Oversight Hearing on:

• "Keeping the Lights On and Reducing Catastrophic Forest Fire Risk: Proper Management of Electricity Rights of Way on Federal Lands"

Member Statements:

The Honorable Doc Hastings
Chairman

The Honorable Scott Tipton
Committee Member

Witnesses and Testimony:

PANEL I

Mr. David Markham
President & CEO
Central Electric Cooperative Inc.
Redmond, Oregon
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Mr. Randall Miller
Director – Vegetative Management
PacifiCorp
Salt Lake City, Utah
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Mr. Michael Neal
Manager – Forestry and Special Programs
Arizona Public Service Company
Phoenix, Arizona
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Ms. Lydia Grimm
Manager – Environmental Planning and Analysis
Bonneville Power Administration
Portland, Oregon

Mr. Mike Easley
CEO
Powder River Energy Corporation
Chair of the Wyoming Rural Electric Association’s Managers’ Committee
Sundance, Wyoming
(Truth in Testimony Form)

PANEL II

Mr. Jim Peña
Associate Deputy Chief – National Forest System
U.S. Forest Service
Washington, DC

Mr. Ed Roberson
Assistant Director for Renewable Resources and Planning
Bureau of Land Management
Washington, DC

Background:

The purpose of this hearing is to examine existing challenges to proactive forest management needed to ensure reliable electricity supply, low cost energy for homes and businesses, and public safety by reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfires. Last September, the House Natural Resources Committee passed H.R. 1526, The Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act. This bill will help reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires; put tens of thousands of Americans back to work; provide stable funding for counties to use for education and infrastructure; improve local management of our federal forests.

Related Documents:

• Hearing Transcript
• Full Committee Hearing Notice - April 25, 2014
• Full Committee Witness List - May 5, 2014