Editor:

I want to encourage our constituents to take a few minutes to help us continue to get the word out about both the rate increases proposed by Rocky Mountain Power and the proposed changes to the BLM’s southwest Resource Management Plan (RMP) for multiple use. Both of these entities have failed to consider the long-term and short-term repercussions from both of these poorly thought-out decisions.

Many of our constituents and legislators have attended public meetings to voice our concerns and it seems as though our issues are not being seriously considered or given the proper level of influence or effect.

The Public Service Commission will ultimately make the decision to approve Rocky Mountain Power’s proposed increases. The BLM will make the decision to approve the Rock Springs RMP.

Thus, I would encourage everyone to contact the following entities:

Federal Legislators: Sen. John Barasso; Sen. Cynthia Lummis; Rep. Harriet Hageman; as well as BLM Wyoming State Director Andrew Archuleta; Kimberlee Foster, field manager from the Rock Springs BLM office; and Tracy Stone-Manning, BLM Director at 1849 C Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20240.

Also contact the Public Service Commission, Hansen Building, 2515 Warren Ave., Suite 300, Cheyenne, WY, 82002, or by email at wpsccomments@wyo.gov for comments on the open docket with Rocky Mountain Power. The PSC can also be contacted via email at wyomingpsc@wyo.gov or by phone at 307-777-7427.

The more Wyoming people who email, write or phone these entities the more it makes a difference. These are our public lands and the BLM’s mission statement states that they are for multiple use and sustained yield mission.

Rocky Mountain Power has to prove that their increases are just and reasonable — and they are NOT.

Thanks in advance for all of you who will take the time to respond. It’s important to our citizens, our businesses, our energy development, our ranchers, our recreation enthusiasts and for our state as a whole. 

Sen. Wendy Schuler

Evanston