| Sunday, 27 March 2011 14:31 |
| CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - U.S. Rep. Cynthia Lummis has introduced a bill to ensure Wyoming soda ash production sustains its global competitiveness. The Wyoming Republican's bill would extend the current 2 percent soda ash royalty rate through 2016. The current royalty rate is scheduled to expire in October. Lummis indicates in a statement that the royalty rate would go up if her bill fails to pass. She says that would put U.S. soda ash producers at a competitive disadvantage because China unfairly distorts the international market. Wyoming produces more than 11 million tons of soda ash a year and the industry employs about 3,000 people in the state. |

