Congressman Troy Downing meets Carter County commissioners; local leaders press concerns about carbon sequestration, postal service and rural health funding

Congressman Troy Downing met with the Carter County Commission on a scheduled visit to discuss federal priorities, local needs and federal permitting questions. Downing said the appropriations process has brought 14 locally advocated projects into funding consideration this cycle and that applications will open again in the spring.

The congressman told commissioners the recent federal shutdown has hampered constituent services, citing trouble reaching Veterans Affairs and other federal offices. “It’s causing a lot of issues, especially… our veterans affairs director is having trouble… because the VA is not answering phone calls,” Downing said, and he urged a quick resolution so agencies such as USDA and FEMA’s flood-insurance office can resume regular service.

Downing discussed agriculture issues that he said are a high priority for the district after reports of proposed imports from Argentina. He described a pending label bill (mCOOL) being introduced in the House agriculture committee and said he and several colleagues have pressed the administration on the potential harm to U.S. ranchers. “We got 14 of them into appropriations this last cycle,” he said of locally submitted projects, adding that he will advocate for qualifying projects in appropriations and urged county leaders to keep sending requests.

County officials raised several pressing local concerns. Commissioners and residents described widespread postal-service staffing problems at rural post offices and contract stations, including places with only a few dozen residents; they said gaps in hours and service are adding hardship for remote communities. One participant described local impacts: short staffing at small offices and constraints that make it harder for EMTs and local health providers to rely on timely service.

A major focus of the meeting was a proposed carbon sequestration project that county leaders said has drawn strong local opposition. The commission reported that the Bureau of Land Management approved a draft environmental assessment (EA) for part of the project rather than preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) and that the county has appealed the EA decision. The chair said Denbury, the developer named in discussion, has not yet applied to drill the proposed test well or completed required state permit steps.

“The EA is approved, which means that there’s no EIS,” the chair said, and added the commission has pushed for a comprehensive EIS because the draft EA, they said, contains inaccuracies. The county asked for targeted agency consultation with BLM and was denied on the grounds the project was already too far along.

Downing said he would look into whether congressional or administrative avenues exist to influence the environmental-review track, but cautioned that many permitting and review decisions are in the hands of federal agencies and state boards. He suggested next steps for the county’s advocacy: participate in the state permitting and comment periods (including the state oil and gas board and a state land board review for a test well on state land) and ask the county’s congressional delegation for assistance in raising local concerns with the relevant federal agencies.

Commissioners also pressed the congressman on the scale and cost of sequestration incentives and tax credits; one commissioner said the grant program backing sequestration projects could total between $13 billion and $18 billion and argued the projects “produce absolutely nothing.” Downing described how tax-credit reform or repeal would be difficult given current Senate rules but said he would press for clarity on which projects would be grandfathered if credits were restricted.

Downing closed by raising energy and transmission issues: he warned that new loads such as large data centers require both generation and upgraded transmission, discussed options including natural gas and small modular nuclear technology, and urged local officials to consider infrastructure and rate impacts when weighing new development.

Votes at a glance: The commission approved the proceedings for 10/16/2025 after Commissioner Pam moved for approval and Commissioner Dan seconded; the Chair called for a voice vote and recorded three ayes. The motion carried.

The meeting concluded with Downing offering follow-up assistance: county officials said they would forward documents and specific requests so his office could advocate for them in appropriations and flag regulatory questions with agency staff. The commission paused its recording after the congressman’s departure and said it would follow up on BLM appeals and state permitting windows.