Tronox Testifies at Congressional Hearing on Soda Ash Royalties

On October 1, the U.S. Senate’s Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining, delivered the following opening statement at the subcommittee hearing on the American Soda Ash Competitiveness Act (S. 2031).

In September, Wyoming Senator Barrasso introduced the legislation with ranking member of the subcommittee, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), to maintain a competitive royalty rate on America’s natural soda ash. The bill will set the royalty rate on sodium compounds produced from federal land at 2 percent for five years.

Tronox’s Fred Von Ahrens, vice president for manufacturing at Green River, testified in support of S. 2031. See Mr. Von Ahren’s written testimony and video of his testimony.

The hearing also featured testimony in support of the legislation from Chris Douville, president of American Natural Soda Ash Corporation, and Rick Finn, federal affairs manager for the Port of Portland.

See the Industrial Minerals Association – North America blog coverage of the hearing.

See Wyoming Senator Barrasso’s opening remarks at the hearing.