08/13/08 Wyoming Democratic Party Daily News Roundup
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Aug 14, 2008 Posted by Lauri Elbing
Candidates focus on alternative energy
“Alternative sources of energy and conservation efforts will play a large role in reducing fuel prices and fixing the current energy crisis, two Democratic candidates for the U.S. Senate said in separate interviews. One of candidate Nick Carter's major campaign issues is creating a comprehensive energy plan that would set a goal of becoming independent from the Middle East for energy in 15 to 20 years….Goodenough's solutions include not using military force as a first option, working toward a balanced budget and reducing the demand for oil in the United States. Neither of the candidates see drilling in the Wyoming Range, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, or other "pristine places" as a viable option in the near future….”
***Estimates of heating costs this coming winter
“The Wyoming Public Service Commission says natural gas prices will go up for residential customers in most parts of the state this winter.” Includes a list of Wyoming cities' average monthly natural gas bills in January 2008 and the projected average bills in January 2009.
***Home heating bills to go up this winter in Wyoming
“Residential natural gas rates in Wyoming will increase an average of 32 percent statewide this winter, up from an average of $178.30 last January to a projected $234.90 next January, according to figures released Wednesday by the state Public Service Commission.”
“A federal judge in Wyoming has overturned a Clinton-era ban on road construction in nearly 60 million acres of national forest, extending a long-running dispute over U.S. Forest Service rules for large sections of undeveloped land….”
BLM outlines Powder River Basin grouse plan
“Well pads for coal-bed methane development will be limited on about a million acres of key sage grouse habitat in the Powder River Basin for the next few years while federal officials revise their management plan for the basin. Bureau of Land Management officials on Wednesday unveiled special stipulations for oil and gas development as part of the agency's effort to prevent the greater sage grouse from being listed under the Endangered Species Act. BLM Buffalo Field Manager Chris Hanson announced the agency would impose special permitting restrictions in designated sage grouse "focus" areas on about a million acres of public lands within the basin. The focus area generally lines up with the map of "core areas" outlined earlier this month in Gov. Dave Freudenthal's state plan to protect sage grouse and its habitat in Wyoming. The temporary restrictions will limit energy producers to one well pad per 640 acres within the focus area, unless operators can prove that their proposed projects will result in no loss of sage grouse or sage grouse habitat…..”
Forest Service mulls roadless ruling
“The U.S. Forest Service says it's reviewing a federal judge's ruling to overturn a 7-year-old ban on road building and logging in nearly a third of national forest land.”
Southeast Wyo Dems differ on smoking ban
“The two Democratic candidates for House District 3 in southeast Wyoming differ sharply on the need for a statewide smoking ban.”
Cheyenne considers under-21 server law
“The Cheyenne City Council is considering an ordinance that would allow people ages 18 through 20 to serve alcohol in the bar areas of restaurants.”
Devon proposes more than 200 wells near Riverton
“Devon Energy Production Co. is proposing to drill more than 200 gas wells on mostly public land nine miles southeast of here.”
"Schools of choice" is among terms the Natrona County school board has decided not to define.
Eastside council candidates talk about growth, OYD
“Three candidates with varying hopes for Casper's future are vying for one council seat in Casper's Ward III on Casper's east side.”
Write-ins could create competition
“Only one Casper City Council race will be formally contested in the primary election on Aug. 19, but there are possible write-in candidates to create competition in the general election.”
EDITORIAL: Don't change the ESA through the back door
LTE: Old friends know candidate's heart by THOMAS D. RUCKMAN, Worland Supporting Mark Gordon
Federal judge overturns 'roadless rule' -- again
“A federal judge in Wyoming has overturned a Clinton-era ban on road construction in nearly 60 million acres of national forest, extending a long-running dispute over U.S. Forest Service rules for large sections of undeveloped land.”
Gunman kills Arkansas Democratic Party Chairman
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Police say the 49-year-old chairman of the Arkansas Democratic Party has died hours after being shot by a gunman who burst into the state party headquarters in Little Rock. Police say Chairman Bill Gwatney died four hours after the shooting near the state Capitol.
Arkansas Democratic chairman shot at HQ dies
“The chairman of the Arkansas Democratic Party Bill Gwatney has died after being shot at its headquarters in Little Rock, officials said on Wednesday.”
BLM Will Protect Sage Grouse
“The Bureau of Land Management has set aside about one-million acres in the Powder River Basin as sage grouse focus areas.”Riverton clinic caters to Native Americans
“A new center near the Wind River Reservation is designed to bring better healthcare to the area.”Lummis Mailings Investigated
“The Secretary of State's office looked into campaign literature today (Wednesday) that was sent to Wyoming residents by U-S House Candidate Cynthia Lummis.”Heating Bills Will Be Higher
“Wyoming residents who heat their homes with natural gas are in for some big bills this winter.”New Technology Could Produce Energy Cheaply
“LARAMIE, WY (2008-08-13) Researchers at the Idaho National Laboratory have figured out a way to cheaply produce a new technology that could be an energy solution of the future. Scientist Steven Novack says his lab can create plastic sheets covered by billions of tiny antennas. The antennas collect heat, which could be used to produce electricity. Novack says they could use the plastic sheets to laminate hybrid cars or electronic devices. For example, an I-pod of the future might be able to power itself with this antenna plastic wrap. Novack says the method for converting the heat into electricity still needs to be developed, but he thinks this is a useful advance for people working in solar technology. Novack will present his findings on Wednesday at a meeting of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers in Jacksonville, Florida.”“On a mildly windy day, a turbine south of Wyoming Highway 230 might hum just a little. It is not enough to be obtrusive, and sometimes, it sounds a little like birds chirping.”
U.S. candidates tackle policy, philosophy
“The top issues facing the nation were hashed out Wednesday night as candidates for the Wyoming seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate revealed their policies and philosophies to Campbell County.” This article includes a rundown of the candidates responses for the House of Representatives.
***Wyoming ranks fourth in cost effective highways
“A recent study on state highway systems ranks Wyoming fourth in the nation for cost effectiveness on its 7,467 miles of state-controlled highways. The study, which is the 17th annual Reason Foundation Report on the Performance of State Highway Systems, states that Wyoming jumped from seventh in 2005 to fourth in 2006. It was second in 1998. The jump in ranks was mostly due to cost reductions and improvement of interstates in towns and cities. States received higher ranks for having the least cost with a highway system in good-condition. State Sen. Michael Von Flatern, R-Campbell County, and chairmen of the Senate’s Transportation, Highways and Military Affairs Committee, said the state actually will have a higher ranking in the next few years because of the additional money the state has given to road work during recent sessions….”
City Council hopefuls discuss fiscal responsibility
The number of candidates for City Council will be narrowed to two for each ward in the primary election. Those candidates will move on to the Nov. 4 election.
Democrats prepare to name replacement to county Board of Commissioners
“Plans are moving forward to find a replacement for Joe Oldfield’s county commission seat….The Sweetwater County Democratic Central Committee now has until Aug. 31 to deliver three names to the county commissioners for consideration for Oldfield’s seat. Commissioners Wally Johnson and Debby Boese will then have 20 days to choose a replacement to fill out the remainder of Oldfield’s term. If they can’t come to a decision within that time frame, Joyce Corcoran, chairman of the Sweetwater County Democratic Party, will then have to petition the clerk of district court to have a judge decide who fills the vacancy.”
EDITORIAL: Not a very exciting election year so far
“This has been a strange election year so far. With only a week to go before the primary election, it seems that few of the local candidates are actually campaigning to win their respective party’s nomination. Usually by this time in an election season, campaign signs are adorning every available space, but this year, I’ve not seen the plethora of signs. With the exception of the two presidential candidates and a few local hopefuls, there seems to be a marked lack of enthusiasm among candidates. Even our local summer parades, generally full of entries by candidates in an election year, showed a reduction in the number of entries by those hoping to get the most votes. By this time in an election year, there are many candidates walking door-to-door, but so far, there has been only one candidate’s brochure left at my door. Of course, many in the running have no opposition, so I guess they don’t feel the need to get their message out.…”
Senate candidate pays visit to Torrington
“On Monday morning, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Nick Carter made a campaign stop in Torrington. After an interview at the Telegram, he went to the Senior Friendship Center and then did some door-to-door visits. Carter, an attorney from Gillette, discussed his reasons for seeking one of the two U.S. senate seats from Wyoming. He said that after watching the political bickering and they “need a moderate voice from Wyoming.” He said when he was growing up his mother was a Democrat and his father was a Republican. He learned there were a lot of good ideas in both parties.”LTE: Both presidential candidates forget about protecting U.S. border by Al Hamburg
“When Tom Tancredo, Ron Paul and Duncan Hunter were in the race for president the illegal alien invasion was a major issue. Now that Obama and McCain have their nominations in the bag both are kissing up to the pro-amnesty Mexican La Raza group. Both are saying the same thing…”
LTE: Getting a gun in D.C. not so easy by Congresswoman Barbara Cubin
“In response to the Supreme Court’s verdict in District of Columbia vs. Heller, the D.C. City Council has already passed a new law to restrict gun owners in ways that fall just short of an outright ban…The District’s new law will still prohibit virtually all of the semi-automatic handguns that make up roughly 75 percent of the handguns sold in the United States in the past 20 years. The registration process for the few handguns that are available will be extremely burdensome, requiring multiple visits to the police station and passing a test on D.C. gun laws. So despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, the District will still maintain the most restrictive gun laws in the nation. As a member of the Board of Directors of the National Rifle Association, I have always worked to protect the rights that the 2nd Amendment guarantees. I also want to see our cities and communities safer, but the answer does not lie in curtailing the freedoms of law-abiding citizens. Despite having the most restrictive firearm laws in the nation, D.C. has consistently held one of the highest violent crime rates in the nation. This is not a coincidence and this failed social experiment must end. The ruling of the Supreme Court was certainly a step in the right direction; however, it is by no means the final step in securing the Second Amendment rights that the Constitution provides.”Devon eyeing 200 gas wells near Riverton
“Devon Energy Production Co. wants to drill more than 200 natural gas wells on mostly public lands about nine miles southeast of Riverton. The Bureau of Land Management is preparing an environmental impact statement for the proposal dubbed the Beaver Creek Coal Bed Natural Gas Development Project. The federal agency plans to conduct public meetings this month in Riverton and Lander to gain comment on the project, according to a public notice from the federal agency. Devon’s proposal is the latest to emerge from energy companies eying central Wyoming and Fremont County to produce natural gas.”State approves jail grant for county
Though Johnson County's application for a $5 million state grant to help pay for a new detention facility was not among those initially recommended for approval at the State Loan and Investment Board (SLIB) meeting, by the end of the meeting, the SLIB approved a $2 million grant for Johnson County.”
State board recommends additional $2.3 million for city sewage plant
Planet Jackson Hole - News by Planet Jackson Hole
LTE: Gas scam by Fred Whissel
Over the past year or so, as the future cost of a barrel of unrefined crude oil repeatedly rose, the gasoline service stations in Jackson were very quick to follow any upward bump with sometimes daily hikes in pump prices of their own, from three to five cents a gallon. However, for the past straight 25 days (as of Monday), the nationwide average price of gasoline has fallen each and every day, as the future cost of a barrel of unrefined oil has tumbled. What has happened in Jackson during the past three weeks? Our gasoline prices have fallen not a single penny. Is that what federal regulators call profiteering, or does it just show a complete lack of concern by the local monopolists for their long-suffering loyal customers? Not a single penny reduction in the price of gasoline. Also, over that same 25-day period of falling national gasoline prices, just about every station in Jackson – the always inexplicably high Shervin’s Independent Oil excepted – each day proclaimed the pump price of a gallon of regular octane at $4.099. Is that called collusion, or just price fixing? I wonder what Wyoming’s senators and representatives in Congress have to say about those gas facts. Probably nothing at all, since they have been part of the problem, not part of the solution. Is it difficult to see why the public’s rating of Congress is at an all-time low and still falling?”Study Started For CO/WYO Rapid Rail
Supporters of a high-speed rail system to link metro Denver with both mountain & Wyoming & New Mexico communities kicked off a $1.5 million study
Questions You Want To Ask The Candidates
With western states playing a large role in the presidential campaign, find out what questions westerners would love to ask the candidates
Smoking Ban Debate For Dem Hopefuls
The two Democratic candidates for House District 3 in southeast Wyoming differ sharply on the need for a statewide smoking ban
BLM Prepares Survey For 200 New Wells
Devon Energy Production Co. is proposing to drill more than 200 gas wells, using 26 square miles of mostly public land near Riverton
'Roadless' Forests Thing Of Past
A federal judge in Wyoming overturned a Clinton-era ban on road construction in nearly 60 million acres of national forest
Bush Tries To Overhaul Endangered Species Act
Bush's administration proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act to allow federal agencies rather than scientific reviews to make decisions on protected species threatened by projects
Forum Focuses On Rangeland Climate Shift
A September forum will focus on how climate change affects Wyoming rangelands & the sustainability of current grazing systems
Cheyenne Herald, the local advocacy journal
Cyndy! Markie! You children play nice together
“Wow! What came over these kids? One night in Riverton, at the televised PBS debate, they’re playing nice. Mark – polite as ever, with his uneven vertical hair style oiled and spiked. Cyndy - with her Cheshire cat spring-triggered smile, smirk and crooked neck on display for all to see. Then the next day, they began to pull pigtails and throw mud at each other. Mark ran ads showing Cyndy digging Wyoming deeper and deeper into the hole. Cyndy intoned about whether one can trust anything Mark says. Anything! Both television commercials borrow liberally from (they stole) information disseminated previously in the Cheyenne Herald. Once again without attribution, of course.”
WY Attorney Gen Comments on Roadless Ruling (Office of the Governor)
“Wyoming Attorney General Bruce Salzburg today said he's pleased about the ruling from U.S. District Judge Clarence Brimmer regarding Wyoming's lawsuit over the 2001 Roadless Rule. Attorney General Salzburg issued the following statement on hearing the news of the ruling: "Today, in a 102-page opinion, U.S. District Judge Clarence Brimmer issued a permanent injunction against the United States Department of Agriculture related to the '2001 Roadless Rule.' The Court found that in promulgating the Rule, the Department of Agriculture and its subagencies violated both the National Environmental Policy Act and the Wilderness Act, and that a permanent injunction was appropriate in light of the potential harm that the Roadless Rule poses to our national forests due to beetle infestation and forest fires. The Court specifically found that in designating some 58.5 million acres of national forest lands as 'roadless areas,' the Secretary of Agriculture had, in fact, created wilderness areas within the forests. Under the Wilderness Act, the authority to designate wilderness areas is exclusively vested in the Congress through legislation, not in a federal agency through its rule making authority.” We are pleased that the Court agreed with the State's position in the case; however, we anticipate an appeal by either the United States or one or more of the intervenors. As such, we consider the matter still in litigation."
Democratic Platform Calls for Homosexuals in the Military By Terence P. Jeffrey, Editor-in-Chief of CNSNews.com (right wing independent news source)
“The national platform approved at a Democratic Platform Committee meeting in Pittsburgh on Saturday includes language that calls for repealing the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy implemented by Democratic President Bill Clinton and for allowing homosexuals to serve openly in the military….”
Negative Ads
With just days to go before the Wyoming primary, two Republican candidates vying for the state's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives are turning up the heat with negative ads.Heating Bills Could Go Up Nearly $100 This Year
Alex Hannum Reports: Cheyenne residents, get ready, because you could be paying nearly 80 percent more to heat your home this winter.