We need to pass and flesh out the Green New Deal, with special attention on fossil fuel states making the transition in a positive way for our communities, and the bipartisan Carbon Fee and Dividend bill.
We also need to restore our basic ecological protections that are being eroded under the Trump administration, and strengthen our system of public lands at all levels of public ownership.
Source: Ballotpedia.org Connection on 2020 Wyoming Senate race
Sep 9, 2019
Mark Gordon:
Research controlling invasive species at state colleges & UW
Wyoming, like many western states, is struggling to contend with the spread of invasive species like cheatgrass, leafy spurge, and medusahead wildrye. These species are degrading our range, threatening agricultural viability, impacting big game, and
raising fire risks across the West.In our quest for UW to be a top-tier agricultural school, certainly one mission we should consider expanding is our research into better ways to expunge and control the spread of invasives.
In support of that effort, I plan to work with UW's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, our community colleges and the state's weed and pest districts to put together a
program that will combine research with management, aiming to make sure Wyoming is a leader nationally on combating invasive species.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to Wyoming legislature
Jan 9, 2019
Bill Dahlin:
State can handle mineral/energy use; won't hurt environment
What is my stance on the transfer of public lands ownership, federal to state, except wilderness, monuments, and parks? I really don't think Wyoming, as a state, needs to do this unless the feds threaten our public access.
As far as managing the permitting of mineral and energy use, I feel the state could take that part over and manage it without jeopardizing our environment.
Source: 2018 Wyoming gubernatorial website DahlinForGovernor.com
Sep 18, 2018
Mary Throne:
States can regulate environment and energy policies alone
While saying ''I don't like to label myself," Throne said she does consider herself a "Wyoming Democrat." She said that means she supports the 2nd Amendment and is skeptical of the federal government on many issues,
including environmental regulation of the energy industry. Throne said she thinks "we know better' than the federal government on energy and environmental regulations.
Source: KGAB-AM 650 on 2018 Wyoming Gubernatorial race
Apr 6, 2018
Gary Trauner:
Find balance between protecting environment & developing it
America is a vast land with more than enough room for both responsible development and protecting our special places. I will: - Fight to ensure that federal public lands have the funding to be well maintained & well-managed.
- Ensure clean water
and clean air so our wild game herds and native fish populations can thrive.
- Ensure all parties: hunters, fishermen, hikers, bikers, snowmobilers and those just seeking solitude have access to special places to enjoy their specific activities.
Source: 2018 Wyoming Senatorial campaign website TraunerForWY.com
Feb 22, 2018
Matt Mead:
Improve Endangered Species Act: only 1% ever got delisted
Among 11 new initiatives, we're working to make changes in the Endangered Species Act. The Endangered Species Act was passed in 1973. Since 1973, all the species listed, a little over just one percent have ever been delisted. It needs help.
As chairman of the Western Governors Association, my initiative was to get the western states on board to change and improve the Endangered Species Act, and as you can be aware, all western states don't have the same politics as Wyoming has.
While we worked together with outdoor groups, with environmental groups, we put together a proposal, and I'm pleased to say in June of last year Western Governors voted unanimously for improvements to the Endangered Species Act.
We're now going to take it to the National Governors Association, and we're going to take it to Congress. It's time to make improvements to the Endangered Species Act.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Wyoming Legislature
Jan 11, 2017
Michael Enzi:
Bring Abandoned Mine Lands funding back to the state
Mike has brought Abandoned Mine Lands funding back to the state, money that is rightfully owed to Wyoming by the federal government. Returning these dollars to the state of Wyoming helps fund our local schools and infrastructure while keeping taxes low.
He has been a champion of the industries that keep Wyoming prosperous and employed: the first responsibility of any Senator who wants to create jobs is to make sure the federal government doesn't impede economic development.
Source: Vote-USA.org on 2014 Wyoming Senate incumbents
Oct 26, 2014
Charlie Hardy:
Invest in environmentally-responsible infrastructure
Our infrastructure--the roads, bridges, and water systems that connect us--must be improved. We need to invest in public transit, and far more renewable energy. I will work hard to make sure that tax dollars help create a more reliable, efficient, and
environmentally responsible infrastructure and energy supply.These policy priorities reflect progressive values that I have championed for decades as a public speaker, writer, priest and pastor. I have dedicated all my life to speaking out and
standing side by side with people in their struggle for justice. I marched on Solidarity Day in 1968 from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial. I stood by the railroad tracks in Cheyenne, Wyoming, to protest war and spending waste as the
white trains carried nuclear warheads to the West Coast. While serving as a missionary in Venezuela, I lived in a cardboard and tin shack without running water or sewers for eight years in a barrio of Caracas.
Source: Democracy For America on 2014 Wyoming Senate race
Aug 19, 2014
Liz Cheney:
Oppose intrusive practices of the EPA
After President Obama took office and the dangerous direction of his administration became clear, Liz founded Keep America Safe, a non-profit organization dedicated to keeping the United States secure from terrorist threats.
A strong conservative voice, she appears frequently on television drawing attention to the threats to liberty posed by the Obama administration, from its use of the IRS to target political opponents to its effort to limit our second amendment rights.
As a Fox News Contributor, Liz appeared numerous times as a guest-host for Sean Hannity and spoke out on a number of topics,
including the intrusive practices of the Environmental Protection Agency, which recently released private information about thousands of ranchers and farmers
Source: 2014 Senate campaign website, cheneyforwyoming.com, "About"
Oct 9, 2013
Matt Mead:
Mineral production resources equate to tremendous value
We remain number one in trona production; we have 70% of the world's supply of bentonite; we are number one in coal production; we are number one in uranium reserves; and year in and year out we rank first or second in natural gas production.
These resources equate to tremendous value. The total value for minerals produced in Wyoming hit $15.5 billion dollars in 2010, the second best year ever and up 23% since 2009. Wyoming remains strong in minerals.
Source: Wyoming 2012 State of the State Address
Feb 13, 2012
Matt Mead:
With courts wolf management, winners are lawyers & wolves
I am asking for your support on my proposed wolf plan. After years of court battles, where every year the number of wolves increases by about 10 percent, where we have lost the ability to manage that which belongs to us--our wildlife, where wolves
threaten our Agriculture, wildlife and outfitters, it is time to move forward. We must accept the fact--if Wyoming is to have wolves and it is clear that we are--we have a scientifically sound approach that gives us management and the ability to
have a balance in terms of numbers. If we don't move forward, we diminish our state's rights and miss an opportunity to achieve greater balance.
Some disagree with my plan, instead believing a solution lies in the hands of a few judges and we should
continue in the courts. To date we have not gained the ability to manage wolves, the numbers keep going up, and the only proven winners have been the attorneys and the wolves.
Source: Wyoming 2012 State of the State Address
Feb 13, 2012
Dave Freudenthal:
One year moratorium on eminent domain for wind power-lines
In the Industrial Siting Act, two items are controversial: One is my suggestion that we suspend wind generation companies' power of condemnation to build collector power-lines. I do this mindful of the fact that it is going to produce some significant
controversy.The exercise of eminent domain by a private party is the exercise of a state authority granted by the Legislature. It is a decision by the Legislature to prefer one group's property rights over those of another.
When wind companies say t
you, "We don't use eminent domain," the truth is we have not used a nuclear bomb since World War II, but the existence of the deterrent nuclear arsenal has colored every discussion about international and national security in that time.
The same is tru
with regard to eminent domain. The fact it is not used does not mean it is not a part of the conversation. I am not suggesting we do away with it forever. I am suggesting we take a one-year hiatus. This moratorium is limited to collector lines.
Source: Wyoming 2010 State of the State Address
Feb 8, 2010
Mark Gordon:
We understand responsibility of stewardship AND development
Since I was a little kid driving with my dad to rodeos all over the state, I have loved what Wyoming offers in every part of the state: I grew up with people who understood the responsibility of stewardship. I have spent my life, as have many other
ranchers, promoting that sense of stewardship to a country increasingly losing touch with the land. I have worked across party lines, with environmental groups and oil companies to advance the spirit of Teddy Roosevelt's famous quote, "Conservation
means development as much as it does protection." I recognize the right and duty of this generation to develop and use the natural resources of our land; but I do not recognize the right to waste them, or to rob, by wasteful use, the generations that
come after us."
Even though a significant portion of Wyoming is affected by the federal government through federal agencies; it is our private lands that make up some of the most valuable open spaces and high quality wildlife habitat.
Source: 2008 Wyoming House campaign website gordon08.com
Nov 1, 2008
Page last updated: Oct 14, 2021