Legislative Hearing | Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee

The House Committee on Natural Resources GOP Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee held a legislative hearing on May 21, 2025, to discuss several bills related to energy production, mineral resource management, and hazard program reauthorizations. Key procurement-related discussions included HR 931 to allow continued mining at the Bull Mountains coal mine in Montana amid environmental review delays, HR 2556 (the CORE Act) to modernize offshore resource assessments using advanced technologies, and HR 513 to limit presidential authority on offshore oil and gas withdrawals and restore access to withdrawn offshore areas. Witnesses from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and industry representatives testified on the importance of stable leasing environments, the need for updated resource assessments, and the economic impacts of permitting delays. The hearing also covered bipartisan reauthorizations of USGS hazard programs for landslides, earthquakes, and volcano monitoring, emphasizing their role in public safety and disaster preparedness. Several members raised concerns about environmental risks, agency staffing cuts, and the balance between energy development and conservation. No formal votes were recorded during the hearing, but the discussion highlighted legislative efforts to advance energy production and hazard mitigation while addressing regulatory and community concerns.