Today, Chairman Hastings addressed coal miners from across the country at the “Rally for American Energy Jobs” in Washington D.C. to send a message to the Obama Administration to STOP the war on coal, coal jobs, and reliable and affordable electricity. Since taking office, President Obama has made his contempt for coal clear with a regulatory assault on this abundant natural energy… Read more »

Last week, On the Record with Greta Van Susteren took a look at Northeastern fishermen whose businesses have been affected by the Magnuson-Stevens Act. On Wednesday, the House Natural Resources held a hearing on the "Re-authorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act" where witnesses called for increased flexibility in the Re-authorization of the act.

On Wednesday, September 4th, the House Natural Resources Committee held two Full Committee field hearings in Casper, Wyoming and Billings, Montana on “State and Local Efforts to Protect Species, Jobs, Property, and Multiple Use Amidst a New War on the West.”  At these hearings, witnesses discussed how federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) listings can impact local jobs and the economy… Read more »

This week the National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group raised the National Preparedness Level to 5, its highest level indicating high fire activity with increasing threats. The last time the National Preparedness Level was raised to 5 was July 1, 2008 and remained at this highest level for 22 days.  A raised preparedness level indicates a high degree of wildfire activity, a major… Read more »

Last week, NBC Nightly News highlighted the wildfires burning throughout the United States. There are currently 39 fires in 11 states. The map below shows location and proximity of the current fires. This year is on track to be a record year for wildfires. Watch Here:

In a recent article in The Atlantic, Karl Smith from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, explains how hydraulic fracturing could help end gasoline price volatility.  Hydraulic fracturing allows the development of oil reserves that have previously been unreachable with other forms of energy exploration. While a traditional well may produce 50 barrels of oil per day, a… Read more »

The Natural Resources Morning News Round-up: Associated Press – Matthew Daly: “Report: Wildlife agency ignored whistle-blowers” Tri-City Herald – Geoff Folsom: “Franklin County farmer testifies in Washington, D.C., to protect bladderpod” Capital Press – Tim Hearden: “Hastings bill aims to improve forest management, prevent wildfires” The World – Thomas Moriarty:… Read more »

The Natural Resources Morning News Round-up: The Hill – Ben Geman: “House panel votes to block Interior’s ‘fracking’ rule” Fuel Fix – Jennifer A. Dlouhy: “GOP advances bill to block federal fracturing rules” Durango Herald – Joe Hanel: “Tipton’s healthy-forest bill makes it through House panel” Missoulian – Rob Chaney: “Daines amendments focus on forest fires,… Read more »

The Natural Resources Morning News Round-up: The Hill – Ben Geman: “Obama taps Interior official for deputy secretary post” Associated Press: “Feds to lease mineral rights in Ohio forest” Associated Press: “3 Native American tribes seek funding for satellite voter registration, early voting stations” Associated Press: Heather… Read more »

President Obama’s low-ball estimate for Keystone XL jobs By Glenn Kessler 7/30/2013  “My hope would be that any reporter who is looking at the facts would take the time to confirm that the most realistic estimates are this might create maybe 2,000 jobs during the construction of the pipeline — which might take a year or two — and then after that we’re talking about somewhere… Read more »