WASHINGTON, D.C. - In a recent letter to House Speaker John Boehner and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Governors John Hickenlooper (D-Colorado) and Brian Sandoval (R-Nevada) eexpressed encouragement regarding the House of Representatives’ efforts to improve and update the Endangered Species Act (ESA), as evidenced most recently by the House Natural Resources Committee’s passage of a package of four ESA-related reform measures. Pointing out the significant species conservation programs and comprehensive and current data provided by states, the Governors noted that the ESA “could be greatly improved through targeted reforms, particularly those that would involve states as full and equal partners in the development of scientific data, analyses and management provisions applied within listing, recovery and de-listing decisions.” Read more »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House of Representatives today approved H.R. 3301, the North American Energy Infrastructure Act, by a bipartisan vote of 238 to 173. The bill, authored by House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) and Rep. Gene Green (D-TX), will establish a clear and efficient approval process for pipelines and transmission lines that cross the borders of the United States with Canada or Mexico. Read more »
WASHINGTON, D.C. –Today, Senate Western Caucus Chairman John Barrasso (R-WY), Congressional Western Caucus co-chairs Stevan Pearce (R-NM) and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) as well as House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (R-WA) and House Water and Power Subcommittee Chairman Tom McClintock (R-CA), joined 38 other lawmakers in sending a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack warning that the U.S. Forest Service’s recently proposed Groundwater Resource Management Directive (Directive) will restrict access to public lands and interfere with state and private water rights. Read more »
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The House of Representatives is set to vote this week on a series of energy bills aimed at creating jobs, lowering prices, and strengthening America’s global competitiveness. House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) previewed the House action over the weekend in the Weekly Republican Address and in an op-ed on CNBC. Upton outlined Republicans’ plan to “unleash the benefits of the American energy superpower,” and expressed, “When it comes to our ‘all-of-the-above’ energy vision, we are not taking ‘no’ for an answer.” It’s time to say yes to American jobs and #Yes2Energy. Read more »
WASHINGTON, DC – The Subcommittee on Energy and Power, chaired by Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY), today held a hearing to examine EPA’s proposed new carbon dioxide regulations for existing power plants. On June 2, the administration rolled out EPA’s “Clean Power Plan” – a proposed rule for existing power plants that will force states to change the way they generate and distribute power. Members questioned EPA Acting Assistant Administrator Janet McCabe about the scope of EPA’s proposal, its legality and feasibility, and potential impacts on U.S. economic growth and the global climate. Read more »
WASHINGTON, D.C. - House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) released the following statement regarding President Obama’s announcement of overreaching Executive action to unilaterally lock-up huge portions of the Pacific Ocean: Read more »
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an oversight hearing on “American Energy Jobs: Opportunities for Innovation." The hearing examined technological innovation used to harness job growth from both alternative energy resources such as wind, solar, hydropower, and nuclear as well as oil, natural gas, and coal. Read more »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congressman Kevin Cramer requested Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Secretary Gina McCarthy rescind her agency’s proposed restrictions on carbon dioxide emissions for existing power plants. The plan announced last week by the EPA would force states to comply with specific restrictions on carbon dioxide emissions for existing power plants determined by the agency. Read more »
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Kristi Noem joined 67 Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle last night in introducing H.R. 4813. The bill would legislatively combat the administration’s proposed climate rule that is expected to dramatically increase electricity costs nationwide. Read more »
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Jobs and the economy. These are the main focus of House Republicans, and they continue to be top concerns among Americans. And with an underperforming economy that actually shrunk in the first quarter of 2014, it’s now more important than ever to concentrate on an agenda to boost the economy and create jobs. On Tuesday, June 10, the Energy and Commerce Committee will vote on H.R. 4795, the Promoting New Manufacturing Act, a bill introduced by Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) that will improve the permitting process for new U.S. factories and expansions - providing the foundation for private investments in good-paying jobs. Read more »
