CHEYENNE - U.S. Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming has been named the first chairman of the newly formed Senate Western Caucus.

The caucus so far consists of senators from the Western states of Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, Nevada and Arizona, as well as members from Kansas, Nebraska and Louisiana. All are Republicans.

Barrasso spokesman Greg Keeley says any Democrat that holds "conservative values of the West" is welcome to join.

In a statement, Barrasso says the caucus opposes federal intrusion in the every day lives of Americans and opposes legislation that pushes economic progress through huge spending and strict environmental regulations.

The caucus introduced a bill that encourages development and the use of all energy resources, including wind, nuclear, oil, natural gas and clean coal.