House Passes Bills Aimed at Balancing Resource Needs

This week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed several pieces of legislation aimed at balancing the nation’s energy security, economic, and natural resource protection needs, including H.R. 6285, the Alaska's Right to Produce Act, and H.R. 3397, the Western Economic Security Today Act:

“We commend Roosevelt Conservation Caucus (RCC) members Rep. Stauber and Rep. Westerman for their work on Alaska’s Right to Produce Act,” said ConservAmerica Vice President Todd Johnston. “By reinstating oil leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and blocking regulations that strand energy resources in the National Petroleum Reserve - Alaska, this legislation allows for responsible development in these areas, as originally intended by Congress.“

Additionally, yesterday the U.S. House passed the Western Economic Security Today (WEST) Act (H.R. 3397), sponsored by RCC member, Rep. Curtis. This important legislation would require BLM to withdraw a recently finalized rule that prioritizes conservation over the federal land use practices that Congress specified in the Federal Land Policy and Management Act.   

“Our public lands are a natural resource that help provide the agriculture, livestock, forestry, and the energy and mineral resources that drive our nation’s economy,” continued Johnston. “BLM cannot re-prioritize the statutory criterion for land use in a manner that is inconsistent with its directive to manage public lands according to principles of sustained yield.”

Last year we submitted comments on the rule, which you can read here, pointing out its deficiencies and asking BLM to withdraw the proposal. 

“While conservation is a laudable goal, the administration should pursue a more collaborative approach to conserving additional federal lands that takes into consideration our country’s dependence on these areas for vital resource needs and the energy and economic implications from removing these areas from productive use.”