POWER Act would help defend Wyoming's energy, mineral industries

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Chair of the Senate Western Caucus Cynthia Lummis, along with Sen. John Barrasso, Rep. Harriet Hageman (all R-Wyo.) and 30 of their colleagues reintroduced the Protecting Our Wealth of Energy Resources (POWER) Act to prohibit the president or his secretaries of the Interior, Agriculture or Energy from blocking energy or mineral leasing and permitting on federal lands and waters without congressional approval.

This bill is a direct response to President Biden’s ban on new energy leases during his first few days in office, according to a news release from Hageman's office. 

When introducing the bill, Hageman stated, “The Biden administration's relentless and punitive attacks on American energy production must end. ... Wyoming's most abundant commodity should be protected under federal law. Energy is the economic driver of Wyoming, with our state producing 13 times more energy than it consumes." 

Barasso was quoted as saying: “Since day one, President Biden has been clear about his plan to end the use of coal, oil and natural gas. These affordable and available sources of energy fuel our way of life in Wyoming and across the West."