Latest News
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press release | 02/14/2013The House Natural Resources Committee today held a Full Committee hearing entitled, The Past, Present and Future of the Federal Helium Program, which focused on H.R. 527, the “Responsible Helium Administration and Stewardship Act,” bipartisan legislation that applies free-market principals to prevent a global helium shortage and provide American taxpayers with a fair return for the resources. “Helium plays a large role in our daily lives and the 21st century economy. Life-saving MRI machines, hi...... read more+-
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committee activities | 02/14/2013Oversight Hearing on: "The Past, Present and Future of the Federal Helium Program" Legislative Hearing on: H.R. 527 (Hastings, R-WA, Markey, D-MA, Flores R-TX and Holt D-NJ), To complete the privatization of the Federal helium reserve in a competitive market fashion that ensures stability in the helium markets while protecting the interests of the American taxpayer, and for other purposes. "Responsible Helium Administration and Stewardship Act" Members Statements: The Honorable Doc Hastings Chai...... read more+-
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press release | 02/13/2013During last night’s State of the Union, President Obama claimed his Administration has been actively working to speed up Applications for Permits to Drill (APDs) for energy producers on federal lands: “That’s why my Administration will keep cutting red tape and speeding up new oil and gas permits.” But facts are stubborn things and that statement simply is not true. Under President Obama’s leadership, it has taken on average 30 percent longer, compared to the previous four years, to approve new ...... read more+-
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press release | 02/12/2013House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) tonight released the following statement in response to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address: “During tonight’s State of the Union address, the President once again spoke about job creation and economic growth, but continued to ignore the economic opportunities that exist through energy production on federal lands and the responsible management of our Nation’s natural resources. Tonight’s speech was further indication...... read more+-
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blog | 02/12/2013Gasoline Costs Hit Families' Finances February 5, 2013 Wall Street Journal By Tennille Tracy Gasoline prices took a big bite out of Americans' pocketbooks in 2012. The average U.S. household paid an estimated $2,912 for gasoline last year, sucking up nearly 4% of the average household income before taxes, according to government data out Monday. That is the highest percentage in three decades, with the exception of 2008, when the rate was nearly identical. Many people are trying to cut down on f...... read more+-
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PRESS RELEASE | 02/14/2013
Witnesses Agree on Swift Action To Reform Federal Helium Program, Save Tens of Thousands of Jobs
The House Natural Resources Committee today held a Full Committee hearing entitled, The Past, Present and Future of the Federal Helium Program, which focused on H.R. 527, the “Responsible Helium Administration and Stewardship Act,” bipartisan legislation that applies free-market principals to prevent a global helium shortage and provide American taxpayers with a fair return for the resources. “Hel...... read more+- -
PRESS RELEASE | 02/13/2013
Under President Obama’s Leadership, Permits to Drill on Federal Lands Take 30 Percent Longer to Approve
During last night’s State of the Union, President Obama claimed his Administration has been actively working to speed up Applications for Permits to Drill (APDs) for energy producers on federal lands: “That’s why my Administration will keep cutting red tape and speeding up new oil and gas permits.” But facts are stubborn things and that statement simply is not true. Under President Obama’s leaders...... read more+- -
PRESS RELEASE | 02/12/2013
Chairman Hastings' Statement on the President's State of the Union Address
House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) tonight released the following statement in response to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address: “During tonight’s State of the Union address, the President once again spoke about job creation and economic growth, but continued to ignore the economic opportunities that exist through energy production on federal lands and t...... read more+- -
PRESS RELEASE | 02/07/2013
Chairman Hastings Joins Letter Urging Extended Comment Period for Locals on Lesser Prairie-Chicken ESA Designation
House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04), joined House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (OK-03), Rep. Randy Neubebauer (TX-19), and six other members of Congress in sending a letter to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (FWS) Director Dan Ashe calling on him to promptly approve state and local plans to protect the Lesser Prairie Chicken and requesting reasonable exten...... read more+- -
PRESS RELEASE | 02/07/2013
Subcommittee Chairman Bishop Leads Request for Comprehensive Analysis of NEPA’s Costs and Regulatory Burdens on Taxpayers
House Natural Resources Public Lands and Environmental Regulation Subcommittee Chairman Rob Bishop (UT-01), along with Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04), Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (MI-06), Armed Services Committee Chairman Howard “Buck” McKeon (CA-25), and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (PA-09), today sent a letter ...... read more+-
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TWITTER | 02/16/2013
RT @MarkAmodeiNV2: In ranking of countries for mining investment, US ranks LAST in permitting delays #jobs #NVmining @NatResources http: ...
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TWITTER | 02/15/2013
RT @RepKevinCramer: I introduced my first bill through @NatResources that reduces the time it takes to gain a permit to drill on fed lan ...
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TWITTER | 02/15/2013
Natural Resources GOP #FF @DocHastings @repdonyoung @replouiegohmert @RepRobBishop @RepDLamborn @RobWittman @RepPaulBrounMD
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TWITTER | 02/15/2013
Natural Resources GOP #FF @RepFleming @RepMcClintock @CongressmanGT @CynthiaLummis @CongressmanDan @RepJeffDuncan @RepTipton
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TWITTER | 02/15/2013
Natural Resources GOP #FF @RepGosar @Raul_Labrador @Rep_Southerland @RepBillFlores @RepAndyHarrisMD @RepJonRunyan @MarkAmodeiNV2
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BLOG | 02/14/2013
Memo Shows Energy Workers Earn More, Receive Larger Annual Raises
A Congressional Research Service (CRS) memo released this week shows that wages for workers in oil and gas extraction have increased over 23% since 2007. During a time period in which the U.S. has faced dire unemployment rates, rampant job loss, and near economic collapse, workers in the oil and gas industry have continued to see above average increases in earnings. The oil and natural gas industr...... read more+- -
BLOG | 02/12/2013
Wall Street Journal: Gasoline Costs Hit Families' Finances
Gasoline Costs Hit Families' Finances February 5, 2013 Wall Street Journal By Tennille Tracy Gasoline prices took a big bite out of Americans' pocketbooks in 2012. The average U.S. household paid an estimated $2,912 for gasoline last year, sucking up nearly 4% of the average household income before taxes, according to government data out Monday. That is the highest percentage in three decades, wit...... read more+- -
BLOG | 02/08/2013
H.R. 527, The Responsible Helium Administration and Stewardship Act, Receiving Early Support from Hi-tech Manufacturers
Manufacturers of computer chips, fiber-optic cables, semi-conductors, life-saving medical imaging devices, and other advanced technologies are already calling for passage of H.R. 527, The Responsible Helium Administration and Stewardship Act. This bipartisan legislation, introduced this week by Chairman Doc Hastings, would prevent the closure of the Federal Helium Reserve, which by law is schedule...... read more+- -
BLOG | 01/14/2013
Wildfire prevention is 1st priority in new Congress
Wildfire prevention is 1st priority in new Congress Glenwood Springs Post Independent Rep. Scott Tipton January 14, 2013 As we begin the 113th Congress, I'm incredibly honored to have earned the trust of the people of the 3rd Congressional District and to serve as their representative for a second term. During my first term, I focused on advancing the issues that most directly impact Coloradans. ...... read more+-
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VIDEOS | 01/31/2013
Shortage of Workers for High-paying Jobs in the Oil and Gas Industry via Fox News
This segment from Fox News discusses the shortage of workers in the Oil and Gas industry and how states in high-demand are working to fill these jobs and get people back to work.+- -
VIDEOS | 09/21/2012
Republican House Leaders Press Conference on the Stop the War on Coal Act
On Friday, September 21, 2012 a group of House leaders held a press conference to urge support for HR 3409, the "Stop the War on Coal Act," which the House will vote on later that day. Sponsored by Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH), the Stop the War on Coal Act is comprised of a series of bills advanced by the Energy and Commerce Committee, the Natural Resources Committee, and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee that aim to stop EPA's regulatory assault on jobs and affordable electricity. The House Members were joined by a group of West Virginia coal miners who have experienced firsthand the destructive consequences of the administration's war on coal.+- -
VIDEOS | 09/20/2012
Chairman Hastings: President Obama's War on Coal is REAL
House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) delivered the following opening statement on the House floor today in support of HR 3409, the "Stop the War on Coal Act."+- -
VIDEOS | 07/24/2012
Hastings Statement on the Congressional Replacement of the Obama No-New-Drilling Offshore Plan
House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) delivered the following opening statement on the House floor today in support of HR 6082, the Congressional Replacement of President Obama's Energy-Restricting and Job-Limiting Offshore Drilling Plan. Learn more here: naturalresources.house.gov+-
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COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES | 02/14/2013
Full Committee Oversight Hearing on "The Past, Present and Future of the Federal Helium Program" and Legislative Hearing on H.R. 527
Oversight Hearing on:
- "The Past, Present and Future of the Federal Helium Program"
Legislative Hearing on:
- H.R. 527 (Hastings, R-WA, Markey, D-MA, Flores R-TX and Holt D-NJ), To complete the privatization of the Federal helium reserve in a competitive market fashion that ensures stability in the helium markets while protecting the interests of the American taxpayer, and for other purposes. "Responsible Helium Administration and Stewardship Act"
Members Statements:
The Honorable Doc Hastings
ChairmanWitnesses and Testimony:
PANEL I
Tim Spisak
Deputy Assistant Director
Minerals and Realty Management
Bureau of Land Management
Department of the Interior
Daniel Garcia-Diaz
Director
National Resources and Environment
U.S. Government Accountability Office
Kimberly Elmore
Assistant Inspector General for Audits, Inspections, and Evaluations
U.S. Department of the Interior
PANEL IIRodney Morgan
VP of Procurement
Micron Technology
(Truth in Testimony Form)
Brad Boersen
Director, Strategic Planning & Analysis for Optical Fiber
Corning Incorporated
(Truth in Testimony Form)
Gary Page
President
Helium & Balloons Across America
(Truth in Testimony Form)
Dr. Sam Aronson
Vice President
APS Physics
(Truth in Testimony Form)
PANEL III
David Joyner
President
Air Liquide Helium America, Inc.
(Truth in Testimony Form)
Tom Thoman
Division President – Gases Production
Airgas, Inc.
(Truth in Testimony Form)
Kevin Lynch
Senior Vice President
Specialty Gases & Helium
Matheson Tri-Gas
(Truth in Testimony Form)
Walter Nelson
Director, Sourcing & Supply Chain
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
(Truth in Testimony Form)
Nick Haines
Head Global Helium Source Development
Linde North America
(Truth in Testimony Form)
Scott Kaltrider
Vice President, Business Management and Helium
Praxair, Inc.
(Truth in Testimony Form)Background:
This hearing will focus on the existing U.S. demand for helium, the future of the federally owned helium reserve, and the impact the eventual closure of the U.S. reserve would have on the U.S. scientific, technical, medical, and defense industries that depend upon helium for manufacturing and research. Originally created as a federal helium extraction and purification plant, the BLM reserve is today managed in a single reservoir and pipeline system located in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. The Responsible Helium Administration and Stewardship Act (H.R. 527) is a common sense plan to prevent the closure of the Federal Helium Reserve, which by law is scheduled to close later this year resulting in a 30% reduction in the global helium supply. This bipartisan legislation would sell helium from the Federal Helium Reserve in a responsible manner to prevent shortages, protect jobs and the economy, and ensure a fairer return for taxpayers.
Related Documents:
- Press Release - Chairman Hastings Introduces Free-Market Plan to Prevent Global Helium Shortage, Provide Taxpayers Fair Return on Helium Sales (2/6/2013)
- Full Committee Hearing Notice - February 7, 2013
- Full Committee Hearing Witness List - February 13, 2013
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COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES | 01/23/2013
Full Committee Organizational Meeting for the 113th Congress
Organizational Meeting to:
- Adopt the Committee Rules, the Committee Oversight Plan for the 113th Congress, and appoint Committee staff.
Archived Video Webcast:
Member Statements:
The Honorable Doc Hastings
ChairmanRelated Documents:
- Committee Hearing Notice - January 17, 2013
- Adopted Committee Rules - January 23, 2013
- Adopted Committee Oversight Plan - January 23, 2013
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COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES | 12/05/2012
Full Committee Markup on H.R. 6364, H.R. 752 and S. 3193
COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES
1324 Longworth House Office Building
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
10:00 a.m.FULL COMMITTEE MARKUP ON:
- H.R. 6364 (Poe), To establish a commission to ensure a suitable observance of the centennial of World War I, to designate memorials to the service of members of the United States Armed Forces in World War I, including a National World War I Memorial on the National Mall in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes."Frank Buckles World War I Memorial Act"
- H.R. 752 (Schrader), To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate segments of the Molalla River in the State of Oregon, as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and for other purposes."Molalla River Wild and Scenic Rivers Act"
- S. 3193 (Feinstein), To make technical corrections to the legal description of certain land to be held in trust for the Barona Band of Mission Indians, and for other purposes. "Barona Band of Mission Indians Land Transfer Clarification Act of 2012"
COMMITTEE ACTION:
The Committee on Natural Resources met in open session on Wednesday, December 5, 2012, to consider the following bills:
H.R. 6364 (Poe), To establish a commission to ensure a suitable observance of the centennial of World War I, to designate memorials to the service of members of the United States Armed Forces in World War I, including a National World War I Memorial on the National Mall in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes. “Frank Buckles World War I Memorial Act”
The Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 6364.
- An amendment offered by Mr. Bishop of Utah.084 was AGREED TO by unanimous consent.
- The long title was amended by unanimous consent.
Adopted and favorably reported to the House of Representatives, as amended, by unanimous consent.
H.R. 752 (Schrader), To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate segments of the Molalla River in the State of Oregon, as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and for other purposes. “Molalla River Wild and Scenic Rivers Act”
The Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 752.
- An amendment offered by Mr. Bishop of Utah.086 was AGREED TO by unanimous consent.
Adopted and favorably reported to the House of Representatives, as amended, by unanimous consent.
S. 3193 (Feinstein), To make technical corrections to the legal description of certain land to be held in trust for the Barona Band of Mission Indians, and for other purposes. “Barona Band of Mission Indians Land Transfer Clarification Act of 2012”
The Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs was discharged from further consideration of S. 3193.
Adopted and favorably reported to the House of Representatives by unanimous consent.
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COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES | 12/04/2012
Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs Legislative Hearing on S. 3193
SUBCOMMITTEE ON INDIAN AND ALASKA NATIVE AFFAIRS
1334 Longworth House Office Building
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
11:00 a.m.LEGISLATIVE HEARING ON:
- S. 3193 (Feinstein), To make technical corrections to the legal description of certain land to be held in trust for the Barona Band of Mission Indians, and for other purposes. "Barona Band of Mission Indians Land Transfer Clarification Act of 2012’"
WITNESSES AND TESTIMONY:
Panel I
The Honorable Duncan Hunter, CA-52
Member of CongressPanel II
Michael Black
Director
Bureau of Indian Affairs
U.S. Department of the InteriorThe Honorable Edwin Romero
... read more
Chairman
Barona Band of Mission Indians+- -
COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES | 11/29/2012
Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs Legislative Hearing on H.R. 511
SUBCOMMITTEE ON FISHERIES, WILDLIFE, OCEANS AND INSULAR AFFAIRS
1334 Longworth House Office Building
Thursday, November 29, 2012
10:30 a.m.LEGISLATIVE HEARING ON:
- H.R. 511 (Rooney), To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit the importation of various injurious species of constrictor snakes.
OPENING STATEMENT:
The Honorable John Fleming
ChairmanWITNESSES AND TESTIMONY:
Panel I
Dr. Brady Barr
Dangerous Encounters
National Geographic Channel
(Truth in Testimony Form)John Kostyack
Vice President
National Wildlife Federation
(Truth in Testimony Form)Shawn K. Heflick
The Python Hunters
National Geographic Channel
(Truth in Testimony Form)Colette Sutherland
“The Snake Keeper”
Spanish Fork, UT
(Truth in Testimony Form)Peter Jenkins
Executive Director
National Environmental Coalition on Invasive Species
(Truth in Testimony Form)Andrew Wyatt
... read more
President
United States Association of Reptile Keepers
(Truth in Testimony Form)+-
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FACEBOOK | 02/14/2013
Be sure to check out our blog post on energy workers earning more and receiving...
Be sure to check out our blog post on energy workers earning more and receiving larger raises since 2007 despite the countrywide economic downturn. http://naturalresources.house.gov/blog/?postid=320117Blognaturalresources.house.gov... read more+- -
FACEBOOK | 02/13/2013
Congressman Tipton, a member of our Committte, reintroduced "The Hydropower and...
Congressman Tipton, a member of our Committte, reintroduced "The Hydropower and Rural Jobs Act" with bipartisan support today. This legislation would increase production of clean, renewable hydropower while also creating rural jobs. http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/tipton-reintroduces-pro-jobs-hydropower-bill-senate-companionTipton Reintroduces Pro-Jobs Hydropower Bill with Senate Companion |...... read more+- -
FACEBOOK | 02/08/2013
Great read in the Alaska Dispatch on energy development in Alaska creating thous...
Great read in the Alaska Dispatch on energy development in Alaska creating thousands of jobs. Read the story here:Study: Open ANWR, create 61,000 jobswww.alaskadispatch.comAn oil and gas policy group has issued a new report saying that opening ANWR could create 61,000 jobs for Alaska.... read more+- -
FACEBOOK | 01/23/2013
Today, the Committee met for the first time for the 113th Congress. Check out th...
Today, the Committee met for the first time for the 113th Congress. Check out the new and returning faces to the House Committee on Natural Resources this Congress. Be sure to Like them on Facebook, too!... read more+-