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Energy and Mineral Resources

Subcommittee Discusses Bills to Bring Certainty to Mining Industry

| Posted in Press Release

Today, the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held a legislative hearing on three bills to bring greater certainty to the mining industry and shield economic development and energy projects from politically motivated actions.   “[T]he effects [of the Obama Administration’s coal moratorium] were felt most by the people in my state who lost good paying mining jobs and the…

Committee Passes Rep. Thompson’s Bill to Protect Private Mineral Rights

| Posted in Press Release

Today, the House Committee on Natural Resources passed H.R. 2316 (Rep. Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, R-PA), the “Cooperative Management of Mineral Rights Act of 2017.” This bill clarifies the repeatedly upheld decision by federal courts to protect the rights of private mineral owners in the Allegheny National Forest (ANF). “This bill is about more than just protecting the rights of landowners in…

Bishop Statement on Interior's Decision to Rescind Hydraulic Fracturing Rule

| Posted in Press Release

Today, the Department of the Interior (DOI) announced its plan to rescind the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) hydraulic fracturing rule. Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) issued the following statement: “I applaud Secretary Zinke and his team for their work in returning the Department, it’s sub-agencies and bureaus to their core statutory functions. Taking this job-killing federal regulatory…

Panel Seeks Innovative Approaches to Spur Vibrant Domestic Mining Industry

| Posted in Press Release

Today, the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an oversight hearing “Seeking Innovative Solutions for the Future of Hardrock Mining.” “Hardrock mining on federal land in the United States has a storied past, a challenging present and multiple needs for reform,” Subcommittee Chairman Paul Gosar (R-AZ) said. “From rocks to roads, rare earths to green technologies, and iron…

Rep. Paul Cook Introduces Bill to Foster Robust Domestic Helium Market

| Posted in Press Release

Today, Rep. Paul Cook (R-CA) introduced H.R. 3279, the “Helium Extraction Act of 2017.” The bill authorizes the Bureau of Land Management to lease federal land for the purpose of helium production under the same lease terms as oil and gas. “Facilitating a robust domestic helium market will spur job creation, promote massive revenues to the Treasury and provide stability for essential…

Committee Reviews Economic Ripple Effect of Greater Alaska Oil and Gas Development

| Posted in Press Release

Today, the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an oversight hearing on onshore oil and gas development in Alaska. Panel members highlighted the many benefits for Alaska and the Lower 48 if the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A) were opened for responsible exploration and development. “Energy development in the State of…

Panel: Expanding Offshore Access a Boon for Coastal Communities, Integral to Future Energy Security

| Posted in Press Release

Today, the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an oversight hearing on federal offshore oil and gas development on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Panel members discussed the benefits of expanding access to the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Pacific and Alaska for coastal communities, job creation nationally, and increased revenues for both states and the U.S. Treasury. “For…

Bishop Statement on Zinke's Secretarial Order on Onshore Oil and Gas Permitting

| Posted in Press Release

Today, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke signed Secretarial Order 3354 to identify solutions to streamline the permitting process for mineral leases on federal lands. Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) issued the following statement: “Secretary Zinke’s commitment to foster regulatory certainty and unleash our energy potential is a welcome shift in priorities at Interior. We will be working in close…

Bishop Announces New Subcommittee Chairman and Assignments

| Posted in Press Release

Today, Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) announced updated assignments and subcommittee leadership appointments for the House Committee on Natural Resources during the 115th Congress. Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR) will serve as the new Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL) will serve as the new Vice Chairman of the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.…

Panel: Regulatory Uncertainty, Red Tape Discourages Responsible Energy Development

| Posted in Press Release

Today, the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an oversight hearing on the status of onshore oil and gas leasing and drill permitting processes on federal lands. Members and witnesses discussed improvements to the duplicative and costly bureaucratic policies discouraging operators from leasing federal minerals.   “[N]onfederal production far outpaces federal production…