Congressman Young Appointed to Represent House on Energy Conference Committee

House Energy Package Expands Upon Senate-Passed Bill

WASHINGTON – (RealEstateRama) — House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) appointed Alaska Congressman Don Young to serve on a conference committee charged with producing final energy and natural resources legislation between the House and Senate. Young’s appointment comes following House-passage of its own version of the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2016, which includes H.R 8, the North American Energy and Security and Infrastructure Act, and numerous other House-passed bills relating to energy, natural resources and public lands. 

The legislation will be reconciled with the Senate version of the legislation, S. 2012, sponsored by Senator Lisa Murkowski.

“In the 10 years since we last considered an energy package of this magnitude, we’ve seen a massive transformation in our nation’s energy sector,” said Congressman Don Young. “Through a patchwork of bills and reforms, we’ve attempted to close the gap between 21^st century innovations and our nation’s outdated and over burdensome energy policies. However, we’ve seen little progress in the face of this administration’s many attempt to lock away our lands and limit responsible resource development. Yesterday’s House-passed energy legislation includes a number of long sought provisions and reforms aimed at ensuring access to critical resources and public lands, streamlining energy development, and eliminating red tape facing our nation’s sportsmen. As a former House Natural Resources Chairman and sponsor of numerous provisions within this bill, I look forward to serving on the conference committee and producing a bill that benefits both Alaska and the nation. I commend Senator Murkowski for her steadfast commitment to bring forward a comprehensive energy package in the Senate and I look forward to working with her as this process moves forward.”

The House-passed energy package includes numerous bills and provisions introduced by Alaska Congressman Don Young:

H.R. 538 – Native American Energy Act

The Native American Energy Act, introduced by Rep. Don Young (R-AK), passed the House on October 19, 2015. The bill addresses the federal government’s overregulation of Indian lands to promote energy development by Indian tribes and Alaska Native Corporations.

H.R. 2406 – The Sportsmen’s Heritage and Recreational Enhancement Act

The Sportsmen’s Heritage and Recreational Enhancement Act passed the House on February 26, 2016. The bill is a package of 20 provisions, three sponsored by Congressman Young, which will increase opportunities for hunters, anglers and recreational shooters. Young’s provisions include:

• Reversing Recent Rulemaking by Fish and Wildlife and National Park Services upon Federal Lands in Alaska

• The Polar Bear Conservation and Fairness Act

• The Africa Elephant Conservation and Legal Ivory Possession Act

In addition, 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;

• 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.

Click HERE to view a summary of the House Natural Resources Committee’s provisions included in the House Amendment to S. 2012.

Click HERE to view the full text of the House Amendment to S. 2012.