Wyo. governor: Feds fail on research

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - The governor of the nation's top coal-producing state says the federal government's commitment to funding research into technology to capture carbon emissions linked to global warming has been woefully inadequate.

In an exchange last weekend with Stephen L. Johnson, administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal asked when the federal government would start funding research 'that's commensurate with the challenge and opportunity' of the carbon problem.

Freudenthal, a Democrat, addressed Johnson on Sunday in Traverse City, Mich., at the annual meeting of the National Governors Association. On Monday, he issued a statement detailing his comments to Johnson and expanding on his concerns.

In the statement, Freudenthal said he was disappointed with what he called Johnson's lack of response on whether there would be a significant increase in the federal commitment to research issues such as carbon capture and sequestration and other technology.

Freudenthal added the federal government has made only 'minuscule grants' of money for research considering the challenge of developing clean coal technologies.

'There appears to be no serious commitment to coal based research and development at the federal level,' Freudenthal said.

Figures show Wyoming produces more carbon dioxide per capita than any other state in the nation.

With its six coal-fired plants and booming mining and oil and gas industries, Wyoming produced 62.9 million metric tons of CO2 in 2003, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. And with just over a half-million residents, that's 276,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per resident -- more than any other state in the nation.

Johnson told The Associated Press over the weekend that climate change is an international issue, but states can help by promoting energy-efficient products such as light bulbs and building materials along with clean energy technology.

'Technology is the key to addressing global climate change,' Johnson said. 'Without advances in technology that are cost-effective, then we all have a serious problem.'

On Monday, Jessica L. Emond, deputy press secretary with the EPA in Washington, D.C., issued a statement responding to Freudenthal's concerns.

'The Bush Administration is actively pursuing advanced coal technologies and EPA is committed to ensuring that carbon capture and storage (CCS) is used in a manner that safeguards the environment,' Emond said. 'EPA is promoting an open dialogue with scientists, stakeholders, state regulatory agencies and members of Congress about CCS technology and its deployment.'

However, Freudenthal said he believes Wyoming may have to do more given the absence of a federal partnership.

Freudenthal recently wrote to state lawmakers encouraging them to address the legal issues surrounding carbon dioxide storage. The Legislature's Management Council this month instructed the interim judiciary committee to consider legal issues regarding carbon dioxide storage.

House Speaker Roy Cohee, R-Casper, said Monday he agrees with Freudenthal that the federal government has not been sufficiently committed to researching carbon issues.

'It's seriously important, coming from a state that produces an awful lot of minerals that are carbon-based,' Cohee said. 'And coming on the heels of the Kyoto discussions, and the fact that there is something going on with our weather, maybe it's time that we, the people, took something seriously.'

The Kyoto agreement aims to limit carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and factories in industrialized countries. The United States is not a party to the agreement while China and other developing countries are exempt from its obligations.

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