Industry: Wyo Range bill too broad

By AP

Jackson, WY – Not everyone is pleased with a bill
introduced in Congress last week by Sen. John Barrasso to protect
the Wyoming Range from further energy development.
Bruce Hinchey of the Petroleum Association of Wyoming says the
legislation is too broad.
Hinchey says his organization recognizes there are certain areas
of the state's signature mountain range that should be protected.
But he says it doesn't support denying most of the range to
development.
The Petroleum Association does supports aspects of the bill that
protect the rights of existing lease holders.
The bill would prevent future leasing of the Wyoming Range. It
would respect existing lease rights and says companies could
voluntarily engage in buybacks or lease retirements.