Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Energy
Wyden Statement on President-elect’s Nominee for Secretary of Energy
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today released the following statement on President-elect Donald Trump's decision to nominate Texas Gov. Rick Perry to lead the U.S. Department of Energy: "Gov. Rick Perry campaigned on a promise to eliminate the department he is now being nominated to run. I will be asking Gov. Perry how he plans to continue fulfilling the Energy Department's crucial role in creating good-paying energy jobs - which include clean, renewable energy jobs - and … Continue Reading
October 21, 2016
Bipartisan Group of Pacific Northwest Senators Pushes for Pioneering U.S. Wave Energy Test Facility
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., Patty Murray, D-Wash., Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, today urged the Department of Energy (DOE) to support the construction of the United States' first open-ocean, power grid-connected wave energy test facility at a site off the Oregon coast. The senators wrote in support of a partnership made up of Oregon State University, the University of Washington and the University of … Continue Reading
July 12, 2016
Wyden Named to Energy Bill Conference
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., issued the following statement after the Senate voted to proceed to the energy bill conference today: "I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to find a path forward on an energy bill that advances the low-carbon economy," Wyden said. "I will be working to keep a permanent wildfire funding fix as part of conference talks in order to put an end to the fire borrowing that's bankrupting the Forest Service and … Continue Reading
January 13, 2015
Wyden Amendments to Keystone XL Pipeline Bill to End Taxpayer Subsidy for Tar Sands Cleanup, Reduce Wasted Natural Gas
Washington, D.C. - Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today introduced two amendments to a Senate bill to approve the Keystone XL pipeline. Wyden's amendments would require foreign oil companies - not taxpayers - to be responsible for cleaning up oil spills and ensure taxpayers receive fair returns for energy produced on public lands, while minimizing environmental impacts. Wyden opposes the Keystone XL Pipeline, which poses major environmental concerns, and risks increasing gasoline prices in parts of … Continue Reading
May 29, 2014
Wyden Statement on New DOE Process for LNG Terminal Decisions
Washington, D.C. - Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., issued the following statement on the Department of Energy's new proposal for considering liquefied natural gas export applications: "Natural gas is a strategic advantage - America has it and the world wants it. The Energy Department is doing the right thing today by taking steps to protect America's advantage. I have long said that the studies DOE has relied on need to be updated to reflect current market conditions and data. I am pleased to see … Continue Reading
March 26, 2014
Wyden: Strengthen European Allies By Aiding Europe’s Energy Development
Washington, D.C. - In response to Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea, Sen. Ron Wyden today called for the United States to reduce Eastern Europe's dependence on Russian natural gas, by giving allies like Poland the expertise and know-how they need to develop their own energy resources. "It is time to do something real to bolster Europe's energy security by helping them develop Eastern Europe's substantial natural gas reserves and reduce the leverage Russia has over its energy-dependent … Continue Reading
March 24, 2014
Wyden Applauds Approval of Jordan Cove LNG Terminal
Washington, D.C. - Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore, issued the following statement on the Energy Department's approval of Jordan Cove's application to export liquefied natural gas from Coos County, Oregon: "This announcement is exactly what Coos Bay, North Bend and America need: new jobs and new investment, while factoring in a changed geopolitical landscape through a case-by-case process. I urged DOE to consider this application without delay, and I am pleased the department decided that Jordan Cove … Continue Reading
April 18, 2013
NEWS CONFERENCE: On Eve of Earth Day, Wyden in Medford on Sunday to Discuss Economic and Environmental Benefits from Lower Natural Gas Prices
WHO: Senator Ron Wyden RVTD Director Julie Brown Mike Montero, board chair of RV Clean Cities Steve Gambee, Rogue Disposal WHAT: News conference on the environmental and economic benefits of lower natural gas prices. WHEN: 11:15 a.m., Sunday, April 21, 2013 Medford, OR - On the eve of Earth Day, members of the Rogue Valley Clean Cities Coalition will join Oregon Senator Ron Wyden at a news conference on the economic and environmental benefits of … Continue Reading
January 10, 2013
Wyden Highlights Flaws in DOE Export Study
Washington, D.C. - Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), the incoming chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, voiced concerns about a recent Department of Energy study on the impact of natural gas exports on the U.S. economy, in a letter to DOE sent Thursday. The study, authored by NERA Economic Consulting for DOE, is seriously flawed, Wyden wrote. He is requesting the Department correct the flaws before using it as part of any LNG export decisions. "The shortcomings of the NERA … Continue Reading
January 09, 2013
Wyden, Murkowski Ask for Clarity on End Date for Helium Program
Washington, D.C. - In a bipartisan letter, the leaders of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, incoming Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Ranking Member Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), requested the Department of the Interior clarify for the Committee, as well as industrial helium users, when commercial access to the Federal Helium Reserve will terminate. Congress passed the Helium Privatization Act in 1996, authorizing the sale of crude helium from the Federal Helium Reserve until the … Continue Reading
January 09, 2013
Wyden Announces Senior Energy and Natural Resources Committee Staff
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), incoming chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, announced his senior Energy and Natural Resources Committee staff on Wednesday. "The committee has a tremendous combination of veteran committee staffers and dedicated newcomers to work on issues that can give a major boost to the U.S. economy and environment, as well as families' pocketbooks," Wyden said. Senior committee staff include: Joshua Sheinkman, Staff … Continue Reading
January 04, 2013
Wyden, Murkowski Seek Answers on Coal Royalty Payments
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The leaders of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, incoming Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Ranking Member Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), called for federal regulators to ensure taxpayers receive the full value for coal mined on federal and tribal lands, in a bipartisan letter to the Department of Interior sent today. Recent press reports raised the possibility that coal companies may be shortchanging state and federal taxpayers by understating the value of coal … Continue Reading
January 02, 2013
Wyden Electric Motorcycle Amendment Passes in Fiscal Cliff Package
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) successfully included his amendment to extend and reform the tax credit for buying new electric motorcycles as part of the fiscal cliff packaged passed New Years' Day. "The electric motorcycle industry is poised to create tens of thousands of U.S. jobs over the next five years, led by companies like Oregon's Brammo," Wyden said. "This amendment helps promote the development of a promising U.S. industry and support the transition to a … Continue Reading
December 21, 2012
Wyden Statement on EPA boiler rule
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) issued the following statement after the release of the Environmental Protection Agency's pollution control standards for industrial boilers and incinerators: "Today's boiler rule by the Environmental Protection Agency represents a good balance. It spells out to employers the steps they will need to take to upgrade their boilers, while also taking a measurable step forward in protecting the health of people and the environment. EPA estimates … Continue Reading
December 12, 2012
Department of Energy Awards Grant for Wind Power Demonstration Project Off the Oregon Coast
Portland, OR -Keeping Oregon at the forefront on alternative energy development, the U.S. Department of Energy announced today that it has awarded $4 million for a wind power demonstration project off the Oregon Coast at Coos Bay. The money was awarded to a Washington state firm, Seattle-based Principle Power, which plans to install five semi-submersible floating foundations outfitted with 6-megawatt direct-drive offshore wind turbines. The project will be sited in deep water ten to 15 miles … Continue Reading
December 05, 2012
Statement on Energy Department natural gas export study
Washington, D.C. - Senator Ron Wyden's office issued the following statement Wednesday in response to an Energy Department-commissioned study on the effect of exporting liquefied natural gas: Senator Wyden received this study this afternoon and plans to examine it closely before weighing in on the details. Broadly speaking, the study appears to confirm that exports of LNG will raise the domestic price of natural gas. Senator Wyden is insisting that impacts such as these guide the export … Continue Reading
November 07, 2012
Wyden statement on U.S. International Trade Commission solar trade ruling
Washington, D.C. - U. S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) issued the following statement following the U.S. International Trade Commission ruling today confirming that Chinese solar panel imports harm U.S. manufacturers. "It is unfortunate that China still refuses to play by the global trade rules it signed up to over a decade ago. Today's decision by the International Trade Commission enables the government to protect American solar manufacturers from the harm caused by China's illegal trade … Continue Reading
November 02, 2012
Wyden: U.S. should reconsider rubber-stamping LNG exports as part of a 21st-Century energy policy
Washington, D.C. - In response to questions about the impact of trade negotiations on U.S. natural gas exports, U. S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) issued the following statement: "The provision of the Natural Gas Act that grants automatic approval of natural gas exports to countries that share free trade agreements with the U.S. was adopted before newly-accessible shale gas became a strategic asset for the U.S. This policy needs reconsideration," Wyden said. "It could harm the nation's ability … Continue Reading
October 10, 2012
Wyden statement on Commerce Department’s Chinese solar panel enforcement decision
Washington, D.C. - U. S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) issued a statement following the U.S. Commerce Department's decision on counteracting illegal trade practices by Chinese solar panel manufacturers: "I am glad the administration intends to act against cheating by Chinese solar producers, but fear today's ruling leaves a loophole that will enable these companies to sidestep the impacts. That gap exempts panels from tariffs when only a small portion of panels is made outside of China," Senator … Continue Reading
September 27, 2012
Senate and House members call on Commerce Department to stop Chinese solar companies from dodging U.S. trade laws
Washington, D.C. - Eight members of U.S. Congress, led by Sen. Ron Wyden, (D-Ore.) asked the Commerce Department to close a loophole in its preliminary decision to crack down on illegal trade practices by Chinese solar panel manufacturers, in a letter sent Thursday. House Ways and Means Committee Ranking member Sandy Levin (D-Mich.), Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), and Rep. Diana … Continue Reading
