Natural Resources Committee - The Resources Roundup

Share on Facebook

The Latest Emails

 

April 26, 2013

House Passes Bipartisan Legislation to Prevent Global Helium Shortage 
Bill protects jobs and ensures a fair return for taxpayers

On Friday, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 527, the "Responsible Helium Administration and Stewardship Act" by a vote of 394- 1. This bipartisan legislation, introduced by House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings, Ranking Member Ed Markey, Rep. Rush Holt, and Rep. Bill Flores, is a common sense plan to sell helium from the Federal Helium Reserve in a responsible manner to prevent a global shortage, protect jobs and the economy, and ensure a fairer return for taxpayers.
 
By law, the Interior Department will lose the authority to fund and operate the Federal Helium Reserve as soon as October of this year, resulting in an immediate 30 percent reduction in the global helium supply. H.R. 527 applies free market reforms through semi-annual auctions and establishes a three-phase plan to sell off the remaining helium in the Reserve. These reforms will ensure a better return for taxpayers, protect our economy from severe supply disruptions, and promote the development of alternative domestic helium resources so our country is prepared when the Reserve does close.

Click here to learn more about the legislation.

         

Hearing Examines Federal Impediments to Water Rights 
Witnesses stress importance of water rights for job creation and economic growth 

On Thursday, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power held an oversight hearing entitled "Federal Impediments to Water Rights, Job Creation and Recreation: A Local Perspective." The hearing examined growing federal intrusion that costs American jobs and threatens to divert water supplies away from agricultural, recreational, and municipal water use.

"There have been a torrent of complaints from multiple Western States of federal laws and federal officials usurping long-established water rights in a manner that threatens entire sectors of their economies including agriculture, ranching, tourism, and municipal water supplies," said Subcommittee Chairman Tom McClintock (CA-04).

House Republican Members Rob Bishop, Cynthia Lummis, Scott Tipton and Doug LaMalfa also actively participated in the hearing.

To read more about the hearing, click here.

 

Hearing Examines Federal Impediments to Water Rights 
Witnesses stress importance of developing shared energy reserves 

On Thursday, Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an oversight and legislative hearing on the U.S. - Mexico Transboundary Hydrocarbon Agreement to examine steps needed for its implementation and a legislative hearing on H.R. 1613, the "Outer Continental Shelf Transboundary Hydrocarbon Agreements Authorization Act."

This legislation implements the U.S. - Mexico Transboundary Hydrocarbon Reservoirs Agreement by lifting the current moratorium on drilling in the Western Gap area of the Gulf of Mexico. It also provides the certainty needed to develop energy along the entirety of the U.S./Mexico maritime border in the Gulf of Mexico - allowing for expanded energy development in the Gulf of Mexico to create jobs, lower energy prices, and make America more energy secure.

Click here to read more about the legislation and hearing.

Featured Tweet of the Week

Rep. Jeff Duncan


Committee Approves with Bipartisan Support Keystone XL Bill and Bill to Establish Manhattan Project National Park   

On Wednesday, the Natural Resources committee held a markup on H.R. 3 and 26 other bills. This legislation would remove road blocks to allow for the approval and construction of the Keystone XL pipeline energy project.

"As we've seen time and time again, this vital energy project, like so many others, has fallen victim to Obama Administration roadblocks and delays. President Obama has held up this project for years, even though it has gone through extensive reviews. The State Department has repeatedly determined that this project would have no significant environmental impacts. Yet still, the Obama Administration refuses to act," said Chairman Doc Hastings.

The committee also approved  by unanimous consent H.R. 1208, a bipartisan bill introduced by Chairman Doc Hastings, Congressman Chuck Fleischmann and Congressman Ben Lujan to establish a Manhattan Project National Historical Park that will include facilities at Hanford, Washington, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and Los Alamos, New Mexico. The action by the Committee makes the bill eligible for consideration by the full House. 

Click here to read more about the markup and other legislation considered.

Video: Meet our Members

Rep. Cynthia Lummis (WY At-Large)

Rep. Cynthia LummisWatch Rep. Cynthia Lummis (WY At-Large) discuss the abundance of natural resources in her district in our "Meet our Members" video series.

House Republicans are focused on creating new jobs and putting people back to work.

Job Fact of the Week

The ski industry generates $12.2 billion in economic activity annually, and public land ski areas accommodate 60% of the skier/snowboarder visits in the U.S. Ski areas are major employers in rural economies, employing 160,000 people, and help drive job creation.

Connect With Our Members

Chairman
Doc Hastings, WA-04 
 

Don Young, AK-AL   
Louie Gohmert, TX-01
Rob Bishop, UT-01
Doug Lamborn, CO-02
Rob Wittman, VA-01
Paul Broun, GA-10
John Fleming, LA-04
Tom McClintock, CA-04
Glenn 'GT' Thompson, PA-05
Cynthia Lummis, WY-AL
Dan Benisheck, MI-01
Jeff Duncan, SC-03
Scott Tipton, CO-03
Paul Gosar, AZ 01
 Raul Labrador, ID-01
Steve Southerland, FL-02
Bill Flores, TX-17
Andy Harris, MD-01
Jon Runyan, NJ-03
Mark Amodei, NV-02
Markwayne Mullin, OK-02
Chris Stewart, UT-02
Steve Daines, MT-AL
Kevin Cramer, ND-AL
Doug LaMalfa, CA-01

 


Did You Know?

From high-tech manufacturing to hospitals and scientific labs, our economy and lives in the 21st century are dependent on this lighter-than-air gas. Helium is essential to the manufacturing of computer chips and fiber optic cables, is used by hospitals for life-saving medical tests like an MRI, and is critical to national defense efforts.

In Case You Missed It

OP ED: Fix Antiquities Act
Deseret News
 
The 'war on coal' moves west
Politico

OP ED: Congressman Labrador: Time to bring certainty to rural communities
News Bonners Ferry
 
Survey Finds Majority Backs Keystone Pipeline
Wall Street Journal
 
Native American Adoption Law Reviewed by High Court
AP
 
House bill would codify Gulf of Mexico drilling deal
Fuel Fix 

Members in the Media 

Watch the Natural Resources Committee Members 

Rep. Doug Lamborn

Energy and Minerals Resources Subcommittee Chairman Doug Lamborn on Fox Business after the committee approved H.R. 3, legislation relating to Keystone XL

April, 25 2013

Watch Now

 

Representative Steve Daines joined The News Hub to talk about the Keystone XL pipeline legislation that passed yesterday in the House Natural Resources Committee.

April 24, 2013

Watch Now

 

Energy and Minerals Subcommittee Chairman Doug Lamborn on Fox News speaking on Keystone XL pipeline. This week the committee passed legislation to approve the pipeline.

April 26, 2013

Watch Now



Mark Your Calendar

There is no committee activity for the week of April 29th- May 3rd while the House of Representatives has a district work week. 
 


House Committee on Natural Resources
1324 Longworth House Office Building | Washington, D.C. | 20515 | http://naturalresources.house.gov