DOI & BLM Gut Obama Job-Killing Venting & Flaring Rule

Monday, members of the Congressional Western Caucus issued statements following the announcement by the Bureau of Land Management that they are taking steps to effectively rescind the Obama BLM's 2016 Venting and Flaring Rule which caused unnecessary economic damage to responsible energy producers.

Members Chairman Paul Gosar (AZ-04), House Resources Chairman Rob Bishop (UT-01), Chairman Emeritus Steve Pearce (NM-02), Congressman Mike Johnson (LA-04), Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05), Congressman Brian Babin (TX-36), Congressman Doug LaMalfa (CA-01) and Congressman Kevin Cramer (ND-At-Large) weighed in on this great decision for American energy dominance.

Congressman Gosar said, "The Obama Administration’s costly Venting and Flaring rule was an affront to states’ rights, aimed to stifle responsible energy production on federal lands and yielded no real environmental benefit at the cost of good-paying jobs. Accordingly, I applaud the BLM and Secretary Zinke for doing the right thing for our country's ascending energy dominance by scrapping this egregious overreach by the previous administration. Their actions on this front are in line with President Trump's directive to eliminate unnecessary regulations that pose real threats to our economic security."

"Senate Democrats killed the historical opportunity to permanently rid North Dakota of the federal mediocrity that is the venting and flaring rule," stated Congressman Cramer. "I appreciate the Administration’s intentions - with the many problems associated with Obama’s rule, I look forward to closely studying its proposed replacement. It is my hope it addresses North Dakota’s issues, as we have expressed both to Interior and to the federal courts. Methane is a commodity, and facilitating its economical transfer to the market is the solution."

To read the full press release, click HERE.

Administration Releases Infrastructure Proposal

On Monday, President Trump released a list of his legislative principles outlining the modern infrastructure system that the American people deserve.

To read the full plan click HERE.

Amodei Bill to Boost American Mineral Production Progresses

On Thursday, the House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources and Chairman Gosar held an important legislative hearing on Vice-Chairman Mark Amodei's (NV-02) Strategic and Critical Minerals Bill.

H.R. 520 takes serious steps to restore US security by jump-starting critical and strategic mineral development right here at home. If you support American infrastructure, then you support this bill!

“In Montana we have not issued a significant mining permit in over 20 years,” Congressman Greg Gianforte (R-MT) stressed. “Montana is the Treasure State…we just can’t get at our treasure.”

Dr. Abraham stated, "If minerals are not mined in the U.S. with strict environmental laws, they will be mined in other countries with less stringent requirements."

Greg Lucero of Arizona Mining Inc. said, "Lack of efficiency in the permitting process has severely threatened the development of our domestic supply of critical & strategic minerals... H.R. 520 is a great start for addressing many of these issues and time delays."

To watch the full hearing and read witness testimony click HERE.

Hearing on Environmental and Security Effects from Preventing Border Patrol Access

On Thursday, the House Committee on Natural Resources Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee chaired by Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) held a hearing on the damaging environmental and security effects of denying immigration officers access to critical lands including wilderness areas. Congressman Mike Johnson's (LA-04) bill, H.R. 3593 is an important part of the discussion.

“Cross border violators take advantage of Border Patrol’s lack of operational flexibility on federal lands. We need to ensure that our environmental laws do not compromise Border Patrol’s ability to detect, identify, track, and respond to cross border violations,” Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations Chairman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) stated.

“Access is critical. If the Border Patrol does not have access, we cannot do our job with security. Our environmental laws inhibit that access from taking place,” Resources Chairman Rob Bishop (UT-01) stated.

To watch the full hearing and read witness testimony click HERE.

44 Members Urge Appropriators: Reject Feinstein Land Grab

On Friday, Western Caucus led an effort supported by 44 Members of Congress calling on Congressional Appropriators to reject a land grab provision proposed by Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA) that would skirt normal permitting processes to prevent a 56-million-ton California sand and gravel mine from opening.

Members issuing statements included Chairman Paul Gosar (AZ-04), Chief Regulatory Reform Officer Andy Biggs (AZ-05), Caucus Members Congressman Doug LaMalfa (CA-01) and Congressman Roger Marshall (KS-01), and Congressman David McKinley (WV-01).

Congressman LaMalfa (CA-01) said, “After a lengthy, 10 year review process and ultimate approval from the BLM, my colleagues in the Senate are now threatening to disrupt development contracts for political gain. This would undermine the standard orderly process by which these contracts are reviewed and approved. The contracts in question are in a remote location and would produce 56 million tons of sand and gravel over 20 years. These are essential resources for efforts to modernize and improve America’s infrastructure. This is nothing but a political land grab that would disrupt contracts that most agree would be beneficial for California. I urge the Appropriations Committees to take this into account when writing any funding measures.”

“The Feinstein land grab is a classic example of everything that is wrong with Washington. I am not surprised that over 10 years of regulatory compliance is not enough for the California Senator. I urge my colleagues to put economic freedom ahead of leftist politics,” said Congressman Biggs (AZ-05).

Read the full press release and letter HERE: http://bit.ly/2BzBwrZ

Interior Publishes Draft list of Critical Minerals

On Friday, the Department of Interior published a draft list of mineral critical to the United States.

President Trump directed DOI to publish this list of critical minerals in the Federal Register via Executive Order 13817.

You may submit written comments:

at http://www.regulations.gov by entering “DOI-2018-0001” in the Search bar and clicking “Search,” or
by mail to Critical Minerals List, MS-1530, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20240

To view the full draft list of critical minerals and receive more information click HERE.

This week, Rep. Mike Johnson (LA-04), discusses important issues for Louisiana's Fourth District including: American Energy Dominance, his "Securing Our Borders and Wilderness Act" that enhances national security, protects the environment and allows emergency response on federal lands, as well as his "SEA Act" which streamlines the coastal permitting process and encourages development of our bountiful offshore resources.

Click HERE or on the picture below to watch this week's address.