Leg Hrg on the following bills: • H.R. 513 (Rep. Higgins), “Offshore Lands Authorities Act of 2025” • H.R. 931 (Rep. Downing), To allow certain Federal minerals to be mined consistent with the Bull Mountains Mining Plan Modification, and for other purposes. • H.R. 2250 (Rep. DelBene), “National Landslide Preparedness Act Reauthorization Act of 2025” • H.R. 2556 (Rep. Hunt), “Comprehensive Offshore Resource Evaluation Act of 2025” or the “CORE Act of 2025” • H.R. 3168 (Rep. Valadao), “National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2025” • H.R. 3176 (Rep. Begich), To amend the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act to reauthorize the National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System.

Energy and Mineral Resources

2025-05-20

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Source: Congress.gov

Summary

This meeting of the Subcommittee on Energy and Minerals Resources convened to discuss several pieces of legislation, primarily focusing on offshore energy development, a specific coal mine expansion, and the reauthorization of vital United States Geological Survey (USGS) hazard programs[ 00:31:56 ]

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. The bills addressed aim to impact energy security, economic growth, environmental protection, and community safety across the nation[ 00:33:18 ]

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Themes

Offshore Energy Policy and Development

Discussion centered on H.R. 513, the Offshore Lands Authorities Act, and H.R. 2556, the CORE Act, both designed to promote offshore oil and gas development. Proponents argued these bills are crucial for national energy and strategic security, fostering economic growth, creating jobs, and increasing state revenue from resource assessments. Representative Hunt highlighted a significant decrease in reported undiscovered oil equivalent in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) under the Biden administration, questioning the accuracy of these numbers and suggesting political influence aimed at harming the energy industry. Dr. Cruikshank clarified that changes in estimates reflect discoveries and disappointing exploration results rather than political manipulation, emphasizing the dynamic nature of resource assessment. Mr. Keefe underscored the importance of stability and certainty in leasing to attract investment and ensure the long-term viability of the industry and related jobs[ 01:10:49 ]

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Opponents, led by Ranking Member Ansari and Mr. Pallone, countered that there is no energy emergency, and unfettered fossil fuel development is unnecessary, citing the U.S. as the largest oil and gas producer globally. They expressed concerns about environmental damage from oil spills, the impact of seismic testing on marine life, and the industry's focus on profits over public interest. Mr. Helton, a former NOAA official, warned that expanding offshore drilling, especially in remote areas like Alaska, multiplies risks of spills that are difficult to contain, particularly with recent agency staff and budget cuts. Military readiness was also cited as a concern, with potential drilling interfering with critical training areas.

Bull Mountains Mine Expansion

H.R. 931, introduced by Representative Downing, seeks to allow mining of federal coal resources consistent with the Bull Mountains Mining Plan modification in Montana. Mr. Phipps, CEO of Signal Peak Energy, detailed how bureaucratic delays and continuous litigation, despite multiple environmental assessments, threaten the mine's operation and over 250 jobs by year-end. He stated the bill offers a "narrowly tailored solution" to allow continued mining while the federal review process, including an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), is completed. The mine contributes significantly to local economies through taxes, royalties, and community programs[ 01:01:33 ]

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Ranking Member Ansari, however, raised past issues of the company, citing a New York Times exposé detailing executive misconduct, including embezzlement, bribery, faked kidnapping, and threats against workers for reporting injuries. She noted the company was fined $1 million and received probation for environmental and safety violations, questioning the company's integrity and the rationale for expanding its operations[ 02:14:19 ]

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. Phipps stated these events occurred before his tenure and that the company now complies with laws.

USGS Hazard Programs Reauthorization

Three bills (H.R. 2250, H.R. 3168, H.R. 3176) were discussed for reauthorizing key USGS hazard programs: the National Landslide Hazard Reduction Program (NLHRP), the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP), the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP), and the National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System (NVIEWS). There was broad bipartisan support for these reauthorizations, with speakers emphasizing their critical role in saving lives, protecting communities, and mitigating economic damage from natural disasters.

Representative DelBene highlighted the Oso landslide in Washington State, which killed 43 people, as a stark reminder of the need for programs like NLHRP and 3DEP to identify risks and improve preparedness. Representative Valadao spoke about the hundreds of earthquakes California faces annually and the importance of NEHRP in providing early warning systems like ShakeAlert and supporting research for earthquake damage mitigation. Representative Begich stressed the necessity of NVIEWS for Alaska, home to over 50 active volcanoes, to monitor activity and provide early warnings crucial for aviation safety and infrastructure protection. Dr. West, the state seismologist for Alaska, affirmed the success of these programs, noting NEHRP's National Seismic Hazard Map informs billions in infrastructure design and that early warning systems are vital[ 01:59:24 ]

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. Concerns were raised by Ms. Rivas about recent federal staff reductions potentially undermining the effectiveness of these essential safety programs, particularly regarding communication in multiple languages for emergency alerts[ 02:25:10 ]

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Tone of the Meeting

The meeting reflected a divided but largely respectful tone. While there was strong bipartisan consensus and cooperation on the reauthorization of the USGS hazard programs, discussions on offshore energy development and the coal mine bill were sharply partisan. Republican members emphasized energy independence and economic benefits, often criticizing the Biden administration's policies[ 00:33:18 ]

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. Democratic members expressed environmental concerns and questioned the motivations and past conduct of energy companies. A notable moment of widespread respect was the recognition and commendation of Dr. Walter Cruikshank for his four decades of public service at the Department of the Interior, as this was likely his final testimony before retirement. The overall atmosphere was formal, with members adhering to established protocols and showing deference to one another despite deep disagreements on policy matters[ 00:32:04 ]

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Participants

Transcript

The Subcommittee on Energy and Minerals Resources will come to order.  Without objection, the chair is authorized to declare a recess of the subcommittee at any time.  Under Committee Rules 4F, any oral opening statements at hearings are limited to the chairman and the ranking minority member.  I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from New Jersey, Mr. Pallone, be allowed to participate in today's hearing.  The gentlewoman from Washington, Ms.  Delbean, be allowed to participate in today's hearing.   The gentleman from California, Mr. Valadao, be allowed to participate in today's hearing.  The gentleman from Louisiana, Mr. Higgins, be allowed to participate in today's hearing.  And the gentleman from Montana, Mr. Downing, be allowed to participate in today's hearing.  Without objection?  So ordered.  I now recognize myself for an opening statement.  Thank you all for being here today to discuss these important pieces of legislation, the bills we have before us today,   address a range of topics, including the Biden administration's lackluster energy policies that continue to harm our nation's energy security, as well as the United States Geological Survey's hazardous emissions area.  H.R.  931, introduced by Representative Downing, would allow certain federal coal resources to be mined consistent with the Bull Mountains Mining Plan modification.  Currently,   The leased coal reserves in this mine are set to run out by the end of this year unless congressional action is taken.  The Biden administration blatantly violated the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, by failing to promptly start the environmental review process required under the law.  Whether they did so purposefully no longer matters as Congress must act to right this wrong and prevent an economic situation in the surrounding rural communities.   We also have three pieces of legislation to authorize three different hazards programs at the USGS.  The bills include H.R.  2250 from Representative Dalbin, H.R.  3168 from Representative Valadao, and H.R.
3176 from Representative Begich.  These bills would authorize important programs that help save lives and protect our communities, including the National Landslide Hazard Reduction Program, or NHLHRP,   The 3D Elevation Program, or 3DEP, the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, or NEHRP, and the National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System, NVIEWS.  NILHRP and 3DEP play vital roles in mitigating the effects of natural hazards caused by landslides.  NEHRP established the ShakeAlert application, which provides earthquake early warnings to Americans living and working on the west coast of the United States.   Enviews monitors and warns communities near and around volcanoes when volcanic activity is imminent.  Representative Higgins, HR 513 limits the ability of the federal government to lock up offshore oil and gas development, which is crucial, critical rather, not only for our energy security, but also our strategic national security.  This bill addresses a similar issue to what my constituents have experienced.  I cannot express my disappointment   in the Biden administration's decision to withdraw over 225,000 acres in my home state of Minnesota, restricting access to the Duluth complex, which is the largest untapped copper nickel find in the world.   Similarly, in the waning days of his administration, President Biden announced a withdrawal of over 625 million acres on the outer continental shelf.  The Biden administration's offshore energy lockups, along with their onshore mineral withdrawals, have cost Americans thousands of good paying, often union jobs that are economic drivers in our respective local communities.  These misguided actions threaten our long term energy security.   and only serve to placate radical environmentalists who wish to divert energy and mining production overseas.
H.R.  513 nullifies eight expansive withdrawals from the Arctic to the Gulf, unlocking roughly 40 million barrels of oil and over 175 trillion cubic feet of gas in these areas, according to BOEM.  Additionally, the bill would cap future withdrawals at 150,000 acres, limit withdrawals to 20 years,   and mandate economic and resource assessments be completed before a withdrawal may take place.  The last piece is especially important because when Secretary Haaland banned 225,000 acres of mining in the Duluth complex in the Superior National Forest in northeastern Minnesota, in a Senate hearing when asked, her comments were, quote,   I did not think there were critical minerals in there.  Ladies and gentlemen, it's the biggest untapped copper nickel find in the world.  And she signed off to ban, did not even know what was in that complex.  By requiring economic and resource assessment prior to withdrawal, future secretaries and future administrations will know exactly what kind of minerals and energy resources they are locking up.   and exactly how their lockups will hurt the American people and our economy.   Lastly, Representative Hunt's bill, HR 2556, or the CORE Act, would enhance offshore resource assessments with precise resource mapping.  By strengthening the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management assessments, the CORE Act reduces uncertainty, bolsters U.S.

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