Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Energy
Wyden Calls for FTC Investigation into Secret Agreements to Drive Up Tar Sand Oil Prices
Washington, D.C. - In an effort to protect U.S. consumers from Canadian oil companies using potentially anti-competitive practices to drive up prices for tar sands oil at Midwest refineries, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) has called for a Federal Trade Commission investigation into whether seven Canadian oil companies illegally colluded to control the price of oil to U.S. refineries that contribute to the nation's supply of gasoline and diesel fuel. In a letter to FTC Chairman Jonathan … Continue Reading
March 02, 2010
Wyden, Dodd, Cantwell, Mikulski, Cardin and Merkley Fight for Local Control Over LNG Terminal Siting
WASHINGTON, DC - Working to give state entities the power to determine both the need for - and the location of - liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals in their states, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) introduced legislation today to repeal portions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which gave that authority to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Prior to the … Continue Reading
January 21, 2010
Wyden, Merkley Announce $5.4 million To Help Oregon Families Pay Utility Bills
Washington, D.C. - Continuing efforts to help low-income residents pay their utility bills, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) announced today that in response to a letter signed by both senators, the Department of Health and Human Services will release more than $5.4 million to Oregon in contingency funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The funding will directly help low-income households pay their utility bills."This funding will … Continue Reading
January 13, 2010
Wyden, Merkley Announce $4 Million for Renewable Energy Job Training
Washington, D.C. - In keeping with efforts to boost employment and to position Oregon as a renewable energy industry leader, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D- Ore.) announced today that Oregon will receive $4 million in grants to provide renewable energy job training for the unemployed living at or below the poverty level. The Pathway Out of Poverty grant is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and will give many workers the new skills and training and provide … Continue Reading
January 06, 2010
Wyden, Merkley Announce $5 Million for Renewable Energy Job Training
Washington, D.C.-. Continuing efforts to position Oregon as a leader in the renewable energy industry, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D- Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D- Ore.) announced today that Oregon will receive $5 million in grants to provide training for workers in renewable energy industries. "The renewable energy industry will mean many new jobs in Oregon and this funding will help workers meet the needs of that industry," Wyden said. "Not only will it help workers improve and update their … Continue Reading
October 29, 2009
Wyden, Merkley Announce $40 Million To Boost Geothermal Energy in Oregon
Washington, D.C. - Continuing efforts to advance alternative energy resources and break our dependence on foreign oil and fossil fuels, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) announced nearly $40 million in Recovery Act funding for the exploration and development of geothermal energy technologies in Oregon. "This funding will literally help to bring Oregon's geothermal energy potential to the surface," Wyden said. "It will create and sustain jobs improving alternative … Continue Reading
September 24, 2009
Wyden, Merkley Announce USDA Funding for Rural Renewable Energy Grants
Washington, D.C. - In recognizing the importance of energy efficiency in America's rural businesses, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D- Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will be awarding more than $866,000 in grants and a $2.2 million loan guarantee to rural businesses in Oregon to promote alternative energy production."This funding will help 24 farms and agricultural businesses in rural Oregon create and save energy using sustainable, alternative … Continue Reading
July 30, 2009
Merkley, Wyden Announce Up to $3 Million for Solar Energy Partnership in Bend
WASHINGTON D.C. - Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that a partnership involving PV Powered, a manufacturer of photovoltaic solar inverters in Bend, Oregon, will receive up to $3 million from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to develop solar energy grid integration systems (SEGIS). A portion of that funding will come from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. "Every day, we're seeing countries like China and India pour resources into the development of clean … Continue Reading
June 12, 2009
Merkley, Wyden Announce $11.85 Million for Oregon Biomass Projects
Washington D.C. - Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the Department of Agriculture has awarded $11.85 million to five counties in Oregon to create clean energy jobs and reduce the risk of wildfire in Oregon as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The funding will go to projects in Douglas, Grant, Harney, Jefferson, and Linn Counties. "During my recent trip through Southern Oregon I saw firsthand how biomass projects are creating jobs in our forests," … Continue Reading
May 20, 2009
Wyden Unveils Energy Agenda to End U.S. Addiction to Foreign Oil
Washington, D.C. - Offering a new direction for the U.S. Senate energy debate, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) introduced a series of energy initiatives today aimed at reducing America's consumption of fossil fuels. The package of eight initiatives takes a market-based approach to green energy by focusing on ways to make alternative energy more competitive with fossil fuels while promoting energy efficiency and innovation in new sustainable energy technologies. "This country can't break free … Continue Reading
March 31, 2009
Wyden Amendment for Renewable Energy Job Training Included in Energy Bill
Washington, D.C. - In a bold step to dramatically improve our nation's preparedness to compete in the renewable energy industry, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources today voted to include an amendment authored by U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) in the 2009 energy bill to fund job-training programs at community colleges in renewable and alternative energy fields. U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wy) joined Wyden as a cosponsor of the amendment."The United States will not to be … Continue Reading
March 10, 2009
Senators Announce Health, Education and Energy Funding for Southern Oregon
Washington, D.C. - Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced today that the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009 includes nearly $250 million for Oregon projects including $1.5 million to construct a geothermal power plant and $700, 000 for improvements to 9-1-1 services. These funds are part of the annual funding for Fiscal Year 2009, and will complement the funding provided through the economic recovery legislation last month."It is essential that Oregon remain on the cutting edge … Continue Reading
September 09, 2008
Wyden Challenges Order Authorizing Export of Alaskan Natural Gas
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Citing projections that natural gas will cost Americans an average of 22% more this winter than last, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden asked Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman to review and revoke the Department of Energy's recent order authorizing the export of 98.1 billion cubic feet of Alaskan natural gas -- enough gas to meet the needs of 1.4 million American families -- to Japan other Pacific Rim countries. "The Administration is trying to have it both ways - arguing that … Continue Reading
July 31, 2008
Wyden-Grassley Staff Proposes Level Playing Field for Oil Trade
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In an effort to reduce excessive speculative trading in oil and other commodities, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) a member of the Senate Finance and Energy Committees and the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) are circulating a staff discussion draft of tax fairness legislation today that would end lucrative tax breaks that speculators enjoy by taxing all the profits they earn on the oil commodities market at the same rate as ordinary … Continue Reading
July 18, 2008
Wyden, Smith Announce Funds for Oregon Energy and Water Projects
Washington, D.C. - Oregon Senators Gordon Smith and Ron Wyden announced today that they are one step closer to securing critical federal funding for Oregon energy and water projects. The Senate Appropriations Committee approved these projects last week as part of the Fiscal 2009 Senate Energy and Water Appropriations Bill, which now heads for the Senate floor. "The management and protection of Oregon's abundant natural resources are vital to our state's economy and way of life," said Smith. … Continue Reading
June 25, 2008
Wyden Brings Energy Independence Tour to Portland on July 1st for Public Forum
Portland, OR - Frustrated with high gas prices? Concerned about buying home heating oil this winter? If you have ideas on what to do about it, Oregon Senator Ron Wyden wants to hear them.Wyden will hold a public forum in Portland on Tuesday to listen to what residents of the tri-county area have to say about what the United States can do to become more energy independent. The forum is the second stop in Wyden's Energy Independence Tour."In Washington we hear all the time from lobbyists and … Continue Reading
June 24, 2008
Wyden Brings Energy Independence Tour to Medford on July 3rd for Public Forum
Medford, OR - Frustrated with high gas prices? Concerned about buying home heating oil this winter? If you have ideas on what to do about it, Oregon Senator Ron Wyden wants to hear them.Wyden will hold a public forum in Medford on Thursday to listen to what Southern Oregon residents have to say about what the United States can do to become more energy independent. "In Washington we hear all the time from lobbyists and corporations about what we can and can't do about our reliance on foreign … Continue Reading
June 24, 2008
Wyden Brings Energy Independence Tour to Eugene on June 30th for Public Forum
Eugene, OR - Frustrated with high gas prices? Concerned about buying home heating oil this winter? If you have ideas on what to do about it, Oregon Senator Ron Wyden wants to hear them.Wyden will hold a public forum in Eugene on Monday to listen to what Lane County residents have to say about what the United States can do to become more energy independent. The forum is the first stop in Wyden's Energy Independence Tour."In Washington we hear all the time from lobbyists and corporations about … Continue Reading
October 18, 2007
Senators Question Administration Plan to Fill Strategic Petroleum Reserve
WASHINGTON - On the day that the price of oil reached an all-time high of $89.55 per barrel, seven U.S. Senators questioned the Administration's decision to reduce oil supplies by diverting millions of barrels of oil to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. "This action sends a message to the market place that the Administration is comfortable with current price levels," wrote U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Carl Levin (D-MI), Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Jack Reed (D-RI), Claire McCaskill (D-MO) and … Continue Reading
June 22, 2007
Wyden Applauds Passage of Senate Energy Legislation
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden issued the following statement following U.S. Senate passage of the Energy bill (H.R. 5). "Today, the Senate has taken a major step forward in setting a new course for America's energy policy, adopting provisions that will reduce the nation's use of energy, especially the use of oil. "First, the bill includes a program developed by the Senate Energy Committee on which I sit that will replace roughly 20% of our gasoline use with renewable fuels … Continue Reading
