Letters to the Editor for Thursday, July 23, 2009 Jul 24, 2009
They say that both plastic and biodegradable bags require the same amount of energy and natural resources to produce, when mixed with regular plastics they can cause a sorting nightmare rendering recyclable bags useless, and the breakdown of starch (used in their manufacture) in water depletes the oxygen causing problems to marine life. Instead of banning plastic bags in retail stores altogether, how about a campaign to educate our fellow citizens on the evils of using plastic and have a supply... (Lihue Garden Island, HA)
Healthcare delay may complicate U.S. climate debate Jul 24, 2009
And so does Democratic Senator Jeff Bingaman, who chairs the Energy and Natural Resources Committee that will have a major role in the climate debate. Even before healthcare reform hit delays, many senators were skeptical there would be time this year to pass a climate bill before December's Copenhagen meeting, which hopes to nail down new long-term targets for global reductions in carbon dioxide emissions. (Scientific American)
Tester: Forest bill balances interests Jul 19, 2009
Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, to get the bill up as quickly as possible. He anticipates that will be this fall. (Missoulian, MT)
Legislators defend Jackson energy symposium Jul 18, 2009
Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, has also been invited to speak. His office said Monday that its still not clear whether he will be able to attend. (Gillette News-Record, WY)
Corruption drive Jul 18, 2009
"Any Kazatomprom contract has to be approved by the government and the ministry of energy and natural resources. Technically it is impossible that Dzhakishev could have appropriated 60% of uranium deposits," says Mr Smirnov. During his 10-year tenure Mr Dzhakishev led Kazatomptom to become one of the world's top uranium producers. (BBC News -- Asia-Pacific)
Sahuarita has seat at Washington talks on mines Jul 17, 2009
Salazar told the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee it is time to ensure a fair return to the public for mining activities that occur on public lands and to address the cleanup of abandoned mines. Farmers Investment Co. owners Dick Walden and Nan Stockholm Walden of Sahuarita and two other local activists attended the hearing and presented senators with an inch-thick set of documents on the proposed Rosemont Copper mine in the Santa Rita Mountains titled, An Example of the Devastating... (Green Valley News & Sun, AZ)
Platts Energy Podium: U.S. FERC Commissioner Marc Spitzer Sees Need for Added Authority Jul 16, 2009
The climate-change bill recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives would give FERC such authority, and an energy package endorsed by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in June contained similar language. The legislative initiative, backed by FERC from the beginning, has industry groups worried about the potentially sweeping authority the commission would obtain. (PR Newswire)
New push to reform 1872 mining law Jul 15, 2009
Despite the press of health care reform and other signature issues embraced by President Obama, Congress still needs to take care of important but more mundane business like mining reform, Salazar told the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Salazar, a former Colorado senator, said he sees "an emergence of bipartisan pressure to get this done.". (MSNBC -- Environment)
Interior secretary: Mining reform a top priority Jul 15, 2009
McCain spokeswoman Brooke Buchanan confirmed the Arizona senator will oppose the nominations of Bob Abbey as director of the Bureau of Land Management and Wilma Lewis as Interior assistant secretary for land and minerals management when they are voted on by the Energy and Natural Resources Committee ... Despite the press of health care reform and other signature issues embraced by President Obama, Congress still needs to take care of important but more mundane business like mining reform,... (Fresno Bee -- Business)
• McCain to hold up Obama nominees over copper mine Jul 11, 2009
McCain spokeswoman Brooke Buchanan confirmed the Arizona senator will oppose the nominations of Bob Abbey as director of the Bureau of Land Management and Wilma Lewis as Interior assistant secretary for land and minerals management when they are voted on by the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. She said he intends after that to place holds on the nominations when they come before the full Senate for a final confirmation vote. (Burley South Idaho Press, ID)
Local businesses set goals for Go Green! Wichita initiative Jul 10, 2009
It also will promote recycling and energy and natural resources conservation. Go Green supporters want the organization to be an educational and informational resource for the business community by sharing best practices and engaging community leaders to measure the effect of conservation efforts across the city. (Wichita Business Journal, KS)
Reid Dismisses Need for Another Stimulus Jul 8, 2009
Reid is scheduled to meet Wednesday with the chairmen of the Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry; Commerce, Science and Transportation; Foreign Relations; Energy and Natural Resources; Environment and Public Works; and Finance committees to discuss climate change. The Energy Committee approved a clean energy bill just before the July Fourth break. (Roll Call)
Bailout of U.S. Banks Gives British Rum Maker Diageo $2.7 Billion Benefit Jun 29, 2009
He met with Representative of New York, whos chairman of the Ways and Means Committee; Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman of New Mexico; West Virginia Senator ; and then Interior Secretary. We wanted to be very upfront with everybody about what we were doing, says deJongh, a former commercial banker for whats now As part of the transparency, he says, all of the information was posted on the territorial governments Web site. (Bloomberg)
Grayson on Track to Raise About $500,000 in Kentucky Jun 28, 2009
Bunning, who serves on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, was set to appear at a fundraiser hosted by Kentucky Coal Association President Bill Caylor on Monday night, but late last week Caylor said he postponed the event until August due to late notice and attendees being on vacation. Caylor said Friday that he wanted to get individuals from the oil and gas industry involved in the event as well as supporters in the coal industry, but due to the late scheduling of the fundraiser he... (Roll Call)
FWP names Noonan deputy director Jun 27, 2009
John Melcher, where he staffed the House Interior Committee and the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Noonan recently resigned as director of the Montana Democratic Party. (Montana Standard, MT)
Party peers in Senate vote Murkowski to leadership role Jun 26, 2009
Another sex scandal, former senator Larry Craig's 2007 arrest in a Minneapolis airport bathroom, also indirectly helped her land the job of the ranking Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. His retirement sped Murkowski's rise as the ranking Republican on that committee. (Anchorage Daily News)
Boxer to Start Marking Up Climate Bill on July 27 Jun 25, 2009
According to a Senate source, attendees at Tuesday s meeting included Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and Democratic Pennsylvania Sens ... Other Senate committees that could weigh in on the bill include Finance; Energy and Natural Resources; Foreign Relations; Commerce, Science and Transportation; and Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. (Roll Call)
Natural Gas Sits Out 2009 Rally As U.S. Reserves Hit New Highs Jun 24, 2009
"The U.S. natural gas supply has undergone a major structural shift," said Rehan Rashid, group head of energy and natural resources research at FBR Capital. Avg. (Investors Business Daily)
Commissioner: 'No to Big Oil Jun 17, 2009
We witnessed the potentially devastating effects of this misinformation campaign when the Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee voted to open up Florida's coast to drilling, the letter to Nelson reads. There are faster, cheaper, and cleaner alternatives to drilling including energy efficiency and renewable energy sources, it said. (Tampa Bay Business Journal, FL)
Congress dilutes Obama clean energy goals Jun 16, 2009
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee is expected to approve on Thursday energy measures that specify 15 percent of power used in the United States come from renewable sources by 2021. A huge climate bill, likely to be considered by House members in the coming weeks, would require 20 percent renewable energy use by 2020. (MSNBC -- Environment)
Washington Post: Climate Bill Badly Flawed May 25, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009. SIGN UP FOR FREE NEWS ALERTS. (Newsmax)
House Climate Bill Facing Senate Headwinds May 18, 2009
A big part of the problem is the sheer number of committees beyond EPW with jurisdiction over the issues, including Finance; Foreign Relations; Commerce, Science and Transportation; and Energy and Natural Resources. In the Senate, there s no real sense of how we re going to do climate change, the knowledgeable Democratic aide said. (Roll Call)
Rep. Lubnau to testify in D.C. on sequestration May 14, 2009
Lubnau will be the only state representative to testify on Wyomings sequestration laws Thursday before the U.S. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. The fact that no other legislators from any state in the country is on the panel of witnesses speaks volumes about the progress the Wyoming Legislature made in sequestration. (Gillette News-Record, WY)
Advocates: right time for mining law reform May 14, 2009
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., has introduced a reform bill, and House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Nick Rahall, D-W.Va. already has held a hearing on his own legislation. (Juneau Empire)
Senate nod likely, though Murkowski objects May 13, 2009
Murkowski, the top Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, last week joined fellow Republican Sen ... "My intention is, however, to get clear answers and commitments with regard to what I and the American people should expect from our Interior Department when it comes to the pressing and fragile issues surrounding the stewardship of energy and natural resources on federal public lands under your jurisdiction and mine." ... But it wasn't enough, Murkowski spokesman Robert... (Anchorage Daily News)
Indiana Senator Evan Bayh to Cut Ribbon on First Mass Manufacturing Line in the U.S. for Lithium-Ion Automotive Batteries at EnerDel Plant May 7, 2009
Senator Bayh, who sits on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee with oversight for national energy policy, is also expected to offer comments before other distinguished invitees from industry and the scientific community, EnerDel plant engineers and staff, as well as local and national media. "Indiana long ago established itself as a national leader in building homegrown, high-tech automotive components, so it is fitting that our state is now on the precipice of building a new... (PR Newswire)
Lawmakers work to set budget May 5, 2009
Votes were also expected on spending for energy and natural resources programs and, in the Senate, an economic development budget ... For example, the energy and natural resources bill cuts 60 million from current spending levels, said Democratic Rep. (Winona Daily News, MN)
2008 U.S. Senate Race: Johnson vs. Dykstra (2) May 3, 2009
As a senior member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, I was proud of what we accomplished when the committee passed the first nationwide Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), leading to enactment of the groundbreaking Energy Policy Act of 2005. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 further expanded the RFS to ensure that at least 15 billion gallons of ethanol will be in our fuel supply by 2015. (Sioux Falls Tri-State Neighbor, SD)
U.S. bill to create clean energy investment agency May 2, 2009
The bipartisan bill, introduced by Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Jeff Bingaman and ranking member Lisa Murkowski, would establish a Clean Energy Deployment Administration within the Energy Department ... The Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee is currently considering a host of measures aimed at increasing U.S. renewable energy production and energy efficiency. (Scientific American)
U.S. lawmakers discuss more government power over grid May 1, 2009
"We can not and will not maximize the production of renewable energy in this country unless we fix the transmission problem," Democrat Senator Byron Dorgan of North Dakota said at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee meeting. President Barack Obama has pledged to double renewable energy production in three years. (Scientific American)
EPA calls greenhouse gases a danger to public Apr 19, 2009
Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, the top Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said she is disappointed by the EPA action. "Placing a mandatory cap on carbon emissions has serious implications for every corner of our already fragile economy," Murkowski said. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Court ends Alaska offshore drilling plan Apr 18, 2009
Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, the top Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. "Alaska's outer continental shelf is America's energy storehouse and it needs to be developed with sensitivity to climate change and marine life," Murkowski said, "but I am troubled that the groups behind this litigation are engaging in the too-familiar tactic of suing on every possible issue, no matter the legal merits.". (Anchorage Daily News)
Palin to raise money for Murkowski's re-election Apr 10, 2009
Murkowski also is the top Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the only woman on the Senate GOP's leadership team. Murkowski was appointed to her Senate seat by her father, former Sen. (Juneau Empire)
Bill would modify century-old mine law Apr 8, 2009
There is renewed interest on the part of many in the industry and in the environmental community in trying to update this law, said Bingaman, who chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The mining industry plays an important role in our part of the country. (Grants Cibola County Beacon, NM)
Tax plan called bad for small oil firms Mar 29, 2009
Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, the ranking Republican on the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. "Punishing the domestic oil and gas industry will not bring on the 'age of renewable energy' any faster.". (Insight on the News)
U.S. Congress approves landmark conservation bill Mar 26, 2009
"I can't think of a single bill that has ever done more to ensure the enjoyment of, and access to, wilderness areas (and) historic sites," said Democratic Senator Jeff Bingaman who chairs the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Opponents, most of them Republican, complained the legislation would deny access for oil and gas drilling and said House Democrats refused to consider changes. (Scientific American)
March 19 edition: Letters to the editor Mar 25, 2009
Historic preservation conserves energy and natural resources making it the greenest choice for builders. Preserving and recycling buildings can play a vital role in sustainability thus reducing Acton s carbon footprint. (Acton Beacon, MA)
New Mexicans tapped for federal posts Mar 24, 2009
Connor was the deputy director of the Department of Interior s Water Rights Office from 1993 to 2001, then became counsel to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, which Bingaman chairs. He also directs the committee s Water & Power subcommittee, which has oversight of the Bureau of Reclamation. (New Mexico Business Weekly, NM)
Ski accident won't slow Murkowski Mar 17, 2009
The accident was the first stumble in an otherwise meteoric rise for Murkowski, who in her first full term suddenly finds herself Alaska's senior senator and the ranking Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, a crucial role for her oil-producing state ... Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, also praised Murkowski, saying she is more interested in passing legislation than making headlines. (Juneau Empire)
Alaska's Murkowski a new Senate 'powerhouse' Mar 16, 2009
Only in her first full term, Murkowski is Alaska's senior senator and the top Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, a crucial role for her oil-producing state. She serves on the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee and is the only woman among eight men on the Senate GOP's leadership team. (MSNBC -- Politics)
EXCLUSIVE: Infighting trips up energy plans Mar 12, 2009
The solution could come in energy legislation expected later this month from the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Jeff Bingaman, New Mexico Democrat, "never likes to see turf battles between agencies," his spokesman Bill Wicker said. (Insight on the News)
Murkowski moves into leadership role Mar 9, 2009
She secured the top Republican seat on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, gently elbowed her way onto the powerful Appropriations Committee and landed a spot on Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's Republican leadership team. Hard work, lucky political timing and deft-but-understated maneuvering have paid off handsomely for the 51-year-old Murkowski, the only woman now in the Senate's top Republican leadership ranks. (Anchorage Daily News)
SRS might keep nuclear waste Mar 7, 2009
Dr. Chu told members of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee this week that new strategies could be developed for nuclear waste, and that a 27-year, $13. 5 billion effort to establish the Yucca Mountain project should be abandoned. (The Augusta Chronicle)
U.S. energy secretary pledges to fight global warming Mar 6, 2009
"Such legislation will provide the framework for transforming our energy system to make our economy less carbon-intensive, and less dependent on foreign oil," Chu said at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing. The Obama administration wants to cap carbon emissions from U.S. power plants, oil refineries and other industrial sites, then auction permits to exceed those limits. (Scientific American)
Yucca nuclear waste site at dead end Mar 6, 2009
"What's wrong with Yucca Mountain, Mr. Chu," McCain asked at an Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on support for scientific research. "I think we can do a better job," replied the Nobel Prize-wining physicist. (MSNBC -- Environment)
Is a National Clean Energy Smart Grid Convergence on the Horizon? Mar 4, 2009
It is expected that draft energy legislation will soon be emerging from the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee chaired by Senator Jeff Bingaman. Sen. (Energy Pulse, CO)
Fineman: Obama tax plan could hurt the heartland Mar 4, 2009
One concerned Democrat is of Indiana, who sits on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Virtually all of his state's power is coal-generated, and he has voiced concerns about the Obama proposal. (MSNBC -- Politics)
Placement of power grid is debated Feb 24, 2009
Senator Jeff Bingaman, Democrat of New Mexico, who chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee that will craft energy legislation, said that while he has not seen Reid's proposal he agreed the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission should have more authority for planning and siting high-voltage power lines. Bingaman said he hopes to have a bill in four to six weeks that will address the grid issue and establish a requirement for utilities nationwide to generate a certain percentage of... (Boston Globe)
Locating lines to transmit energy vexes officials Feb 24, 2009
Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., who chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee that will craft energy legislation, said that while he has not seen Reid's proposal, he agreed the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission should have more authority for planning and locating high-voltage power lines. Bingaman said he hopes to have a bill in four to six weeks that will address the grid issue and establish a requirement for utilities nationwide to generate a certain percentage of electricity - as... (ABC 7 News, DC)
Owens Corning to Participate in 'National Clean Energy Project: Building the New Economy' Forum Feb 21, 2009
The highly select group of participants include former U.S. President Bill Clinton, former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change Carol Browner, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chair Jeff Bingaman, oil executive T. Boone Pickens and environmentalist Robert Kennedy, Jr.. These and other energy and environmental thought... (PR Newswire)
Senators call for Tubman park hearing Feb 12, 2009
In a letter written to the Senate chairman of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Gillibrand and Schumer, along with Maryland Sens. Benjamin Cardin and Barbara Mikulski, said Harriet Tubman was a true American patriot who earned the nation's respect and honor. (Auburn Citizen, NY)
