Today, the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources discussed the importance of domestically sourced raw materials for the upcoming infrastructure package.
“Aggregates such as crushed stone, sand, and gravel are the literal foundation of many of our infrastructure projects,” Subcommittee Chairman Paul Gosar (R-AZ) said. “Expedited permitting regimes for infrastructure projects… Read more »
Today, the Senate passed H.J. Res. 69 sponsored by Rep. Don Young (R-AK). The joint resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act will overturn the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) rule on “Non-Subsistence Take of Wildlife, and Public Participation and Closure Procedures, on National Wildlife Refuges in Alaska.”
“This CRA ensures that the role of states will not be… Read more »
Today, the Subcommittee on Federal Lands held an oversight hearing on ways to improve infrastructure and management at the National Park Service (NPS) and the Forest Service (USFS).
“A reasonable person might conclude that federal agencies with deferred maintenance backlogs of $6 billion [USFS] and $12 billion [NPS] should first take care of the land it currently administers before… Read more »
Today, the Trump administration released its budget blueprint for Fiscal Year 2018. Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) issued the following statement:
“Bold and creative solutions are sorely needed to reform bloated agencies and programs so they better serve the American people. This framework is a positive start. I look forward to building on these ideas through the budget process and our… Read more »
Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) issued the following statement following Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke approval of the Greens Hollow coal lease in central Utah:
“After over a decade of bureaucratic purgatory, I’m happy to see Secretary Zinke approve this lease. This will be a vital source of employment, affordable energy and revenue to the people of central Utah and the country for decades to… Read more »
Today, the Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans held an oversight hearing on the creation and management of marine monuments and sanctuaries. The panel overwhelmingly objected to the lack of local input, transparency and scientific scrutiny in the marine monument designation process.
“Federal decision-making directly impacts local citizens, local economies and the environment.… Read more »
House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) issued the following statement in reaction to the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) release of data concerning oil and gas leasing on federal lands under the Obama administration:
“Production on federal lands was all but impossible under the Obama administration from the layers of additional red tape to the dwindling number… Read more »
Today, the House passed H.R. 648 (Rep. Liz Cheney, WY-at large) by an unanimous bipartisan vote of 408-0. H.R. 648 authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to enter into a cooperative agreement with the State of Wyoming to modify the Fontenelle Dam and Reservoir as a way to increase storage capacity and mitigate erosion at no cost to the federal government.
“After years of requests and… Read more »
By: Valerie Richardson
Another piece of President Obama’s energy legacy: Oil and natural gas production on federal lands tanked under his tenure even as private activity increased.
From 2008 to 2016, major indicators of federal onshore and natural gas operations declined, including the number of leases, acres leased, permits approved and wells drills, according to the Western Energy… Read more »
Today, the Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs held an oversight hearing exploring ways to improve infrastructure in tribal and insular communities.
“Quality infrastructure boosts economic development, creates jobs, and quality of life increases. Nowhere is this more important than tribal and insular communities. There is however, a great need in tribal communities,… Read more »