On Wednesday, September 4th, the House Natural Resources Committee held two Full Committee field hearings in Casper, Wyoming and Billings, Montana on “State and Local Efforts to Protect Species, Jobs, Property, and Multiple Use Amidst a New War on the West.” At these hearings, witnesses discussed how federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) listings can impact local jobs and the economy and how federal litigation often stands in the way of successful local and state recovery efforts. Watch some of the local news coverage below: KTWO News in Casper, Wyoming KCWY News in Casper, Wyoming KTVQ in Bill... Read More »

This week the National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group raised the National Preparedness Level to 5, its highest level indicating high fire activity with increasing threats. The last time the National Preparedness Level was raised to 5 was July 1, 2008 and remained at this highest level for 22 days. A raised preparedness level indicates a high degree of wildfire activity, a major commitment of fire resources and the probability that severe conditions will continue for at least a few days. This announcement comes as news outlets across the country report that the federal government is running ou... Read More »

Last week, NBC Nightly News highlighted the wildfires burning throughout the United States. There are currently 39 fires in 11 states. The map below shows location and proximity of the current fires. This year is on track to be a record year for wildfires. Watch Here: Read More »

In a recent article in The Atlantic, Karl Smith from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, explains how hydraulic fracturing could help end gasoline price volatility. Hydraulic fracturing allows the development of oil reserves that have previously been unreachable with other forms of energy exploration. While a traditional well may produce 50 barrels of oil per day, a fracked well can produce upwards of 7,000 barrels per day. This fracked crude oil is much lighter, which means that more refineries can process the lighter crude. With more crude able to be refined, more gasoline can co... Read More »

The Natural Resources Morning News Round-up: Associated Press – Matthew Daly: “Report: Wildlife agency ignored whistle-blowers” Tri-City Herald – Geoff Folsom: “Franklin County farmer testifies in Washington, D.C., to protect bladderpod” Capital Press – Tim Hearden: “Hastings bill aims to improve forest management, prevent wildfires” The World – Thomas Moriarty: “Timber bill moves ahead in U.S. House” HydroWorld: “U.S. House committee approves additional small conduit hydro development bill” Greenwire – Phil Taylor: “Interior fetches $3.8M in first-ever competitive lease sale” Washington Post ... Read More »

The Natural Resources Morning News Round-up: The Hill – Ben Geman: “House panel votes to block Interior’s ‘fracking’ rule” Fuel Fix – Jennifer A. Dlouhy: “GOP advances bill to block federal fracturing rules” Durango Herald – Joe Hanel: “Tipton’s healthy-forest bill makes it through House panel” Missoulian – Rob Chaney: “Daines amendments focus on forest fires, mismanagement” Pueblo Chieftain – Chris Woodka: “Forest health bill moves in House” Washington Examiner – Michael Conger: “House investigators often get cold shoulder from Obama's executive branch” The Hill – Ben Geman: “Lawmakers debate... Read More »

The Natural Resources Morning News Round-up: The Hill – Ben Geman: “Obama taps Interior official for deputy secretary post” Associated Press: “Feds to lease mineral rights in Ohio forest” Associated Press: “3 Native American tribes seek funding for satellite voter registration, early voting stations” Associated Press: Heather Hollingsworth: “Criticism of Blueway program persists after Interior Dept. rescinds White River's designation” KSMU – Jennifer Davidson: “Crowd Packs Field Hearing on 'Blueways' Designation; Concerns Over Property Rights, Federal Infringement High” E&E – Emily Yehle: “Wi... Read More »

President Obama’s low-ball estimate for Keystone XL jobs By Glenn Kessler 7/30/2013 “My hope would be that any reporter who is looking at the facts would take the time to confirm that the most realistic estimates are this might create maybe 2,000 jobs during the construction of the pipeline — which might take a year or two — and then after that we’re talking about somewhere between 50 and 100 [chuckles] jobs in a economy of 150 million working people.” — President Obama, interview with The New York Times, July 24, 2013 We are always interested when the president directs reporters to look at t... Read More »

The Natural Resources Morning News Round-up: Fuel Fix – Jennifer A. Dlouhy: “Flores: Fracturing rules would give feds a foot in the door” Washington Times – Ben Wolfgang and Dave Boyer: “Keystone pipeline supporters slam Obama’s skeptical comments on economic impact” Fuel Fix – Emily Pickrell: “Texas will continue to lead US oil boom” Cortez Journal – Jim Mimiaga: “Gunnison sage grouse decision postponed” Indian Country Today – Adrian Jawort: “$1.9 Billion Dispute: Tribal Leaders Fuming Over Cobell Land Buy-Back Program” Michigan Live – Zane McMillin: “Lawmakers press for Sleeping Bear Dunes w... Read More »

The Natural Resources Morning News Round-up: The Hill – Ben Geman: “GOP lawmaker warns Interior’s fracking rule could lead to cascade of new regs” Oregonian – Scott Learn: “Interior Department extends Chetco River gold mining withdrawal for five years” The Hill – Ben Geman: “Obama criticizes pro-Keystone pipeline jobs, gas price claims” New York Times – Norimitsu Onishi: “A Plan to Save Yosemite by Curbing Its Visitors” Washington Post – Darryl Fears: “U.S., groups working to open more public access to Chesapeake” KOLR: “Congressmen to Hold Public Meeting on Blueways System” Read More »