House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) today joined other Members of the House of Representatives in announcing the creation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) Working Group. Throughout this year, the Working Group will hold a series of events, forums, and hearings that will invite discussion and input on ways in which the ESA (last reauthorized in 1988) may be… Read more »

The Natural Resources Morning News Round-up: The Hill – Julian Hattem: “Interior’s fracking rules in cross hairs ahead of upcoming release” Bloomberg – Mark Drajem: “Fracking Rule Draws Republican Critics as U.S. Readies Changes” Platts: “Federal fracking rule will slow US oil, gas production: officials” CNN – Steve Hargreaves:… Read more »

Today, the House Natural Resources Committee held an oversight hearing entitled “DOI Fracturing Rule: A Recipe for Government Waste, Duplication, and Delay.” This hearing focused on the potential impact that the Obama Administration’s proposed hydraulic fracturing regulations on federal lands would have on job creation, economic growth, and energy development in America. For over 60… Read more »

Interior’s fracking rules in crosshairs ahead of upcoming release By Julian Hattem Lawmakers from both parties are pouncing on the federal government's attempt to regulate hydraulic fracturing, the natural gas extraction method also known as fracking, even before the draft rules have been released. At… Read more »

The Natural Resources Morning News Round-up: Energy Guardian – Edward Felker: “Jewell vows to resist lobbying on fracking regs” The Hill – Ben Geman: “Senior Republican presses Interior for ‘certainty’ on Arctic drilling” Associated Press: “A look at US government's cuts in mineral payments” Associated Press: “Wildlife… Read more »

Today, House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA -04) spoke at the third Managing Our Nation’s Fisheries Conference coordinated by the Regional Fishery Management Councils and hosted by the Pacific Fishery Management Council. During his remarks, Chairman Hastings discussed the reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, President Obama’s National Ocean Policy, and the… Read more »

I want to thank Dr. McIsaac, the Regional Fishery Management Councils – in particular, the Pacific Council - and NOAA for hosting this conference. Pulling together a conference involving this many people who have an interest in fisheries management cannot be an easy task. I would like to welcome all of you here to Washington, D.C. I know this is a commitment of time and energy, but I… Read more »

Today, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation held an oversight hearing on “Impediments to Public Recreation on Public Lands.” This hearing examined obstacles put in place by the federal government that put more costs and burdens on small businesses and limit public access to public lands. “Increased fees, bureaucracy, restrictions,… Read more »

The Natural Resources Morning News Round-up: Wall Street Journal – Alison Sider: “Coastal Governors Want More Offshore Drilling” Fuel Fix OpEd – Jeff Miller: “Guest Commentary: Deep-water oil and gas essential to global energy future” Associated Press: “Steam proposed to extract central Wyoming oil” The Atlantic – Stephanie… Read more »

Remember this? “We can’t afford a situation where speculators artificially manipulate markets by buying up oil, creating the perception of a shortage, and driving prices higher.” — President Obama, April 17, 2012 According to a recent research study by professors at MIT’s Sloan School of Management, oil speculation has little effect on oil price volatility. This study said… Read more »