Domestic Energy the Theme of Lummis Visit to WRI

February 19, 2009

Cynthia Lummis, who was sworn in on January 6, 2009, as Wyoming’s representative in the U.S. House, made Western Research Institute (WRI) a key stop as she swung through southern Wyoming on February 19.

Wyoming is an energy state, contributing domestic Btu in the form of coal, coal bed methane, oil and gas, and wind. WRI scientists and engineers work with industry and the U.S. Department of Energy to develop cleaner, more efficient, technologies for using traditional fossil energy, biomass and other energy sources.

“We have to use science to educate Washington about the cleaner future of coal,” Congressman Lummis said.

She expressed particular interest in “green coal” technologies under development at WRI. One combines renewable biomass with coal in power plant combustion and nearly eliminates carbon emissions not by sequestering CO2 underground but by adding it to the fuel mix.

Coal upgrading technologies approaching commercial readiness at WRI reduce mercury and other pollutants in existing power plants.

Congressman Lummis was recently named to the House Natural Resources Committee, the House Agriculture Committee, and the House Budget Committee.