Teno Roncalio

Teno Roncalio (1916-2003) was a lawyer and Democratic politician from Wyoming. Roncalio served five terms as a U.S. Representative for the State of Wyoming (1965-1967; 1971-1978). He worked diligently to block Project Wagon Wheel in Sublette County, Wyoming. Although his opposition failed to cut off funding for the project, the Atomic Energy Commission let the project die quietly as they also faced strong opposition from the Wagon Wheel Information Committee and other Wyoming residents in that area and from national environmental groups.

Additional content for this collection can be found in the "Inventory for collection.”

Project Wagon Wheel Fact Sheet, El Paso Natural Gas Company, May 19, 1969

Press release introducing plans for Project Wagon Wheel.

Resource Identifier
ah02160_000005-11
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 46, folder 7, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Letter from U.S. Rep. Teno Roncalio's Press Aide Kathy Karpan to Denver Post reporter Cal Queal, May 3, 1971

Karpan attempts to gather information about AEC experimention in Colorado with underground nuclear testing in preparation for potential AEC experimentation in Wyoming.

Resource Identifier
Letter to Denver Post
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 53, folder 4, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Letter from Denver Post reporter Cal Queal to U.S. Rep. Teno Roncalio's Press Aide Kathy Karpan, undated

Queal provides his observations of underground nuclear testing. 

Resource Identifier
Letter from Denver Post
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 53, folder 4, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Letter from U.S. Representative Teno Roncalio to Congressional Research Office Director Lester S. Jayson, May 5, 1971

U.S. Rep. Teno Roncalio writes to the Congressional Research Office asking for information regarding the AEC's projects to use underground nuclear explosions for natural gas development.

Resource Identifier
Letter to CRS
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 53, folder 4, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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"Additional Studies Under Way for Project Wagon Wheel," El Paso Natural Gas Company, May 18, 1971

Press release updating the public on developments regarding Project Wagon Wheel.

Resource Identifier
ah02160_000012-13
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 46, folder 7, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Letter from Sally H. Mackey to U.S. Representative Teno Roncalio, February 23, 1972

Sally Mackey writes to Roncalio that the town council designated a "Town of Pinedale Environmental Advisory Committee," which was preliminary to its name "Wagon Wheel Information Committee." 

Resource Identifier
ah02160_000254
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 53, folder 12, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Letter from Mary Ann Steele (Mrs. Wayne F. Steele) to U.S. Representative Teno Roncalio, March 12, 1972

Pinedale High School teacher Mary Ann Steele--who is versed in physics, chemistry, and geology--details her concerns to U.S. Rep. Roncalio regarding nuclear stimulation experimentation in Sublette County.

Resource Identifier
ah02160_000057-67
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 53, folder 3, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Letter from U.S. Representative Teno Roncalio to Atomic Energy Commission Chairman James R. Schlesinger, March 14, 1972

Roncalio recommends that the AEC schedule public hearings in Sublette County before going further with underground nuclear testing. Roncalio also expresses concerns about flaring radioactive gas and the inadequacy of proposed compensation to county residents for damages caused by the test.

Resource Identifier
ah02160_000053
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 53, folder 3, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Letter from U.S. Representative Teno Roncalio to Mrs. Wayne F. Steele (Mary Ann), March 20, 1972

U.S. Rep. Roncalio replies to Mary Ann Steele's letter of March 12, 1972, stating that he does not support flaring of gas produced by Project Wagon Wheel nor the compensations outlined by the AEC. Also that he is forwarding her letter to AEC Chairman James Schlesinger.

Resource Identifier
ah02160_000055-56
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 53, folder 3, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Letter from Mary Ann Steele to U.S. Representative Teno Roncalio, April 3, 1972

WWIC member Mary Ann Steele provides Roncalio with official WWIC comments on the draft environmental statement for Project Wagon Wheel and copies of letters she has written to AEC and EPA administrators.

Resource Identifier
ah02160_000335-348
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 53, folder 12, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Letter from El Paso Natural Gas Company's Project Wagon Wheel Director Philip L. Randolph to U.S. Representative Teno Roncalio, April 3, 1972

Randolph states to Roncalio that El Paso Gas views public hearings in Sublette County as premature, provides the reasons for those views, and encloses a letter from El Paso Gas to AEC Chairman James Schlesinger regarding public hearings.

Resource Identifier
ah02160_000305-308
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 53, folder 12, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Letter from El Paso Natural Gas Company News Representative Joseph T. Arnett to Steve Mackey, April 5, 1972

Arnett responds to Pinedale resident Steve Mackey's request for a list of public presentations on Project Wagon Wheel with a list dated March 11, 1969 through February 24, 1972.

Resource Identifier
ah02160_000371-373
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 53, folder 12, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Letter from U.S. Representative Teno Roncalio to WWIC member Sally Mackey, April 14, 1972

Roncalio provides Mackey with correspondence from El Paso Gas that he received about Project Wagon Wheel.

Resource Identifier
ah02160_000303-308
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 53, folder 12, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Letter from Grace Anderson to U.S. Representative Teno Roncalio, April 14, 1972

A Pinedale teacher writes Roncalio of results from a poll taken of the town's teachers and students regarding Project Wagon Wheel.

Resource Identifier
ah02160_000314
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 53, folder 12, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Letter from WWIC member Phyllis Birr to U.S. Representative Teno Roncalio, April 16, 1972

Birr provides Roncalio with her correspondence with the offices of U.S. Pres. Nixon, U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy, and the AEC's Division of Environmental Affairs.

Resource Identifier
ah02160_000322-328
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 53, folder 12, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Letter from U.S. Atomic Energy Commission Assistant General Manager for Energy and Development Programs J.J. Flaherty to U.S. Representative Teno Roncalio, April 20, 1972

J.J. Flaherty replies to Mary Ann Steele's and U.S. Rep. Teno Roncalio's letter of March 14 and March 20, 1972.

Resource Identifier
ah02160_000070-74
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 53, folder 3, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Letter from U.S. Representative Teno Roncalio to U.S. Atomic Energy Commission Assistant General Manager for Energy and Development Programs J.J. Flaherty, April 26, 1972

U.S. Rep. Teno Roncalio's reply to J.J. Flatherty's letter dated April 20, 1972,

Resource Identifier
ah02160_000075
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 53, folder 3, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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"Project Wagon Wheel: Prepared for distribution at the annual meeting of the Green River Valley Cattlemen's Association, April 29, 1972," El Paso Natural Gas Company

Resource Identifier
ah02160_000014-45
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 46, folder 7, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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List of panelists discussing Project Wagon Wheel at annual meeting of the Green River Valley Cattlemen's Association, April 29, 1972

Resource Identifier
ah02160_000375
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 53, folder 12, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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"Project Wagon Wheel: What It Is, Why It Should Be Stopped and How To Do It, A Statement of Opposition by the Honorable Teno Roncalio, May 1, 1972"

Resource Identifier
ah02160_000128-154
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 54, folder 3, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Letter from Wagon Wheel Information Committee member Sally H. Mackey to U.S. Represenative Teno Roncalio, June 7, 1972

Letter from Sally Mackey complimenting Roncalio on his speech at the Wyoming State Democratic Convention that resulted in a resolution asking for a moratorium on the Plowshare program and nuclear stimulation in particular. She also notes that Republicans on WWIC support Roncalio due to his support for WWIC efforts.

Resource Identifier
ah032035
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 53, folder 12, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Letter from U.S. Representative Teno Roncalio to Wagon Wheel Information Committee member Sally H. Mackey, June 12, 1972

Roncalio acknowledges Sally Mackey's letter of June 7, 1972, and states that on the day her letter was written he was on the floor of the U.S. House attempting, without success, to postpone for one year any authorizations for the entire Plowshare program.

Resource Identifier
ah032034
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 53, folder 12, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Letter from Wagon Wheel Information Committee General Chairman Floyd Bousman to U.S. Representative Teno Roncalio, June 21, 1972

Bousman relays WWIC questions regarding Roncalio's unsuccessful attempt to cut appropriations for Operation Plowshare and not leveraging an El Paso Gas pipeline request with cancelation of Project Wagon Wheel.

Resource Identifier
ah02160_000417
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 53, folder 12, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Letter from Boulder Irrigation District Secretary-Treasurer Floyd Bousman to AEC Division of Applied Technology's Assistant Director for Peaceful Nuclear Explosives John S. Kelly

Bousman states that members of the Boulder Irrigation District believe the AEC and/or El Paso Gas are dishonest about Project Wagon Wheel and that an engineering report by Dames & Moore and an ecological report by University of Wyoming Professor Herbert G. Fisser are "embarrassing" to El Paso Gas.

Resource Identifier
ah02160_000410-411
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 53, folder 12, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Letter from WWIC member Mary Ann Steele to AEC Division of Applied Technology Assistant Director for Peaceful Explosives John S. Kelly, July 1, 1972

Steele questions why the AEC has not acknowledged WWIC comments regarding the draft Environmental Impact Statement for Project Wagon Wheel.

Resource Identifier
ah02160_000440
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 53, folder 12, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Letter from U.S. Representative Teno Roncalio to Wagon Wheel Information Committee General Chairman Floyd Bousman, July 7, 1972

Roncalio replies to WWIC General Chairman Floyd Bousman's letter dated June 21, 1972.

Resource Identifier
ah02160_000415-416
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 53, folder 12, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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"The Energy Crisis: An AEC Overview" by Thomas O'Toole, The Washington Post, July 9, 1972

Interview with U.S. Atomic Energy Commission Chairman James Schlesinger.

Resource Identifier
ah02160_000426-429
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 53, folder 12, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Letter from Phyllis Birr to U.S. Representative Teno Roncalio, July 14, 1972

WWIC member Phyllis Burr asks Roncalio about the veracity of a quote from AEC Chairman James Schlesinger in a Casper newspaper that Project Wagon Wheel is postponed until 1977. She also points to a quote in the article noting the AEC and not El Paso Gas is the final judge about the project.

Resource Identifier
ah02160_000422
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 53, folder 12, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Letter from U.S. Representative Teno Roncalio to Mrs. Vincent Birr (Phyllis), July 27, 1972

Roncalio responds to Phyllis Burr's letter of July 14, 1972, that he believes the 1977 date quoted is a misprint and the interview with Schlesinger actually states 1974 is the earliest year for Project Wagon Wheel.

Resource Identifier
ah02160_000421
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 53, folder 12, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Letter from El Paso Natural Gas Company's Project Wagon Wheel Director Philip L. Randolph to WWIC member Mary Ann Steele, August 2, 1972

Randolph requests that the WWIC copy his company with correspondence the committee directs to the AEC so that El Paso Gas has more knowledge of the committee's issues with Project Wagon Wheel.

Resource Identifier
ah02160_000438-439
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 53, folder 12, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Letter from Wagon Wheel Information Committee to El Paso Natural Gas Company's Project Wagon Wheel Director Philip L. Randolph, August 15, 1972

Issue is taken by the WWIC regarding the committee's "official" comments.

Resource Identifier
ah02160_000436-437
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 53, folder 12, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Letter from WWIC member Mary Ann Steele to AEC Division of Applied Technology Director Gerald W. Johnson, August 28, 1972

Steele takes AEC officials to task for using the term "confusing" when it comes to WWIC "official" correspondence.

Resource Identifier
ah02160_000441-442
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 53, folder 12, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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"Why We Oppose the Wagon Wheel Project, prepared for the Wyoming Association of Soil Conservation Districts by the Wagon Wheel Information Committee, November 1972"

Resource Identifier
ah02160_000087-120
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 54, folder 1, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Letter from El Paso Natural Gas Company's Project Wagon Wheel Director Philip L. Randolph to U.S. Representative Teno Roncalio, November 22, 1972

El Paso Gas' Project Wagon Wheel Director Philip L. Randolph provides Roncalio with a copy of company letter sent to the chairman of the Pinedale Soil Conservation District Board of Supervisors regarding passage of a resolution by the Board opposing Project Wagon Wheel.

Resource Identifier
ah02160_000563-565
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 55, folder 1, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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"Project Wagon Wheel Today, prepared for distribution at the annual meeting of Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts, Cheyenne, Wyoming, November 30, 1972," El Paso Natural Gas Company

Informational document prepared by the El Paso Natural Gas Company to provide an update on Project Wagon Wheel.

Resource Identifier
ah02160_000001-4
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 46, folder 7, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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"Statement Expressing El Paso Natural Gas Company's Official Position Concerning the Straw Poll Conducted in Sublette County on November 7 in which the Voters Opposed the Wagon Wheel Project for the Nuclear Stimulation of Natural Gas in that County by a 4

Resource Identifier
ah02160_000681-685
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 55, folder 1, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Letter from John J. Christmann to U.S. House Speaker Carl Albert, January 4, 1973

Pinedale rancher, geological engineer, and independent oil producer John Christmann writes to Albert of his support for Roncalio's appointment to the Joint Committee for Atomic Energy (JCAE) due in part to Project Wagon Wheel.

Resource Identifier
ah02160_000614
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 55, folder 1, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Letter from U.S. Representative Teno Roncalio to U.S. House Speaker Carl Albert, January 8, 1973

Roncalio writes to U.S. House Speaker Carl Albert of his wish to be appointed to the Joint Committee for Atomic Energy.

Resource Identifier
ah02160_000616
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 55, folder 1, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Letter from Rock Springs, WY mayor Paul J. Wahata to U.S. Senator Clifford Hansen and U.S. Representative Teno Roncalio, January 17, 1973

The Rock Springs mayor writes to Roncalio and U.S. Senator Clifford Hansen of the city council's objections to Project Wagon Wheel due to subsidence issues caused by abandoned coal mines and to their support of Sublette County residents.

Resource Identifier
ah02160_000641-642
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 55, folder 1, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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"Energy Report / El Paso firm's worldwide gamble for gas put pressure on federal policy" by Richard Corrigan, National Journal, January 20, 1973

Magazine article describing the size and philosophy of the El Paso Natural Gas Company.

Resource Identifier
National Journal article
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 46, folder 8, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Letter from Mrs. Jean Gose to U.S. Representative Teno Roncalio, February 2, 1973

WWIC member Jean Gose congratulates Roncalio on his appointment to the Joint Committee for Atomic Energy, noting her primary interest is for him to oppose Project Wagon Wheel.

Resource Identifier
ah02160_000601
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 55, folder 1, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Letter from Wagon Wheel Information Committee General Chairman Floyd Bousman to U.S. Representative Teno Roncalio, February 22, 1973

WWIC General Chairman Floyd Bousman thanks Roncalio for his efforts during the WWIC visit to Washington, D.C., noting WWIC's disappointment that AEC Chairman James Schlesinger did not meet with them, but overall success of the visit.

Resource Identifier
ah02160_000653
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 55, folder 1, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Letter from U.S. Representative Teno Roncalio to Dr. Philip L. Randolph, Nuclear Group Manager, Energy Resource Development, El Paso Natural Gas Company, February 26, 1973

Roncalio writes a friendly letter to Philip Randolph stating that, although they have differences in regards to Project Wagon Wheel, he hopes they can work on a worthwhile project in the future.

Resource Identifier
ah02160_000658
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 55, folder 1, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Letter from U.S. Representative Teno Roncalio to Wagon Wheel Information Committee General Chairman Floyd Bousman, February 27, 1973

Roncalio responds to Floyd Bousman's letter of February 22, 1973, and includes information on a meeting he conducted with Wyoming Governor Stanley "Stan" Hathaway.

Resource Identifier
ah02160_000652
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 55, folder 1, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Letter from U.S. Representative Teno Roncalio to Mrs. John S. Mackey (Sally), March 14, 1973

Roncalio writes to Mackey that his office has distributed 100 copies of the draft environmental statement issued January 25 regarding Project Wagon Wheel to Sublette County and that the AEC has extended the public comment period on the statement.

Resource Identifier
ah02160_000261-262
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 53, folder 12, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Letter from Western Interstate Nuclear Board Executive Director Dr. Alfred T. Whatley to U.S. Representative Teno Roncalio, March 30, 1973

Whatley writes to Roncalio, whom he met in Washington, D.C., of his support for experimentation with nuclear stimulation of natural gas, due in part to the energy crisis driving the federal government to "proceed with these programs if they so desire."

Resource Identifier
ah02160_000782-783
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 55, folder 1, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Letter from Dr. Philip L. Randolph, Nuclear Group Manager, Energy Resource Development, El Paso Natural Gas Company to U.S. Representative Teno Roncalio,, May 2, 1973

Randolph relates to Roncalio that the sponsors of Project Rio Blanco have agreed to let El Paso Gas bring two busloads of Wyoming residents to view the planned detonation on May 17, 1973. Project Rio Blanco was located near Meeker, CO.

Resource Identifier
ah02160_000775-776
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 55, folder 1, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Letter from U.S. Representative Teno Roncalio to Wagon Wheel Information Committee General Chairman Floyd Bousman, May 4, 1973

Roncalio reacts to news of an announcement by AEC Chairman Dixy Lee Ray that Project Wagon Wheel is "dead as a doornall," reflecting that "doornails can come alive again."

Resource Identifier
ah02160_000757-758
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 55, folder 1, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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"Observations on Wildlife and Domestic Animals Exposed to the Ground Motion Effects of Underground Nuclear Detonations" by Donald D. Smith, D.V.M., Farm and Animal Investigation Branch, Monitoring Systems Research and Development Laboratory, National Envi

Environmental Protection Agency researcher Dr. Donald D. Smith's report on physical impacts to domestic animals and wildlife from underground nuclear experiments conducted since 1963.

Resource Identifier
Observations on Wildlife
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 46, folder 9, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Statement by Dr. Dixy Lee Ray, Chairman of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission for hearings on "Development, Growth, and State of the Nuclear Industry" before the Joint Committee on Atomic Energy, February 5, 1974

Dr. Dixy Lee Ray describes the Atomic Energy Commission's relationship with industry and discusses how nuclear power can address President Richard Nixon's "Project Independence," a program to descrease U.S. reliance on foreign energy sources.

Resource Identifier
Ray's statement
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 46, folder 5, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Undated cartoon labeled "Pixy Dixy's Portable Nuclear Pollution Reactor starring that great minstrel dutiful Dave Jenkins (not shown)"

Dr. Dixy Lee Ray is shown in a cart representing the Atomic Energy Commission driven by a mule labeled the "uninformed taxpayer USA" with wheels representing nuclear natural gas experiments including Project Wagon Wheel. Referred to in the cartoon is David Jenkins who was Ray's assistant.

Resource Identifier
Cartoon
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 46, folder 5, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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Letter from Wagon Wheel Information Committee Board of Directors member Mary Ann Steele to U.S. Senator Mike Gravel, February 19, 1974

The WWIC writes to enlist the assistance of U.S. Senator Mike Gravel from Alaska in their efforts to end nuclear stimulation experimentation under the AEC. Gravel was a vocal opponent of the AEC.

Resource Identifier
ah02160_000224-226
Citation
Teno Roncalio papers, Collection No. 2160, Box 55, folder 8, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
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