Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Doug LaMalfa (CA-01) and Representatives Nick Begich (AK-AL), Troy Downing (MT-02) and Julie Fedorchak (ND-AL) released statements celebrating House votes to nullify three Biden-era Resource Management Plans (RMP) that restrict resource development on federal lands.
“This week, the House supported Western Caucus-led efforts to restore practical land management practices,” said Chairman LaMalfa. “Our federal lands across the West are resource rich and we should have every intention to develop those resources. Unfortunately, in Alaska, Montana, and North Dakota, the Biden Administration restricted production of coal, oil and gas, and mineral resources on many of these lands. I applaud the three Western Caucus members who have sponsored these resolutions, Representatives Begich, Downing, and Fedorchak, and thank them for their leadership in overturning these onerous resource management plans to allow the lands to be used as intended to unleash American energy dominance.”
“The 2024 Central Yukon plan locks up more than 13 million acres of public land in one of Alaska’s most impoverished regions and blocks projects vital to our nation’s energy security and economic future,” said Congressman Begich. “With this resolution, we are restoring balance to federal land policy and ensuring that Alaska can responsibly contribute to America’s energy and mineral independence. Alaskans know how to balance stewardship and development, and I am proud to have championed this legislation in the House that restores responsible management of our state’s resources.”
“The Biden Administration’s outright ban on coal leasing in the Powder River Basin is an intolerable threat to domestic energy production, U.S. national security, and the prosperity of the communities I represent,” said Congressman Downing. “I’m proud to be leading the charge in the House to reverse the Miles City Field Office RMPA to improve access to the affordable, reliable energy that brings the American dream that much closer to hand for countless families in Montana and across the country. I appreciate the support and advocacy of my colleagues from the Treasure State in this fight, and I look forward to seeing this resolution pass the Senate and signed into law by President Trump.”
"Yesterday’s vote reaffirms a simple fact: the Biden administration’s Resource Management Plan for North Dakota was deeply misguided,” Representative Fedorchak said. “At a time when energy demand is reaching record highs and Americans want to pay less for everything, locking up responsible energy development is the exact opposite of what we need. I’m grateful to my House Republican colleagues for their support that unleashes North Dakota’s energy resources for the betterment of America. I urge the Senate to act swiftly to reverse this harmful policy.”
The House voted on September 3 to overturn the following Biden Administration RMPs:
- Central Yukon Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan (Alaska), which locked up more than 13.3 million acres of Alaskan land, blocking energy and infrastructure development.
- Miles City Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment (Montana), which locked up more then 2.75 million acres of land and 11.7 million acres of mineral estate, prohibiting future coal leasing in the Powder River Basin.
- North Dakota Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan (North Dakota), which locked up over 4 million acres, barring coal leasing and oil and gas development.
