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Mark Gordon on Energy & Oil

 

 


Our all-of-the-above policy is essential to our economy

During four years of aggressive efforts from the Biden Administration to impede the progress of our core energy industries, Wyoming held her own. We fought overreaching policies, radical programs and wrong-headed initiatives. Our coal, oil, gas, trona, and other mining industries have weathered the worst. Wyoming produces 12 times more energy than we use, and out-of-state consumers want more. Our all-of-the-above energy policy is essential to our economy and is good for owners of private property.
Source: 2025 State of the State Address to the Wyoming legislature , Jan 15, 2025

Biden energy policy is pure unadulterated "bovine scatology"

Wyoming citizens know just how misguided the Biden Administration's warped and unwise pursuit of an agenda to limit domestic production of coal, oil, and gas is. We all pay for it in higher electricity rates, gas prices, and heating costs. As Governor I cannot be as blunt as my rancher core wants me to be. Let me borrow a phrase from General Norman Schwarzkopf and declare to one and all that the Biden energy policy is pure, unadulterated "bovine scatology."
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to Connecticut legislature , Feb 12, 2024

We're bullish on all energy; we can do even more with coal

Wyoming is bullish on energy, all energy. Despite the misguided federal government, there is just so much energy opportunity here in Wyoming. We need to capitalize on it. We can certainly do even more with coal. Innovation is happening in Gillette and at the UW School of Energy Resources. A vote for this budget supports those innovations with coal.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to Connecticut legislature , Feb 12, 2024

It is undeniable that coal remains a vital fuel source

Wyoming has eight coal-fired plants, powering about 7.5 million homes. Wyoming coal provides reliable electricity to almost a quarter of all US households. It is undeniable that coal remains a vital fuel source for our country. But in the minds of Washington, DC bureaucrats all fossil fuels should go extinct. The good news is that we are making progress with carbon capture technology. And remember, carbon capture is not just for coal.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Wyoming legislature , Jan 11, 2023

Needn't choose between fossil fuels or new types of energy

The actions of the Biden Administration regarding public lands and energy, are deeply flawed and clearly miss the mark. Stopping the exploration and production of federal oil, gas and coal means that our state bears a disproportionate burden of reduced royalties, reduced severance taxes, and reduced economic benefit. These actions won't reduce global warming or benefit consumers. Instead it has caused inflation to soar. Mr. Biden, tear up your energy policy! Let Wyoming power the country!

Give us the tools and the chance to make this nation energy independent again. Wyoming has it all: the best wind, solar, gas, coal, nuclear and the ability to store 50 years' worth of our nation's total carbon emissions. Innovation, not regulation is our way forward to give our nation the energy it requires and simultaneously solve the world's climate concerns. We do not need to choose between fossil fuels or new types of energy. We need an all-of-the-above energy strategy.

Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Wyoming legislature , Feb 14, 2022

Crazed pursuit of 100% green energy will cripple the nation

Wyoming has long recognized the need for a broad energy portfolio that is reliable in reality, and not just on paper. The energy and environmental policies of Washington, D.C. have changed; radically changed. This crazed pursuit of 100% "green" energy ignores the urgency of finding better ways to capture, use, and sequester carbon. It fantasizes that crippling our own nation is somehow good for our world. Nothing could be more off the mark.

Wyoming is embracing solar and wind development. Both are emerging and important parts of Wyoming's total energy portfolio. But, we are not fooled by false promises either. We want to see what can be done. Our long history of working with coal, oil and natural gas, and regulating its related impacts to protect and enhance other natural resources, such as wildlife, is well established. Wind and solar development must be held to the same standards.

Source: 2021 State of the State Address to Wyoming legislature , Mar 2, 2021

Coal will help make Wyoming net negative in CO2 emissions

I will not waiver in my efforts to protect our industries; particularly, our coal industry. Paradoxically, it is the very industry which offers the best chance and most efficient way to remove C02 from our atmosphere. We can provide the means necessary to make C02 capture a reality in Wyoming and preserve one of our most important industries. Many states talk about the importance of net zero carbon emissions. But, today, I challenge you to join me in making Wyoming net negative in C02 emissions.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to Wyoming legislature , Mar 2, 2021

Others vilify fossil fuels--not on my watch!

By now Wyoming citizens know too well how a myopic national political attitude to vilify fossil fuels has affected our energy industry. Twenty-eight states have enacted either renewable energy standards or low-carbon policies. These are targeted at the industries that have helped raise our standard of living, built our schools, funded public infrastructure, and made us the premier economy in the world. We produce energy better, more safely, and with more attention to the environment than anywhere else on the planet, and yet our industries are still discriminated against, maligned, and decried as dead.

Well, not on my watch! Know this -- Wyoming will always advocate for our industries, whether it be to protect against unconstitutional restraint of trade, or in their endeavors to deliver cleaner, more dependable, more affordable, and safer energy to our nation.

Source: 2020 State of the State Address to 65th Wyoming legislature , Feb 10, 2020

Lower severance taxes on natural gas industry

The problem we face is not burning coal. The problem is that we have not recognized or seized the opportunities to burn it cleaner, to use its byproducts more beneficially, or to remember its role as our country's most reliable source of electricity for over a hundred years. We in Wyoming are leading the way.

It is our duty to verify that the proposed early closures of coal-burning units are truly warranted and economical, and not just philosophical or political. Wyoming genuinely welcomes renewable resources like wind and solar. However, we will not recklessly abandon our most abundant and reliable energy source just because it is unpopular with some people.

I note with particular urgency the state of our natural gas industry. Today, only two rigs are drilling for natural gas in Wyoming. That is the lowest number in the last 20 years. I seek the Legislature's support in crafting a temporary, price-based reduction in severance taxes for those most in need.

Source: 2020 State of the State Address to 65th Wyoming legislature , Feb 10, 2020

Encourage sale of coal-fired power plants to keep in use

SF159: This bill provides that the rates charged by a utility shall not include recovery of costs associated with new facilities built to replace retired coal fired electric generating facilities unless the utility made a good faith effort to sell the facility to another person prior to its retirement.

Utility Dive e-zine summary:Wyoming lawmakers passed a bill to encourage the sale of coal-fired power plants in a bid to extend their lives amid an industrywide trend of retirements. Senate File 159 would direct utilities to attempt to find new buyers for coal plants before retiring them and proposing replacement generation. It passed both legislative chambers by wide margins.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 50-8-2 on Feb/26/19; Passed Senate 27-0-3 on Feb/25/19; Signed by Governor Mark Gordon on Mar/8/19

Source: BetterWyoming blog on Wyoming voting records SF159 , Mar 8, 2019

Coal for decades to come, so let's improve usage

Energy must continue to be one of the pillars of our economy. In 2018, Wyoming hit a record for permit applications to drill for oil and gas.

I want to take just a moment to talk about coal. Coal continues to power this country and, despite market trends and politics, it will remain an essential part of America's energy portfolio for decades to come.

[Improved] technologies, when paired with Powder River Basin coal, can reduce the overall carbon emitted to the atmosphere. That is progress that should be a gut cinch for those advocating to control carbon emissions.

There are promising new uses of coal that can provide advanced building materials and innovative new products. Some of these are being developed at UW and others by private industry.

Source: 2019 State of the State address to Wyoming legislature , Jan 9, 2019

Make Wyoming a leader in advancing carbon sequestration

Wyoming is the nation's leader in advancing carbon sequestration and has launched the Integrated Test Center which is working on turning a byproduct like carbon dioxide into a valuable and marketable product.

Here in Wyoming, we will continue to seek innovative solutions that support coal, address climate change, and grow our economy.

Source: 2019 State of the State address to Wyoming legislature , Jan 9, 2019

Protect energy sources with eye on future technologies

Wyoming's natural resources are second to none. Be it oil, gas, coal, uranium or wind. And there are no greater stewards of these energy and natural resources than the people of WY. Mark will ensure responsible development of our state's natural resources while protecting open space and access to public lands. He will work to position Wyoming as the leader in advanced energy technologies including Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) and new carbon-to-product markets.
Source: 2018 Wyoming gubernatorial website GordonForWyoming.com , Sep 18, 2018

Other governors on Energy & Oil: Mark Gordon on other issues:
WY Gubernatorial:
Rex Rammell
Theresa Livingstone
WY Senatorial:
John Barrasso
Merav Ben-David
Michael Enzi
Reid Rasner
Scott Morrow
Yana Ludwig
Gubernatorial races 2025:
New Jersey Governor:
    Democratic primary June 10, 2025:
  • Ras Baraka, Mayor of Newark (2014-present)
  • Steven Fulop, Mayor of Jersey City (2013-present)
  • Josh Gottheimer, U.S. Rep. NJ-5 (since 2017)
  • Mikie Sherrill, U.S. Rep. NJ-11 (since 2019); elected Nov. 4.
  • Stephen Sweeney, N.J.Senate President (2010-2022)

    Republican primary June 10, 2025:
  • Jon Bramnick, State Senator (since 2022); Minority Leader (2012-2022)
  • Jack Ciattarelli, State Assemblyman (2011-2018), governor nominee (2021 & 2025); lost general election
  • Edward Durr, State Senator 3rd district (2022-2024); withdrew

Virginia Governor:
    Democratic primary June 17 cancelled:
  • Abigail Spanberger, U.S.Rep., VA-7 (2019-2024); Dem. nominee 2025; elected Nov. 4.
  • Levar Stoney, VA Secretary of the Commonwealth (2014-2016); (withdrew to run for Lt. Gov.)

    Republican primary June 17 cancelled:
  • Winsome Earle-Sears, Lt. Gov. since 2022; GOP nominee 2025; lost general election
  • Amanda Chase, State Senate District 11 (2016-2023); failed to make ballot
  • Denver Riggleman, U.S.Rep. (R-VA-5); exploratory committee as Independent
  • Glenn Youngkin, Incumbent Governor , (2022-2025), term-limited
Mayoral races 2025:
NYC Mayor Democratic primary June 24, 2025:
  • Adrienne Adams, speaker of the City Council
  • Andrew Cuomo, former governor of New York, 2011-2021 (Independent candidate).
  • Zohran Mamdani, New York State Assembly, 2021-2025 (Democratic nominee); elected Nov. 4.
    Republican June 24 primary cancelled; general election Nov. 4:
  • Eric Adams, incumbent Democratic mayor running as an independent
  • Jim Walden, Independent; Former assistant U.S. Attorney
  • Curtis Sliwa, Republican nominee; CEO of the Guardian Angels

Jersey City Mayor (Non-partisan)
    Non-partisan general election Nov. 4; runoff Dec. 2:
  • Mussab Ali, former president of the Jersey City Board of Education
  • Steven Fulop, outgoing Mayor (2013-2025)
  • Bill O'Dea, Hudson County commissioner (since 1997)
  • Jim McGreevey, former N.J. Governor (2002-2004)
  • James Solomon, city councilor (since 2017)
  • Joyce Watterman, president of the Jersey City Council (since 2023)

Oakland CA Mayor
    Non-partisan special election April 14, 2025:
  • Barbara Lee, U.S.Rep CA-12 (1998-2025)
  • Loren Taylor, Oakland City Council (2019-2023), lost general election
  • Sheng Thao, Oakland Mayor, lost recall election Nov. 5, 2024
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Page last updated: Feb 04, 2026; copyright 1999-2022 Jesse Gordon and OnTheIssues.org