Today, the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an oversight hearing on “Energy Independence: Domestic Opportunities to Reverse California’s Growing Dependence on Foreign Oil.” Overall, the United States is importing less oil than any point in the past decade, yet California’s foreign oil imports have dramatically increased. Today’s hearing focused on the drastic increase in… Read more »

Today, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs held an oversight hearing entitled, “Implementing the Cobell Settlement: Missed Opportunities and Lessons Learned.” This hearing examined the delays and uncertainty in the land buyback program authorized as part of the Cobell Settlement. The Cobell Settlement provided for the resolution of individual… Read more »

Tomorrow, the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources will hold a hearing on California energy and the drastic increase in foreign oil imports. The state has significant opportunities for energy production, including California’s Monterey Shale that the U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates that contains over 15 billion barrels of oil. However, as the infographic below… Read more »

Today at a Full Committee hearing, Department of the Interior Secretary Sally Jewell testified that the Department’s programs and activities support millions of jobs and generate billions in revenue.  While this is true, the Secretary failed to acknowledge the millions of jobs and billions in revenue that could be created if the Administration didn’t impose burdensome red-tape and… Read more »

Today, House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) delivered the following prepared remarks at the National Water Resources Association Annual Meeting, highlighting hydropower as a clean, renewable energy resource; California water issues; and the need to update and improve the Endangered Species Act: “Thank you for that kind introduction, Jim. It’s a pleasure once… Read more »

House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) issued the following statement regarding the federal court ruling upholding the Obama Administration’s closed-door Endangered Species Act (ESA) settlement agreement with the Center for Biological Diversity and WildEarth Guardians: “I’m disappointed with today’s court ruling that upholds the Administration’s mega-settlement… Read more »

House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) released the following statement praising the Republican budget released today by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan: “The Republican budget is a responsible plan to cut spending, lower the debt, and ensure long-term job and economic growth. It prioritizes expanded American energy production and recognizes that new… Read more »

House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04), Rep. Cynthia Lummis (Wyoming-at large), Rep. Randy Neugebauer (TX-19), and Rep. Bill Huizenga (MI-02) today introduced four limited bills to improve and update the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The bills are supported by all of the Members of the ESA Congressional Working Group, representing districts across the nation, and… Read more »

Today, at a House Natural Resources Full Committee oversight hearing, Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) pressed U.S. Fish and Wildlife (FWS) Service Director Dan Ashe on the Department’s non-compliance with the Committee’s request for documents regarding the process and science surrounding the FWS’ decision to list the White Bluffs bladderpod as a threatened species. A letter was sent to the… Read more »

Today, the House of Representatives passed HR 1459, the Ensuring Public Involvement in the Creation of National Monuments Act by a bipartisan vote of 222 - 201. This bill, introduced by Public Lands and Environmental Regulation Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Rob Bishop (UT-01), would require public participation before a presidentially-declared National Monument is made official under the… Read more »