Members of the House Natural Resources Committee introduced two bills to protect and expand U.S. onshore energy production on federal lands. The bills would remove government roadblocks and hurdles that delay American energy production, promote production of our oil shale resources, and ensure that oil and natural gas resources in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A) are… Read more »

House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) today joined other Members of the House of Representatives in announcing the creation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) Working Group. Throughout this year, the Working Group will hold a series of events, forums, and hearings that will invite discussion and input on ways in which the ESA (last reauthorized in 1988) may be… Read more »

Today, the House Natural Resources Committee held an oversight hearing entitled “DOI Fracturing Rule: A Recipe for Government Waste, Duplication, and Delay.” This hearing focused on the potential impact that the Obama Administration’s proposed hydraulic fracturing regulations on federal lands would have on job creation, economic growth, and energy development in America. For over 60… Read more »

Today, House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA -04) spoke at the third Managing Our Nation’s Fisheries Conference coordinated by the Regional Fishery Management Councils and hosted by the Pacific Fishery Management Council. During his remarks, Chairman Hastings discussed the reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, President Obama’s National Ocean Policy, and the… Read more »

I want to thank Dr. McIsaac, the Regional Fishery Management Councils – in particular, the Pacific Council - and NOAA for hosting this conference. Pulling together a conference involving this many people who have an interest in fisheries management cannot be an easy task. I would like to welcome all of you here to Washington, D.C. I know this is a commitment of time and energy, but I… Read more »

Today, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation held an oversight hearing on “Impediments to Public Recreation on Public Lands.” This hearing examined obstacles put in place by the federal government that put more costs and burdens on small businesses and limit public access to public lands. “Increased fees, bureaucracy, restrictions,… Read more »

Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 527, the “Responsible Helium Administration and Stewardship Act” by a vote of 394– 1.  This bipartisan legislation, introduced by House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (R-WA), Ranking Member Ed Markey (D-MA), Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ), and Rep. Bill Flores (R-TX), is a common sense plan to sell helium from the Federal… Read more »

House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) delivered the following statement on the House floor in support on H.R. 527, the Responsible Helium Administration and Stewardship Act. “I rise today in strong support of H.R. 527, the Responsible Helium Administration and Stewardship Act. This bill is necessary to protect our economy from an impending helium shortage and… Read more »

Today, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power held an oversight hearing entitled “Federal Impediments to Water Rights, Job Creation and Recreation: A Local Perspective."  The hearing examined growing federal intrusion that costs American jobs and threatens to divert water supplies away from agricultural, recreational, and municipal water use. The hearing focused… Read more »

Today, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an oversight hearing on the U.S. - Mexico Transboundary Hydrocarbon Agreement to examine steps needed for its implementation and a legislative hearing on H.R. 1613, the “Outer Continental Shelf Transboundary Hydrocarbon Agreements Authorization Act.” This important legislation implements the U.S. – Mexico… Read more »