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Lummis works for passage of bills to expand off-shore energy production, protect grazing rights and recreation on public lands.

On Wednesday the House Natural Resources Committee took action to spur energy development, create jobs and cut federal red tape for livestock producers, hunters and anglers.  Representative Lummis was instrumental in amending and winning committee approval of the Grazing Improvement Act (H.R. 657), which alleviates regulatory burdens on livestock producers who graze on public land.  She also cast votes in support of the Offshore Energy and Jobs Act (H.R. 2231), the National Petroleum Reserve Alaska Access Act (H.R. 1964), the Native American Energy Act(H.R. 1548) and the Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage and Opportunities Act (H.R. 1825). 

H.R. 2231 opens areas shut off by the Obama Administration for offshore energy production.  H.R. 1825 facilitates access to federal public lands for fishing, sport hunting, and recreational shooting.  H.R. 1964 removes Obama Administration restrictions on resource development in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska.  H.R. 1548 streamlines the process by which Native American tribes can advance energy development on Indian lands.

“The House Resources Committee has long been considered ‘Wyoming’s Committee’ and today’s actions are further proof of that,” U.S. Rep. Lummis said. “Multiple use of federal public lands carried the day as we worked to protect livestock grazers and sportsmen from unnecessary regulation and litigation, and pushed to advance our energy agenda by freeing areas with high resource potential from the shackles of federal moratoriums and red tape.  I’m proud of the work we accomplished today on the Resources Committee, and I’m hopeful these bills receive similar support as they make their way through the legislative process.”

All bills will now move to the House floor for consideration. For more information on the individual bills and today’s hearing please visit: http://naturalresources.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=337176

Watch today’s hearing highlights: http://youtu.be/oXK7LVt2u_0

LEGISLATIVE HIGHLIGHTS:

HR 2231, the Offshore Energy and Jobs Act:

-          Opens new offshore energy production areas by requiring the Obama Administration to submit a new five-year leasing plan for the development of America’s offshore energy reserves.

-          Requires lease sales in the Outer Continental Shelf in areas that have the highest resource potential.

-          Opens the Atlantic Coast to OCS development as states like Virginia and South Carolina have requested.

-          Shares royalty revenue with coastal states.

HR657, theGrazing Improvement Act:

-          Extends Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) livestock grazing permits from 10 to 20 years.

-          Allows for grazing permit renewal, permit transfers, minor permit modifications, and the issuance of livestock trailing permits without undergoing unnecessary environmental analysis, including potential litigation.

-          During the markup, Rep. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) worked with Rep. RaúlLabrador (R-ID) to pass an amendment making the following changes:

o   Exempts grazing range improvements from environmental analysis and potential litigation; and

o   Prevents anti-grazing organizations with no direct interest in a federal grazing decision from making lengthy and costly administrative appeals.

HR1825the Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage and Opportunities Act:

-          Curbs abuses of the court system and regulatory process by organizations dedicated to removing hunting, fishing and shooting from federal public lands.

-          Requires public notice prior to an agency’s closing or restricting hunting, fishing or recreational shooting in federal public land areas.

HR 1964, the National Petroleum Reserve Alaska Access Act

-          Reaffirms that it is the policy of the United States that the NPR-A is specifically set aside for resource development.

-          Requires the Department of the Interior to grant surface use in order to facilitate energy development in the NPR-A

HR 1548, Native American Energy Act

-          Makes several improvements to the process of leasing and permitting energy projects on Indian lands.  Each provision was requested by at least one tribe.