[Soda Ash] Royalty Cut Appeases Manufacturers

Reeling from the loss of hundreds of jobs over the last decade, severe trade barriers & stiff competition from China, southwest Wyoming's soda ash industry received a huge shot in the arm recently after the US Senate approved a trona royalty rate reduction. The bill will lower the federal royalty Wyoming trona companies pay from 6% to 2% for the next five years. Industry experts estimate the 4% royalty reduction will save around $5M annually. Industry officials said the reduction will allow companies to invest in new equipment that could lead to production increases and job stability. The four Green River companies operating in southwest Wyoming comprise the bulk of the US soda ash industry, valued at around $905M in 2005.