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Panel: Legislation Needed to Address Seismic Research Permitting Failures, Prevent Future Political Abuse

| Posted in Press Release

Today, the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an oversight hearing to examine regulatory obstacles to seismic research in America’s outer continental shelf (OCS).  Acoustic seismic surveying is used to collect valuable information regarding offshore geological structures, and is used by a myriad of stakeholders, including the federal government, energy production…

Westerman Letter to US Forest Service Chief Tooke

| Posted in Letters

TO: Mr. Tony Tooke FROM: Chairman Bruce Westerman According to the National Interagency Fire Center more than 9.7 million acres were consumed by wildfires this past year, 49 percent more than the average for the last ten years. In addition to the tragic loss of life, this season's wildfires have destroyed thousands of homes and business, damaged popular recreation sites, produces…

Trump Administration Slashes Red-Tape Stifling American Energy Development

| Posted in Press Release

Today, the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an oversight hearing to examine Department of the Interior (DOI) actions to eliminate regulatory burdens for onshore oil and gas development on federal lands. In March 2017, President Trump signed Executive Order 13783, Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth. In compliance with the EO, DOI has taken aggressive steps…

Bishop Statement on Introduction of Senate Companion Onshore Energy Legislation

| Posted in Press Release

Today, Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) introduced the “Opportunities for the Nation and States to Harness Onshore Resources for Energy Act” or “ONSHORE Act.”  The bill mirrors Title II of H.R. 4239, the “SECURE American Energy Act,” which passed the Committee in November 2017. Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) issued the following statement: “I applaud Senator Barrasso for introducing companion…

National Journal: Top Natural Resources Democrat Wants Colleagues to Step Up

| Posted in In Case You Missed It

National Journal House Natural Resources Committee ranking member Raul Grijalva is calling into question rank-and-file Democratic commitment to combatting one of the most controversial Trump administration regulatory rollbacks: the dramatic downsizing of the Bears Ears National Monument. And he’s not alone. One of his top lieutenants, Rep. Alan Lowenthal, also aired frustration…

Committee Passes Bill to Improve Regulatory Efficiency, Environmental Progress

| Posted in Press Release

Today, the House Committee on Natural Resources passed H.R. 3133, the “Streamlining Environmental Approvals (SEA) Act of 2017.” Introduced by Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA), the bill amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to remove duplicative permitting requirements that inhibit economic development and restoration projects. “Washington bureaucrats should never have the authority to…

Bishop, Westerman Letter to BLM Acting Director

| Posted in Letters

TO: Acting Director Brian Steed FROM: Chairman Rob Bishop, Chairman Bruce Westerman Dear Mr. Steed; On January 8, 2018, a federal judge denied prosecutors' request to retry Nevada cattle rancher Cliven Bundy and his supporters for their actions during a 2014 armed standoff with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), This ruling follows a December 20, 2017 decision by the court to declare…

Minority Leadership Flip Flops on Support for Tribal Rights in House Vote

| Posted in Press Release

Today, 158 House Democrats voted against S. 140 (Sen. Jeff Flake, R-AZ), a bill that promotes tribal self-governance over tribal resources, lands and business regulation. Despite claims to overwhelmingly support tribal rights, all 5 Subcommittee Ranking Members voted against the measure. “This legislation promotes the ability of tribes to manage their own land, water, and labor…

Bishop, Westerman Letter to Acting BLM Director Brian Steed

| Posted in Letters

Today Natural Resources Committee Chairman Rob Bishop (R-Utah) and Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) sent a letter to the Acting Director of the Bureau of Land Management Brian Steed regarding misconduct by BLM officials in the Cliven Bundy case. "On January 8, 2018, a federal judge denied prosecutors' request to retry Nevada cattle rancher…

Curtis Bill Enhances Antiquities Protections, Creates First Ever Tribally-Managed National Monument

| Posted in Press Release

Today, the Subcommittee on Federal Lands held a legislative hearing on H.R. 4532, the “Shash Jaa National Monument and Indian Creek National Monument Act.” Introduced by Rep. John Curtis (R-UT), and cosponsored by every Member of the House of Representatives from Utah, the bill builds upon President Trump’s right-sizing of the Bears Ears National Monument (BENM) and creates the first…