WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) announced that he has invited Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon to testify on April 27 at a hearing before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee on energy development on federal lands.

Barrasso is ranking member of the Senate ENR Committee. 

“I am glad Governor Gordon is coming to Washington to testify on how the Biden administration is taking a sledgehammer to Wyoming’s economy,” said Barrasso. “By banning new oil and gas leasing on federal lands, the president is depriving thousands of people in Wyoming of their jobs. Energy production on public lands is a principal source of revenue for public education and other essential services. I look forward to Governor Gordon’s testimony and working with him to fight for America’s energy workers.” 

“As the spectre of the COVID-19 economic disaster recedes, I am eager to speak to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee about actions that can be taken to support Wyoming's economy,” said Governor Gordon. “The oil and gas industry is a major economic driver, both in terms of job creation and state revenue. Since 68 percent of the mineral rights are owned by the Federal government, the oil and gas leasing program administered by the Bureau of Land Management is vital to the wellbeing of that industry.  Just when oil prices are reaching the point where a door to a meager recovery has begun opening, the Administration appears to be taking steps to close it again. I look forward to a constructive discussion of the issues.” 

Background Information: 

On January 27, 2021, Barrasso blasted President Biden’s executive order to ban new oil and gas leasing on federal lands and waters. A bipartisan group of elected officials and stakeholders also slammed the executive order. 

On February 1, 2021, Barrasso wrote an op-ed in USA Today on how President Biden’s executive orders take a sledgehammer to Western state economies. 

On March 24, 2021, Barrasso released a statement in support of the lawsuit the state of Wyoming filed challenging the moratorium on oil and gas leasing on federal land issued by President Biden and Secretary of the Interior Debra Haaland.

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