Washington, D.C. (May 25th, 2016) - Today the U.S. House passed an energy policy and natural resources package and motioned to go to conference with the U.S. Senate on the legislation.
Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Cynthia Lummis (WY-At large), Vice Chairmen Mark Amodei (NV-02) and Paul Gosar (AZ-04), and caucus member Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR-04) issued the following statements in response:
"The House energy package would reinvigorate America as a global energy leader while ensuring reliable and affordable energy for American families," said Chairman Lummis. "Today we passed provisions to streamline responsible development of our natural resources, reinforce proper stewardship of our water and forests, empower tribal governments to produce their resources, and ensure America remains a leader on energy policy by allowing our producers to compete in international markets. This bill also supports successful conservation by reinstating the U.S. Fish and Wildlife's science-based decision to return gray wolves in Wyoming and in the Western Great Lakes region to the capable hands of the states. I am proud of the House bill and look forward to a productive conference with the Senate."
"Today's vote is a huge win for the West," said Vice Chairman Amodei. "From advancing energy infrastructure development, to promoting enhanced land management policies, this bill contains a number of provisions that offer meaningful solutions to the challenges facing Western states. I commend my colleagues in the House for coming together to advance this critical, bipartisan piece of legislation that will allow true, responsible multiple use of Western land and resources."
"For those of us in the West, common sense energy policies go hand-in-hand with our economy, our environment and our way of life," said Vice Chairman Gosar. "Today's House passed legislation takes significant steps to improve the lives of countless western energy users, sportsmen and farmers. Additionally, I'm pleased to see today's legislation include my bipartisan Grand Canyon Bison Management Act which will reduce an invasive bison species from the Grand Canyon National Park at no cost to taxpayers."
"Inclusion of the Resilient Federal Forests Act in amendments to the Senate energy bill shows the importance of updated forestry policy," said Rep. Westerman. "Over 10 million acres of federal land went up in smoke last year. It is clear that the policies of the last several decades failed. Active forest management is needed to improve forest health, prevent wildfire, promote clean air and water, improve wildlife habitat, strengthen rural America, and protect life and property. I am proud to see this important legislation pass the House for a second time, and hope to see the President sign it into law."
The House energy package would:
- expedite the approval process for American liquefied natural gas exports;
- require hard deadlines for environmental reviews and permitting of energy infrastructure projects;
- facilitate energy production on tribal lands;
- require the designation of pipeline corridors across federal land;
- improve management of electrical transmission rights-of-way across federal land;
- streamline development of strategic and critical minerals;
- improve federal forest management to restore resilience and health to public forests;
- provide relief for drought stricken California;
- streamline water storage projects in the western United States and protect private water rights;
- restore the tracking and reporting of attorney fees under the Equal access to Justice Act;
- restore U.S. Fish and Wildlife's decision to delist the gray wolf in the Western Great Lakes and the State of Wyoming.