Wyoming Governor and Governor-elect Issue Joint Statement on WE Soda Miner Reductions
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon and Governor-elect Eric Barlow issued a joint statement in Cheyenne on November 4 in response to soda ash producer WE Soda's announcement the same day concerning its mines in Sweetwater County, Wyoming: the company will reduce its number of miners. The two leaders said soda ash mining is a vital, legacy industry for Sweetwater County and Wyoming, and called the reduction in miners terrible news for this cornerstone industry.
The statement said the mines have long been a critical part of Sweetwater County's workforce economy, and that, as Governor and Governor-elect, they are especially concerned for miners and their families in southwestern Wyoming and are working diligently to bring resources to address the impacts of the reductions. WE Soda points to low-cost Chinese exports as well as production and transportation costs as reasons for the decision. The governors said they need to understand those pressures and identify practical steps at both the state and federal level that can be taken immediately to strengthen Wyoming's competitiveness and protect national security.
The statement also noted that the industry itself is going through changes in mining practice, transitioning from hard rock mining to solution mining, which will improve the global competitiveness of Wyoming's trona mines. The state is in discussions with the federal government, producers, utilities, workforce services, transportation stakeholders and others to look at all options for strengthening the market for this critical material.
On assistance, Wyoming's Department of Workforce Services, Unemployment Insurance, the Department of Family Services and Western Wyoming Community College, among others, are coordinating with representatives of WE Soda to confront the consequences of the announcement; the statement said Workforce Services will be available to help displaced workers and their families find the resources they need, and that the two leaders have reached out to local and statewide union leaders and will continue discussing the issues affecting their members.
Related: Wyoming Governor's Race: AP Calls the Election for Barlow
(Source: Office of the Governor of Wyoming)
Source: Office of the Governor of Wyoming
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：位于 Cheyenne 的怀俄明州议会大厦西立面与跃马铜像。Babymestizo 摄，CC BY-SA 3.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: The west facade of the Wyoming State Capitol in Cheyenne, with the Bucking Horse statue. Photo by Babymestizo, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
