WASHINGTON, D.C. – April 21, 2016 – (RealEstateRama) — Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after the Senate successfully passed S. 2012, the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015, legislation which included two bills Congressman Gosar introduced in the House; H.R.1107, the Bureau of Reclamation Transparency Act and H.R. 2663, the Public Land Renewable Energy Development Act:
“I applaud Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dean Heller and John Barrasso as well as my other bicameral, bipartisan colleagues for all their efforts in passing commonsense legislation through the Senate today that will strengthen our nation’s energy security. Many of the challenges facing hard-working Arizonans and job creators stem from outdated bureaucratic hurdles that need reform. The Bureau of Reclamation Transparency Act ensures that Reclamation disclose cost estimates and prioritize major repairs for BOR facilities. Congress needs this information in order to address the agency’s maintenance backlog and ensure an abundant supply of clean water and power for future generations.
“The Public Land Renewable Energy Development Act modernizes the outdated federal permitting process that continues to kill jobs and stifle energy security. Renewable energy is an integral part of our all-of-the-above energy strategy and our nation’s public lands should play a critical role in facilitating development. These bipartisan reforms are simply good governance which taxpayers deserve and should be signed into law without delay.”
Background:
The Bureau of Reclamation Transparency Act requires BOR to do a thorough inventory of its assets as well as prioritize major repairs necessary at the agency’s facilities. In October 2015, the House Natural Resources Committee successfully passed H.R. 1107, the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) by unanimous consent. More information can be found HERE. Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduced the Senate companion of this legislation.
The Public Lands Renewable Energy Development Act of 2015 streamlines the permitting process for wind, solar and geothermal development on public lands and establishes a revenue sharing mechanism that ensures a fair return for relevant stakeholders. More information can be found HERE. Senators Dean Heller (R-NV), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Jim Risch (R-ID), and Jon Tester (D-MT) introduced the Senate companion of this bill.
The full text of H.R.1107 and H.R. 2663 can be found HERE and HERE. Both of these bills were included in the final text of the Energy Policy Modernization Act.
S. 2012 was introduced by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and includes several comprehensive provisions and amendments relating to energy security, efficiency and management. More information can be found HERE.
Congressman Gosar supports several other provisions and bills that were also included in S.2012. There are also a few that he would like to see reformed or left out of the final package.
Contact: Steven D. Smith
Steven.Smith (at) mail.house (dot) gov
