The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held its first subcommittee hearing today on H.R. 493 the “Coal Ash Reclamation, Environment and Safety Act of 2009,” which would give expanded regulatory authority to the Department of Interior over coal-fired power plants and redefine them as “mine sites.” This legislation is in response to two spills of coal fly… Read more »

The House Natural Resources Committee today held its first hearing in a series regarding development of the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).  Unfortunately, this hearing was not a chance to hear from experts advocating for achievable solutions to our energy needs, but instead featured all five Democrat witnesses calling for the reinstatement of the ban on offshore drilling. Ranking… Read more »

House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Republican Doc Hastings issued the following statement today responding to Interior Secretary Salazar’s announcement to delay the 5-year plan for oil and gas development on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf: “It’s disappointing that Interior Department is choosing to delay new exploration on the Outer Continental Shelf when we must be focused on… Read more »

Today, House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Republican Doc Hastings responded to the decision by Interior Secretary Salazar to withdraw tracts of lands in Utah that were offered for lease in December after a seven-year environmental review process. This decision by the Secretary stops the issuance of leases and could cost American taxpayers millions in lost lease bids, production… Read more »