According to a new report, Wyoming voters are more likely to vote for candidates who support using public lands for more than just oil and gas development.
Brendan Boepple is the assistant director with the State of the Rockies report put out by Colorado College. He says voters in Wyoming recognize the need for traditional energy, but would also like to see more wind and solar development in the near future.
"I think we're seeing a pretty good example of what a lot of people have been referring to as an ‘all the above’ energy strategy. Voters across the west want to see if we can continue to tap domestic traditional sources of energy like oil and gas and they recognize the value that has for local and rural economies but at the same time they would like to see us more diversified and mix their energy portfolio."
Voters want to protect some public lands from further development altogether. Survey participants also expressed concern over low levels of water and the preservation of working ranches and farms.
