The Natural Resources Morning News Round-up: Forum News Service – TJ Jerke: “Cramer leads congressmen on North Dakota energy tour” E&E – John McArdle: “Panel to examine GOP criticisms of Lacey Act provisions” Associated Press: “Study urges spending on coastal restoration” Associated Press – Brett Zongker: “Redesign of Ike… Read more »

War on coal? Absolutely… Just this week, President Obama’s war on coal reared its ugly head. American Electric Power announced that it is closing its coal-fired power plant in Beverly, Ohio. This is on top of FirstEnergy’s announcement that it will close two coal fired power plants in Pennsylvania by October. Both companies cited environmental regulations as reasons for their… Read more »

The National Park Service (NPS) is currently drafting a plan to determine the future of the Merced River in Yosemite National Park. Earlier this week, the Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation heard from witnesses regarding this plan that could permanently remove several recreational amenities that have long been a staple for visitors to the Merced River floodplain.… Read more »

The Natural Resources Morning News Round-up: Arizona Republic – Erin Kelly: “House panel: Fire-prevention funds needed” Wall Street Journal – Erica E. Phillips and Ann Zimmerman: “Controlling the Tinderbox Right Next Door” Associated Press: “More than 150 people faces charges as officials seize endangered tiger pelt, elephant ivory” Norwich Bulletin – James Mosher:… Read more »

Today, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation held an oversight hearing on “Wildfire and Forest Management.” The hearing focused on the need for increased forest management to reduce hazardous fuels and the risk of catastrophic wildfires. Last year, 9.3 million acres burned due to forest fires and was the third worst fire season on record for… Read more »

Today, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an oversight hearing on “America’s Helium Supply: Options for Producing more Helium from Federal Lands.” The hearing focused on the increased demand for helium, the future of U.S. helium supplies after the Federal Helium Reserve is depleted, and existing and potential production of helium from federal… Read more »

National forests are in an unhealthy and dangerous state resulting in larger and more intense wildfires. In 2012, wildfires burned 9.3 million acres, while the U.S. Forest Service only harvested approximately 200,000 acres. This means that 44 times as many acres burned as were responsibly harvested and restored. According to the U.S. Forest Service, 65-82 million acres of Forest Service… Read more »

The Natural Resources Morning News Round-up: Associated Press – Matt Volz: “House panel touts Powder River Basin development” The Hill – Ben Geman: “Interior's offshore drilling safety chief stepping down” Fuel Fix – Jennifer A. Dlouhy: “Alaska pushing new plan for ANWR oil research” KGOU – Kurt Gwartney: “Native American Adoption Case Gets New Complication” … Read more »

Today, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an oversight hearing on “Mining in America: Powder River Basin Coal Mining the Benefits and Challenges.” This hearing examined the job, energy, and economic benefits related to the development of our natural resources in the Power River Basin in Wyoming and Montana that provides forty percent of the coal… Read more »

The House Natural Resources Committee will hold an oversight hearing on Wednesday, July 17th entitled, “The Department of the Interior Operations, Management, and Rulemakings.”  Interior Secretary Sally Jewell will be the sole witness testifying at this hearing.  This will be Secretary Jewell’s first appearance before the Committee. “Oversight of the actions of the Interior… Read more »