Natural Resources Committee News

San Joaquin Valley Farmers Initially Slated to Get Fraction of Yearly Water Allocations

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 23:00:00 GMT

The Obama Administration’s Bureau of Reclamation today announced that farmers in California’s San Joaquin Valley would initially receive an estimated 30 percent of their allocated water supplies for 2012.

Despite experiencing near record precipitation last year, farmers and communities once again face the threat of another man-made drought due to federal regulations that will divert water supplies away from farmers in order to help a three-inch fish. In 2009, the man-made drought cost thousands of farm workers their jobs, inflicted up to 40 percent unemployment in certain communities, and fallowed hundreds of thousands of acres of fertile farm land. Although reservoirs helped store water last year, much of the water was lost to the ocean in light of inadequate storage and federal regulations. As a result, there may not be enough stored water this year and next if near record low precipitation continues over the next few months.

“The economy of California’s San Joaquin Valley depends on a stable and reliable water supply. It’s incomprehensible how, after thousands of workers lost their jobs and hundreds of thousands of acres of farm land dried up, that we are staring at another disastrous man-made drought,” said Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings. “Unlike the Obama Administration and Pelosi-led Congress that stood by and did nothing to help the plight of the San Joaquin Valley, Republicans have a comprehensive solution to put an end to this reversible situation so that farmers have access to the water supply they need.”

“This year’s water allocation dramatically highlights the need for urgent action to save our valley from yet another year of devastating drought at the hands of the federal government. Nothing short of a comprehensive plan as passed by the Natural Resources Committee last week to prevent further economic devastation is needed,” said Congressman Devin Nunes (CA-21).

“A 30 percent allocation is unacceptable. We had one of the wettest years in 2011, and instead of storing the water for future use, we let thousands of acre-feet of water flow from the Delta into the Ocean every day. Without adequate storage, we will continue to see this problem year after year,” said Congressman Jeff Denham (CA-19). “We can solve this problem. My amendment to H.R.1837, which passed out of the Natural Resources Committee, will allow for more storage construction and allow families and farmers to plan ahead in order to promote economic growth and create jobs.”

Last week, the Natural Resources Committee passed with bipartisan support H.R. 1837, legislation to prevent future California man-made droughts. This comprehensive solution will bring water supply certainty to the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys, protect 30,000 jobs, generate millions in federal revenue, and decrease reliance on foreign food sources.

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Obama Administration’s Skyrocketing Gasoline Prices Threaten American Jobs, Economic Recovery

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:40:00 GMT

Ripped from the Headlines...

Higher gasoline prices could stall recovery, Obama’s re-election, Boston Herald, 2/21/12

“By summer, some analysts said, you could be paying $4 for a gallon of gas, almost as high as the record set in the summer of 2008. A price that high could cripple the still-fragile recovery…The average price for a gallon of regular gas in the Midwest was $3.41 last week, up 32 cents from a year ago and $1.59 more than the day Obama became president…In Los Angeles, the price of regular unleaded already is $4.93 a gallon and premium $5.09 at some gas stations, and the escalating fuel costs are expected to ripple throughout the economy, affecting everything from groceries to air fares.”

Obama’s gas-price spike, Washington Times Editorial, 2/20/12

“Here we go again. Gasoline prices are rising rapidly and already have shattered the $4-a-gallon mark in California. Industry analysts say the all-time national average record of $4.11 could be shattered this summer…This latest gas-price jolt is predictable. President Obama has done much to impede the supply of petroleum products to consumers. Most particularly, he exploited the 2010 BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico as an excuse to clamp down on oil drilling in the Gulf and also along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.”

Surging gas prices threaten to derail economic recovery, LA Times, 2/20/12

“Just as the recovery is finally looking real, surging fuel prices are once again looming as a major threat to the financial health of U.S. consumers and the broader economy…Nationally, drivers started this week paying on average $3.565 for a gallon of regular gas, up more than 5% in the last month…many consumers remain on edge, burdened by heavy debts and very cautious about spending. With high unemployment…analysts say the U.S. recovery remains highly vulnerable to external shocks, perhaps none more so than a surge in gas prices.”

Gas price spike pumping up fears, Chicago Tribune, 2/20/12

“Fears of $5 per gallon gasoline are in the back of some motorists' minds, jeopardizing the nascent economic recovery…Whether they break a record or not, rising gas prices could stunt the nation's sluggish economic recovery. Economists say that higher oil prices may have crimped retail sales…The new economic worries are eerily reminiscent of what happened about this time a year ago when political turmoil flared in Egypt and elsewhere in the oil-rich region, sending crude prices sharply higher for months.”

Oil jumps to 9-month high after Iran cuts supply, AP, 2/21/12

“Oil prices jumped to a nine-month high above $105 a barrel on Monday after Iran said it halted crude exports to Britain and France in an escalation of a dispute over the Middle Eastern country's nuclear program…Iran's Oil Minister Rostam Qassemi had warned earlier this month that Tehran could cut off oil exports to "hostile" European nations. The 27-nation EU accounts for about 18 percent of Iran's oil exports.”

As part of the American Energy Initiative, House Republicans last week passed H.R. 3408, a bipartisan plan that will remove government barriers to American energy production, create over 1.2 million jobs, help lower gasoline prices and strengthen our national and economic security. The bill would expand offshore energy production, open less than three percent of ANWR for oil and natural gas production, encourage the development of 1.5 trillion barrels of oil shale in the Rocky Mountain West, and require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to approve the Keystone XL pipeline within 30 days.

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Obama Administration Comprehensive Conservation Plan Threatens Chincoteague Jobs, Economy Obama Administration Comprehensive Conservation Plan Threatens Chincoteague Jobs, Economy

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Today, the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs held an oversight hearing on, “Fish and Wildlife Service’s Proposed Comprehensive Conservation Plan and its Potential Devastating Impact on the Economy of the Town of Chincoteague, Virginia.”

The Town of Chincoteague attracts approximately 1.4 million people annually because of the Island’s beautiful beaches, world famous Chincoteague ponies and access to other wildlife at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Tourism is the most important economic activity in the Town with nearly 30 percent of Chincoteague workers directly dependent on tourism-related industries.

By law, the Secretary of the Interior must prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) for Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge to determine future management of the site. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has outlined three potential management alternatives, one of which includes demolishing the current beach front parking lot and replacing it with an off-site transit system for public access to the beach. This proposal would have drastic economic ramifications on the heavily tourist-reliant town which could cost hundreds of jobs and undercut Chincoteague’s economy.

“The fact that the Fish and Wildlife Service is moving forward with one option, while at the same time telling the public that they are reviewing all options, is certainly contrary to at least the spirit of the National Environmental Policy Act. This process lacks transparency and indicates an unwillingness to work with either small businesses or the local Chincoteague community and begs the question as to when this Administration will stop placing the welfare of its bureaucracy over the welfare of the citizenry,” said Subcommittee Chairman John Fleming (LA-04).

During the course of the hearing, it became clear that the USFWS applied for Department of Transportation money to buy the Maddox Family Campground which implements one of the CCP alternatives.

“This is a classic example of an over reaching paternalistic federal government imposing its will without regard for the needs, desires, or economic well being of the people. The town, the county, and the Virginia House of Delegates have all adopted resolutions disapproving of any effort to expand the boundaries of the Refuge within the town to establish a Disney-like transit system. It is unacceptable that the Refuge would continue to pursue a plan that has drawn such deep objections. Moving this project forward ahead undermines the integrity of the public process. The refuge is sending a clear signal that the public process is nothing more than a pro forma exercise with a foregone conclusion,” said Congressman Scott Rigell (VA-02).

Last month, Rep. Scott Rigell sent a letter to Director Dan Ashe expressing frustration over the surprise announcement of Federal Grant Money awarded to the USFWS for the development of a Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge ‘Park-and-Ride.’ Read the letter here.

According to Chincoteague’s Mayor John Tarr, the USFWS’s proposed CCP disregards the unique character of the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and its invaluable economic significance to the town. “The Virginia portion of Assateague Island is a Wildlife Refuge inside a National Seashore Park. This is different than any other Wildlife Refuge in the country, but the proposed CCP doesn’t even recognize public beach recreation at all.” The most worrisome aspect of the USFWS’s recent actions is their effort to replace Chincoteague’s current beach front parking lot with a trolley system, a proposal the local community adamantly opposes. “Their policy of implementing transit in parks and purchasing property in our town limits – both ideas that we oppose because they are completely unnecessary - is one that will kill jobs, crush investment and create economic uncertainty in our Town.”

Ms. Wanda Thornton, a member of the Accomack County Board of County Supervisors, voiced the outrage of the local community regarding USFWS’ decision-making process. “Our concerns have been ignored, we have been lied to, we have been told that no matter what we say the refuge manager has 51% of the vote, and this process underway at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge holds the opinions of the local population in contempt. People in the Town of Chincoteague are fearful for their jobs, they are fearful that their investments in local businesses or restaurants may be wiped out because a local refuge manager wants to shut down the current ocean-accessible beach and force tourists to ride into the refuge on a mass transit shuttle.”

Local business owner Scott Chesson spoke of the importance direct access to Chincoteague’s beaches brings to local businesses, and the potential job and economic losses Chincoteague will suffer if USFWS proceeds with the development of offsite parking. “Once a small seaside fishing village, our Island has turned into a tourist destination and a revenue generator for Accomack County and the State of Virginia. Our Town now boasts a total of 962 Hotel rooms, 1143 camp sites and 670 rental homes and cottages. Most, if not all of these accommodations have an occupancy rate of 90+ % during the summer beach season. AOL Travel named our Island the #1 Beach Town in the entire country in 2011. The beach at the Assateague National Seashore has established our Island as a premier vacation destination for millions of people all over our country. A reduction or elimination of parking at the beach will change all that. Jobs will be lost, businesses will close and real-estate investments on the Island of Chincoteague will be worth next to nothing.”

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Committee Takes Bipartisan Vote to Pass Plan to End Man-Made California Drought, Create Jobs and Ensure Food Security

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:45:00 GMT

The House Natural Resources Committee today passed H.R. 1837, legislation to prevent future California man-made droughts with a bipartisan vote of 27 to 17. This comprehensive solution will bring jobs and water supply certainty to the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys in California and decrease reliance on foreign food sources.

The Pelosi-led Congress did nothing for four years as onerous environmental regulations caused unemployment to reach 40% in some California communities and hundreds of thousands acres of fertile agriculture fields to go dry. With current precipitation levels near record lows, Republicans are not going to stand idly by. The plan that passed the Committee today protects 30,000 jobs and generates millions in federal revenue, while ensuring that both northern and central California receives a reliable water supply. The plan provides a balance of flows that will help people and fish.

“We are all aware of the human and economic tragedy that occurred in California’s Central Valley in 2009 and 2010 when hundreds of billions of gallons of water were diverted in the name of the Delta Smelt,” said Water and Power Subcommittee Chairman Tom McClintock (CA-04). “This policy fallowed a quarter million acres of productive farmland threw thousands of hard-working families into unemployment and devastated communities throughout the region. H.R. 1837 was introduced in response to this man-made drought. The Water and Power Subcommittee held two public hearing on the measure and over the course of eight months more than 60 northern California water agencies were consulted and the result is an unprecedented consensus reflected in the legislation presented today. The sum total of this work broadens the measure to resolve long-standing disputes between Northern and Central California water users and brings the full force of federal law to protect the senior water rights held by Northern California areas of origin, and assures greater access to water by the communities throughout the region.”

“By passing this bill, Republicans are taking action to end the man-made drought caused by government regulations and environmental lawsuits,” said Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04). “My California colleagues have worked tirelessly to ensure future generations of Californians will not have to suffer through more misguided government regulations that threaten their livelihood and put the needs of fish before people.”

Background:

In 2009, federal regulations to protect a 3-inch fish - the Delta smelt - led to the deliberate diversion of over 300 billion gallons of water away from San Joaquin Valley farmers. This cost thousands of farm workers their jobs, inflicted up to 40 percent unemployment in certain communities, and fallowed hundreds of thousands of acres of fertile farmland.

The Pelosi-led Congress did nothing to reverse the plight of the San Joaquin Valley and reportedly obstructed Republican actions to reverse the situation. H.R. 1837, as amended, reflects Republican promises to avoid another man-made drought.

The bill:

Restores water deliveries to communities by codifying the historic, bipartisan State/Federal agreement known as the “Bay-Delta Accord.”
Reforms punitive federal laws, the Central Valley Project Improvement Act and the San Joaquin River Restoration Settlement Act, in order to provide fairness to ratepayers, promote transparency and accountability, and save taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.
Allows water users to pay off federal debt early.
Protects and secures private property and senior water rights.

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Committee Passes Secure Rural Schools, PILT Legislation to Create Jobs, Stimulate Rural Economies & Restore Forest Health

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:22:00 GMT

The House Natural Resources Committee today passed H.R. 4019, the Federal Forest County Revenue, Schools and Jobs Act of 2012, by a vote of 26 to 17.

The bill aims to restore economic stability in forested counties that lost valuable revenue used to support schools, infrastructure and emergency services when the timber industry sharply declined in the 1990s due to federal regulations and lawsuits. The bill will create jobs, foster forest health and provide a steady revenue stream to rural communities through restoration of active, healthy forest management. The bill also authorizes a five year extension of the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program and modifies the cabin fee formula to make if more predictable and affordable for families who own cabins in our National Forests.

“Today we acted to take the first step in helping rural communities get back on their feet. Congress needs to act on Secure Rural Schools in a way that creates jobs and provides long-term economic and revenue certainty. This plan will revitalize rural economies and create much-needed jobs by allowing communities to actively manage their forests through safe, responsible timber production,” said Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings.

Specifically, the Federal Forest County Revenue, Schools and Jobs Act of 2012:

Creates a County, Schools and Revenue Trust to provide a dependable source of revenue for rural counties that currently depend on SRS.

Establishes an Annual Revenue Requirement (ARR) for each National Forest System unit, based on an average of gross receipts from 1980-2000. Of the ARR, 65% is shared with the counties through the County Revenue and Schools Trust and 35% is directed to the federal Treasury.

Provides the Forest Service authority to carry out County Revenue and Schools Trust Projects in order to meet the required Annual Revenue Requirement (ARR). Trust Projects may include timber sales; issuance of grazing permits; issuance of special permits involving land use, minerals, power, or recreation; and projects implementing a community wildfire protection plan.

Requires that each federally approved Trust Project be subjected to a public comment period and administrative appeal, and required to undergo an “environmental report” that identifies and mitigates potential environmental impacts.

Authorizes a transition period to continue making payments to counties and schools while the Forest Service begins the process of identifying and implementing Trust Projects.

Authorizes a five year extension for mandatory full funding of the Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program to compensate local governments for lost property tax revenues on non-taxable federally owned land.

Includes cabin fee fairness language from H.R. 3397, the Cabin Fee Act of 2011 – which passed out of Committee in November 2011 – modifying the current cabin fee formula to make it more predictable and fair for families who own cabins in our National Forests.

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House Passes Bipartisan American Energy Bill to Create Over a Million Jobs and Lower Energy Prices

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 23:30:00 GMT

Today the Full House of Representatives passed H.R. 3408, with a bipartisan vote of 237-187. The legislation is a bipartisan plan to expand offshore energy production, open less than three percent of ANWR for oil and natural gas production, encourage the development of 1.5 trillion barrels of oil shale in the Rocky Mountain West, and approve the Keystone XL pipeline. The plan will create over 1.2 million jobs, raise over $4.3 billion in new federal revenues, help lower gasoline prices and strengthen our national and economic security.

“The American people overwhelmingly support expanding production of our own energy resources. Increased American energy production means more jobs, lower gas prices and less reliance on unstable foreign energy. While the Obama Administration continues to go out of its way to lock up American energy resources, Republicans in the House are moving a bipartisan plan to open more areas for energy production and job creation,” said Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings. “As gasoline prices continue to rise to almost double what they were when President Obama took office and Iran continues to strain foreign oil supply, Americans are demanding action. Republicans are responding with this action plan to create jobs and grow the economy through new American energy production. The only question is, will the Democrat controlled Senate and President Obama stand in the way or become part of the solution?”

Background:

Offshore Energy Production. The plan would require the Administration to move forward with new offshore energy production in areas containing the most oil and natural gas resources – including the Atlantic Coast, Pacific Coast and portions of the Eastern Gulf of Mexico. It requires the Secretary of the Interior to conduct oil and natural gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and offshore Virginia that have been delayed or cancelled. It establishes fair and equitable revenue sharing for coastal states. Click here to learn more.

ANWR. The plan would open less than 3 percent of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in Alaska to responsible energy development by directing the Interior Secretary to establish lease sales in the North Slope. The North Slope of ANWR was specifically set aside in 1980 by President Jimmy Carter and Congress for oil and natural gas development. ANWR contains approximately 10.4 billion barrels of oil and at peak production could supply the U.S. with up to 1.45 million barrels of oil per day. Click here to learn more.

Oil Shale. The plan would create new American jobs by setting clear rules for the development of U.S. oil shale resources and promoting shale technology research and development. It directs the Secretary of the Interior to issue additional Research, Development & Demonstration (RD&D) and commercial leases and makes permanent the Resource Management Plan amendments and commercial oil shale regulations published guidelines by the Department in November 2008. Click here to learn more.

Keystone XL pipeline. The plan would create a path forward for construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, a project that would create tens of thousands of jobs and deliver nearly a million additional barrels of Canadian oil per day to U.S. refineries. The legislation takes politics out of the pipeline decision by removing the president’s authority over the pipeline’s permit and giving it to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. It instructs FERC to approve the pipeline within 30 days if the permit remains in compliance with State Department’s Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), which concluded building the pipeline was the “preferred” option. The legislation also gives FERC 30 days to approve the Nebraska re-route once the environmental review is complete and the state’s governor has approved it. Click here to learn more. (Courtesy House Energy and Commerce Committee).

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National and Local Organizations Support Committee Efforts to Create Jobs and Restore Healthy Forest Management

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:00:00 GMT

Today, the Committee will mark up H.R. 4019, the Federal Forest County Revenue, Schools and Jobs Act of 2012, a long-term solution that would provide rural counties with a stable revenue stream, create jobs and grow rural economies.

Numerous national and local organizations, including local officials from 70 counties in 13 states, have contacted Congress to show their support for Committee efforts to create a sustainable revenue stream for rural counties by restoring active, healthy forest management.

What They’re Saying:

National Association of Counties

“NACO applauds the Committee’s commitment to addressing job creation and enhancement of rural forest economies by addressing the Federal governments continued inability to effectively manage our federal lands. On behalf of the nation’s 3,068 counties, I thank you for your continued support for these programs critical to America’s counties.”

California Farm Bureau Federation

“Active forest management particularly makes sense in California, as each year we experience more catastrophic wildfires, primarily as a result of immense fuel loading being created in our national forests…This bill works to address a very important issue in our rural communities.”

Ron Walter, Chelan County Commissioner, WA State

“Elected county officials would prefer to share in the revenue from production in healthy forests that are a part of our community fabric, whether those lands are generating biomass or timber products, mineral, energy production, recreation or grazing. Effective management of our federal forests will create much needed, family-wage jobs in our resource dependent communities while providing sufficient revenue sharing to county governments and schools through the historic 25% revenue sharing agreements.”

American Land Rights Association

“This legislation is another excellent step in Chairman Hastings ongoing efforts to promote responsible forest management and benefit rural communities.”

American Loggers Council

“This is good, common sense legislation that will create jobs and help to restore the health of our nation's public forest lands. Timber dependent communities across the nation need the funds that sustainable forest management can provide for both schools and county road improvement projects."

Organizations:

American Land Rights Association
American Loggers Council
California Farm Bureau Federation
Federal Forest Resource Coalition
Louisiana Forestry Association
National Association of Counties
Off-Road Business Association
Oregon Women in Timber
Partnership for Rural America
Public Lands Council

Counties:

Ada County, Idaho
Angelina County, Texas
Bonner County, Idaho
Box Elder County, Utah
Cache County, Utah
Calaveras County, California
Cherokee County, North Carolina
Clallam County, Washington
Clark County, Idaho
Cowlitz County, Washington
Curry County, Oregon
Custer County, South Dakota
Del Norte County, California
Douglas County, Oregon
Duchesne County, Utah
El Dorado County, California
Fannin County, Georgia
Ferry County, Washington
Fremont County, Idaho
Glenn County, California
Granite County, Montana
Grays Harbor County, Washington
Houston County, Texas
Humboldt County, California
Idaho County, Idaho
Iron County, Utah
Jackson County, North Carolina
Jackson County, Oregon
Jefferson County, Montana
Jefferson County, Oregon
Lake County, Oregon
Lassen County, California
Liberty County, Florida
Lincoln County, Montana
Macon County, North Carolina
Marion County, Oregon
Mariposa County, California
Mendocino County, California
Modoc County, California
Mono County, California
Murray County, Georgia
Nevada County, California
Newton County, Texas
Otero County, New Mexico
Pendleton County, West Virginia
Pocahontas County, West Virginia
Polk County, Oregon
Randolph County, West Virginia
Sabine County, Texas
San Augustine County, Texas
Sevier County, Utah
Shelby County, Texas
Shoshone County, Idaho
Sierra County, California
Sierra County, New Mexico
Skagit County, Washington
Skamania County, Washington
Snohomish County, Washington
Stevens County, Washington
Tehama County, California
Tillamook County, Oregon
Union County, Georgia
Wakulla County, Florida
Wallowa County, Oregon
Wasatch County, Utah
Wasco County, Oregon
Washington County, Idaho
Washington County, Oregon
Washington County, Utah
Yuba County, California

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Indian and Alaska Natives Support Plan to Increase Energy Production, Job Creation, on Tribal Lands

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 22:00:00 GMT

Today, the Subcommittee on Indians and Alaska Native Affairs held a legislative hearing on H.R. 3973, the Native American Energy Act that promotes and encourages increased energy production on tribal lands by reducing government barriers and streamlining burdensome procedures.

The Native American Energy Act addresses specific concerns from various Indian County leaders about getting approval from the Secretary of the Interior for energy development. Unfortunately, bureaucratic and legal barriers have limited the ability of tribal governments and Alaska Native Corporations to promote job creation and economic growth by developing their own resources.

“For too long, the Federal Government has stood in the way of Native Americans looking to develop their lands for energy production,” said Subcommittee Chairman Don Young (AK-At-large). “My bill will give America’s tribes and Alaska Natives what they are seeking—more control over their own lands and less intrusion from the Federal Government. The Native American Energy Act will reduce the number of burdensome regulations while also streamlining the process they have to go through in order to develop their lands. This is a win-win piece of legislation that will give Indian tribes and Alaska Natives exactly what they are seeking—more control over their lands in order to be more self-sufficient.”

“The Native American Energy Act contains common sense measures to streamline and promote Native American energy and other natural resources development. This bill is a result of intensive consultation with tribes across the country that is involved in energy exploration, development, and production,” said Rep. Paul Gosar (AZ-01). “It contains measures that tribes requested of the Committee, rooted in the principle of increasing Native Americans’ control over their lands’ resources. These tribes know best, because they must live with the status quo that is stifling their economic prosperity.”

At the hearing, Indian and Alaska Native leaders expressed support for the Native American Energy Act.

Wilson Groen, President and CEO of Navajo Nation Oil and Gas Production acknowledge the problems facing Indian Country, “as the Subcommittee knows, there is a long list of impediments to energy resource development on Indian lands.” Groen went on to explain that Navajo Nation, “fully supports the objectives of the bill, namely to eliminate or reduce undue Federal interference in tribal energy resource development, strengthen tribal self determination, and boost energy resource production on Indian lands… [The] “Native American Energy Act” will facilitate that growth and encourage Navajo self-determination by removing federal delays and unnecessary obstacles from the process.”

Tara Sweeney, Senior Vice President of Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, thanked the Committee for, “Recognizing that the responsible development of Indian energy resources both serves the national interest and allows Indian tribes to pursue greater economic development and self-sufficiency.” Specifically she commented that, “the legislation strikes an appropriate balance in terms of the risks and costs of Indian energy projects by removing incentives for filing meritless challenges designed simply to delay those projects, while preserving the right to bring meritorious challenges.” Finally, Sweeney reminded the Committee that, “our community survival depends on continued energy production from our region…without development in our region our communities will not survive.”

The Honorable James M. “Mike” Olguin, Vice Chairman, Southern Ute Indian Tribal Council, reminded the Committee that, “For decades our tribal leaders have…urged you to change existing laws so that tribes would have the legal power to use their lands as they see fit, free from the bureaucratic delays and interference…” Olguin said that, “The proposed Native American Energy Act is a positive step forward in our longstanding effort to level the playing field when it comes to Indian energy development…” and, “will help implement our longstanding goal of self determination, and we thank you for introducing it.”

Irene C. Cuch, Chairwoman, Ute Tribal Business Committee of the Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation said that, “the oil and gas permitting process is a bureaucratic maze of federal agencies, and that it takes 49 steps to obtain one permit [and] about 48 Applications for Permits to Drill (APD) are approved each year for oil and gas operations on the Reservation.” She estimated that, “450 APDs will be needed each year as we expand operations.” and that the Indian Energy Development Offices proposed in the bill would, “bring all of the agencies into the same room and would streamline processing.”

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Chairman Hastings Presses Secretary Salazar to Comply with Committee Oversight, Document Requests

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:00:00 GMT

House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) today questioned Secretary Ken Salazar on the Interior Department’s lack of compliance with legitimate oversight requests from the Committee on actions and policies that directly impact American jobs and the economy.

The Committee is investigating the Department’s rewrite of coal regulations and the White House’s editing of a peer-reviewed report that recommended imposing a drilling moratorium in the Gulf of Mexico. It’s been over a year since these investigations began and the Department continues to withhold an untold number of documents.

At the hearing, Chairman Hastings specifically noted the Department’s efforts to block the Committee from obtaining 13 documents about an Office of Inspector General investigation into the White House’s edits of the drilling safety report.

“While I appreciate Secretary Salazar’s commitment to work with the Committee on our oversight efforts, I remain deeply concerned and frustrated over the Department’s inability to comply with our document requests,” said Chairman Hastings following the hearing. “In our January 25^th letter, Chairman Lamborn and I very clearly stated our intent to move to compel production if the deadline were not met. We are very serious about his because thousands of American jobs are at stake.”

Background

Obama Administration’s Efforts to Rewrite Coal Regulations
For the past year, the Committee has conducted an investigation into the Obama’s Administration’s rewrite of coal regulations. The Administration has failed to fully comply with repeated requests for documents from the Committee looking into why this rewrite was initiated, whether the rewrite of the rule is being properly managed, whether political implications of the new regulations are unduly influencing the process, and the economic impacts of the new regulations. The Administration’s sweeping new rewrites could cost thousands of American jobs and decrease American energy production. Click here to learn more.

Obama Administration’s Decision to Include Gulf Drilling Moratorium in DOI Report
The Committee is conducting an extensive investigation into how and why an Obama Administration report that recommended a six-month drilling moratorium in the Gulf of Mexico was edited to make it appear as though the moratorium was supported by a panel of engineering experts.The Administration has failed to comply with repeated requests from the Committee for documents that would explain the decision to include the drilling moratorium in the report – including how the decision was made and who within the Administration was involved, including White House officials – and whether the misrepresentation of the experts endorsing the moratorium was intentional, a question that the Office of Inspector General report did not directly answer. The moratorium cost thousands of jobs and caused widespread economic harm throughout the Gulf. Click here to learn more.

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Chairman Hastings: Republicans Have Action Plan to Create American Jobs, Expand American Energy Production & Lower Gas Prices

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:30:00 GMT

House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings delivered the following statement on the House floor today in support of H.R. 3408, a bill that includes the energy provisions of the American Energy & Infrastructure Jobs Act. The bill expands access to both onshore and offshore American energy resources - creating over a million new American jobs, lowering gasoline prices, strengthening our national security, and generating new revenue to help pay for transportation and infrastructure projects.

“Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 3408, which contains the energy provisions in the American Energy & Infrastructure Jobs Act.

This is an action plan to create jobs that will vastly expand American energy production, lower gasoline prices, strengthen our national and economic security, and generate new revenue to help pay for infrastructure - all without raising taxes or adding to the deficit.

In this year’s State of the Union Address, President Obama proclaimed his support for expanding American energy production and an ‘all-of-the-above’ strategy. Sadly, the President’s actions while in office have been anything but pro-energy. In fact, his rhetoric is 180 degrees from his actions.

Since taking office, the Obama Administration has repeatedly blocked U.S. energy production. The offshore drilling moratorium and Keystone pipeline are just the tip of the iceberg. He’s canceled and withdrawn scheduled lease sales, shut off promising areas to new drilling, blocked mining in mineral-rich areas, and issued countless job-destroying regulations.

Actions speak louder than words. The bill we are considering today is an action plan that clearly contrasts President Obama’s anti-energy policies with the pro-energy, pro-American jobs policies of Republicans.

While President Obama has closed off new areas for offshore drilling, this bill will open areas known to contain the most oil and natural gas resources in the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic. As a result, economic analysis has shown that over 1.2 million long-term American jobs can be created.

While President Obama opposes energy production in ANWR, this bill will open less than 3 percent of the total area to responsible and safe drilling. ANWR represents the single greatest source of onshore energy resources in the United States. That is one of the reasons why in 1980 President Jimmy Carter and a Democrat Congress specifically set aside the North Slope of ANWR for energy production. Safe and responsible energy production in ANWR will protect the environment, while creating tens of thousands of jobs and providing up to 1.45 million barrels of oil per day - this is more than the U.S. imports daily from Saudi Arabia.

While the President has delayed leases and withdrawn over a million acres in the Rocky Mountains to oil shale development, this bill will set clear rules and require additional oil shale leases to be issued. According to government estimates, the region may hold more than 1.5 trillion barrels of oil – six times Saudi Arabia’s proven reserves, and enough to provide the United States with energy for the next 200 years. Robust oil shale development could also create hundreds of thousands of jobs.

Finally, while the President refused to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline, this bill will would require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to approve it within 30 days. The Keystone XL pipeline will create more than 20,000 American jobs and displace less stable energy imports with millions of barrels of safe and secure North American oil.

Since President Obama took office, gasoline prices have climbed 91 percent. Meanwhile, Iran is threatening to close off the Strait of Hormuz, which is responsible for the transportation of almost 17 million barrels of oil a day—or 20 percent of all traded oil. Prices will only climb higher if we don’t take action now to increase our energy independence and develop our own American energy resources.

Republicans today are moving forward with a real plan to create more jobs and create more American energy.

I urge my colleagues to support the bill and reserve the balance of my time.”

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