CBS 4 Denver - U.S. House Candidates Talk Energy in Gillette

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CBS 4 Denver - U.S. House Candidates Talk Energy in Gillette

Four candidates for Wyoming's seat in the U.S. House tackled questions on environmentalists, sage grouse and other energy-related issues at a forum here.

The forum was held Thursday in conjunction with a coal-bed methane expo.

Participants included Buffalo-area rancher Mark Gordon, who was asked about his involvement in environmental groups and donations to Democratic candidates. Federal records show that Gordon has given $6,500 to Democratic candidates and the Democratic Central Committee over the last couple of years.

Gordon said he made the contributions out of frustration with the Republican-controlled federal government and the ''spending spree'' it was overseeing.

He said he got involved in the Sierra Club and Powder River Basin Resource Council because he is a rancher and environmentalists were ''trying to shut us down.''

''I thought if I were able to get involved, I might be able to make a difference, and I did,'' Gordon said.

He said he was able to promote ''wise and responsible development'' but eventually parted with the Sierra Club because the group strayed too far from ideas he could support.

Another Republican candidate, former State Treasurer Cynthia Lummis, voiced skepticism about a new U.S. Bureau of Land Management plan to restrict coal-bed methane development in the Powder River Basin to protect nesting sage grouse.

''If I were a member of Congress, I would say, 'Where is the science behind this?''' Lummis said to applause.

Lummis also spoke about proposed oil and gas leasing in the Wyoming Range, saying she wouldn't stake out a position on drilling in the scenic area until she'd spoken with the Lincoln County Commission. However, she said ''locking up'' the Wyoming Range and not allowing energy exploration and drilling might not be in the nation's best interest.

Retired Navy officer Bill Winney, who has a home near the Wyoming Range, said he is not thrilled about seeing drilling near there but believes that too much land is off-limits to energy production.

''I'm concerned about how much of the nation we have fenced off,'' Winney said.

Democratic candidate Gary Trauner, of Wilson, said there are plenty of places to drill for oil and gas and no development is needed in the Wyoming Range now.

Trauner said the key to the nation's energy needs is a comprehensive energy policy one involving oil, coal and natural gas as well as wind power and conservation.

Trauner is unopposed for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. House.

Other House candidates include Republican Michael Holland, of Green River, and Libertarian W. David Herbert, of Cody.

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