hearing

Congressional hearing

Bernhardt confirmed as Secretary of the Interior

Capitol at night

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved acting Interior Department Secretary David Bernhardt’s nomination for the permanent secretary position by a 14-6 vote on April 4. Despite receiving strong bipartisan support from the committee, Bernhardt’s confirmation remains encircled in a series of ethics allegations regarding his involvement with lobbying for Westland Water District after filing a legal notice that stated he was no longer a lobbyist. Bernhardt was confirmed as interior secretary by the full Senate on April 11 by a vote of 56-41.

Senate subcommittee field hearing addresses effects of PFAS chemicals in Michigan

Atlean Lake in British Columbia

Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), ranking member of the Federal Spending Oversight and Emergency Management Subcommittee, convened a field hearing titled “Local, State and Federal Response to PFAS Contamination in Michigan” in his home state on November 13. The hearing focused on the emerging health and environmental impacts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

House energy subcommittee holds oversight hearing to discuss permitting for offshore seismic surveys

Atlantic waves

On January 19, the House Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an oversight hearing to identify and examine regulatory obstacles to offshore geological and geophysical resource surveying on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The hearing was held in response to a December 2017 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report detailing the permitting process for seismic research and identifies instances of inefficiency and inconsistency in meeting federal internal control standards. Congress is seeking compromises within the regulatory framework that would allow the U.S. to understand our offshore resource potential and ensure national energy security, while also minimizing the negative effects of anthropogenic noise in the marine environment.

House oversight hearing looks at DOI burdens to onshore energy production

Drilling rig

On January 18, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an oversight hearing to assess the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) progress on eliminating burdens to domestic onshore energy production. During the hearing, witnesses commented on the regulatory uncertainties, inefficiencies, and inconsistencies that may disproportionately impact small businesses. BLM’s Deputy Director for Programs and Policy Brian Steed affirmed that recent actions to reduce regulatory burdens have created more revenue for the agency.

House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Space hearing on the President's FY 2016 budget for NASA

Earth

Witness 

General Charles Bolden

Administrator, NASA

 

Members in attendance 

Steven Palazzo (R-MS), Space Subcommittee Chair

Donna Edwards (D-MD), Space Subcommittee Ranking Member

Lamar Smith (R-TX), Committee Chair

Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Committee Ranking Member

Brian Babin (R-TX)

Don Beyer (D-VA)

Mo Brooks (R-AL)

Bill Johnson (R-OH)

Frank Lucas (R-OK)

Steve Knight (R-CA)

Ed Perlmutter (D-CO)

Bill Posey (R-FL)

Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA)

Marc Veasey (D-TX)

Examining the President's fiscal year 2016 budget request for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

IES Astronomy Glyph
Witness (with link to opening statement)
Administrator of NASA
 
Members
Ted Cruz (R-TX), Subcommittee Chairman
Gary Peters (D-MI), Subcommittee Ranking Member
Bill Nelson (D-FL), Committee Ranking Member
Cory Gardner (R-CO)
Roy Blunt (R-MO)
 

United States Arctic opportunities hearing

Icebergs in Greeland
Witnesses
Admiral Robert Papp
U.S. Department of State Special Representative for the Arctic
The Honorable Lesil McGuire
Alaska State Legislature Representative
The Honorable Bob Herron
Alaska State Legislature Representative
The Honorable Charlotte Brower
Mayor of North Slope Borough
Dr. Cecilia Bitz
University of Washington College of the Environment, School Atmospheric Sciences Professor
Mr. Patrick R. Arnold

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