The Natural Resources Morning News Round-up: The Hill – Ben Geman: “Lawmakers press Interior to slow down on fracking rules” Fuel Fix – Jennifer A. Dlouhy: “Unlikely alliance: Political foes plea for more time on fracturing rule” The Hill – Zack Colman: “White House threatens veto of Keystone bill” Fuel Fix – David R. Baker: “Using solar power to pump oil” Capital Press – Matthew Weaver: “Sagebrush comment period may re-open, county official says” Associated Press: “Gov. Brown orders streamlining of water transfers” Read More »

AAA sees gas prices rising into Memorial Day weekend By Talia Buford 5/21/2013 The seasonal Memorial Day rise in gasoline prices is likely to bump up the cost of filling up the car this weekend, but much of the pain will hit motorists in the Midwest and on the West Coast, where a confluence of factors is leading to all-time highs leading into the holiday. AAA predicts that come Memorial Day weekend, the average price of a gallon of gasoline will rise above the $3.64 level motorists saw on Memorial Day in 2012 and the $3.79 recorded in 2011. The national average for a gallon of unleaded regula... Read More »

Last week, the National Park Service (NPS) finished the scaffolding surrounding the Washington Monument. The Washington Monument has been closed since being damaged in an Earthquake on August 23, 2011. This video released by the NPS shows a first person perspective from the top of the monument. Read More »

The Natural Resources Morning News Round-up: Wall Street Journal – Kim Murphy: “Alaska governor launches bid to measure oil in Arctic refuge” Joplin Globe – Andy Ostmeyer: “Federal agency proposes adding two Missouri mussels to endangered species list” Washington Examiner editorial: “Do 'Right by Ike' with scaled-down memorial” Washington Examiner – Eric P. Newcomber: “Congress takes aim at Eisenhower Memorial” Read More »

The Natural Resources Morning News Round-up: CQ – Anna McGeehan: “Panel Passes Bills on Rare Earth, Critical Minerals” Associated Press: “U.S. Gas Prices Up 11 Cents Over Past 2 Weeks” US News and World Report – Elizabeth Flock: “Commission for Unbuilt Ike Memorial Wants Another $51 Million From Taxpayers” Washington Examiner – Eric P. Newcomber: “Eisenhower family opposes Frank Gehry's design” Associated Press – Jeff Barnard: “Ore. Timber Country Ponders Future With Fewer Logs” Herald and News – Devan Schwartz: “Water quality, fisheries and tribal resources all must mesh” Read More »

The Natural Resources Morning News Round-up: Fuel Fix – Jennifer A. Dlouhy: “Feds make concessions to oil industry in new hydraulic fracturing rule” Examiner – Charles Pekow: “Committee approves two bills to help national wildlife refuge system” Washington Post – Steven Mufson: “Obama administration issues draft fracking regulations” KRBD – Ed Schoenfeld: “Feds oppose smaller Sealaska land bill” Associated Press: “House approves swap of mineral rights between Utah, Indian tribe” Havre Daily News – Tim Leeds: “Daines calls for hydropower on waterways, including Milk River Project” Read More »

The Natural Resources Morning News Round-up: Platts: “US House Republicans release bills for more oil, gas drilling” Associated Press: “Gosar, Kirkpatrick legislation for proposed Arizona copper mine gets committee approval” Green River Star: “Lummis soda ash bill passes House committee” Associated Press: “New secretary lays out agenda for Native Americans” The Hill – Julian Hattem: “Interior pressed to encourage Indian tribes to develop oil and gas” Read More »

In North Dakota, it can take 10 times as long to get a drilling permit on federal lands compared to state lands. That is why the House of Representatives voted on Tuesday to pass H.R. 767, a bill sponsored by Committee member Congressman Cramer, which streamlines the federal permitting process in North Dakota to reduce delays in obtaining a permit to drill on federal lands. Check out what Rep. Cramer has to say in this news video highlighting his bill below. Read More »

Today, the Full Committee on Natural Resources is holding a markup on 18 bills including legislation that will help develop critical and strategic minerals. Critical and strategic minerals are fundamental components of technologies and everyday items ranging from cell phones, building materials and motor vehicles to personal hygiene products. Over 66 individual minerals are used to make the typical computer, including silver, aluminum, copper and gold. Four rare earth minerals are required to make a hybrid vehicle: dysprosium, lanthanum, neodymium and praseodymium. Energy-efficient light bulbs... Read More »

The Natural Resources Morning News Round-up: Associated Press: “Wind farms get pass on eagle deaths” Associated Press – Ben Neary: “Western lawmakers push to restore mineral funds” Reuters – Alex Lawler: “IEA urges swift U.S. decision on allowing crude oil exports” Associated Press: “Ark. mountain snail dropped from endangered list” Associated Press: “US Indian affairs official to attend SD summit on tribal children placed in foster care” Los Angeles Times – Julie Cart: “Federal omission in closing oyster farm broke law, court told” Read More »