Transcripts For CSPAN3 Interior 20240704

Haaland and deputy interior secretary testified before the Senate Natural resources committee. The senators, most of whom are from western states, asked about increasing Domestic Oil Production in the biden administrations interior Budget Priorities for 2024. The administration is requesting 18. 9 billion from the department as an increase of 2 million from 2023. This morning, the committee will be discussing the president s proposed fiscal year 2024 budget for the department of interior and other items within his purview. Id like to welcome secretary holland, deputy secretary boudreau back to the committee as well as interior budget director, denise flanagan. I wanna thank you all for joining us this morning to set the scene. I think its important to note for contexts that the congress provide the department an additional 48. 1 billion in the last 19 months including 47. 3 billion and targeted investments to the bipartisan infrastructure law and Inflation Reduction Act and 779 million increase in annual appropriations last year. But now the administration is requesting another 18. 9 billion for fiscal year 24 for the department, a two billion or 12 increase over 2023 fiscal year appropriations. So i really look forward to hearing the justification for such a large increases on top of historic funding. I also look forward to a robust discussion in the state of our leasing programs. I firmly believe that we and our allies are going to need fossil fuels for the foreseeable future. And that robust and continued leasing by the department are a key part of that effort to maintain us leadership and Energy Security. Unfortunately, the administrations actions and the president s own statements indicate, oh, im so sorry, indicated a desire to tamp down on oil and gas leasing. In fact, just last week, the White House Press secretary clearly said the administration doesnt like the provisions in the ira that i dont have anything to do with clean energy. Ill repeat that again. He doesnt like anything in the ira and that he says does not have anything to do with clean energy. They all knew perfectly well. There was a balanced Energy Security bill. I assume shes referring to the mandated offshore oil and gas leases that i included as well as the requirement that oil and gas leasing take place before renewable leasing can. If thats the case, let me first state for the record that american oil and gas is certainly clean energy compared to what the administration is considering importing from venezuela and morally cleaner than lifting sanctions on iran. But i also have to assume shes referring to these fossil provisions because interior internal, interior documents from the alaska lease cell made clear that the administration has manipulated the law to discourage oil and gas interest. In fact, they said in black and white that they chose a higher royalty rate to discourage Energy Production at the expense of alaskan Energy Security. Simply unconscionable to me, especially as the administration is hypocritically happy to target producers for not producing more while pursuing a Regulatory Environment and efforts designed to kill the industry by 1000 cuts. The truth is that we can produce cleaner energy than anywhere in the world and that production can help bring down our own energy costs and support our friends and allies at the same time. And this also provides needed revenue for both federal and state governments. In fact, the most recent sell mandated by the y would not be setting, we would not be setting bidding records if there was no need for oil and gas well into the future. Ive been very vocal about how concerned i am that we are still waiting for the next five year offshore program of oil and gas lease sales. And the department has said that a final program is not expected. Now until december, weve never even had a gap between programs before. Never a gap, let alone the year and a half delay that were expecting. Now, in fact, we talked about this exact issue at this same hearing last year. The lack of progress with this program combined with a lack of advanced preparation for 2024 sales. Unfortunately, sends a signal that you have no intention of holding any offshore lease cells in 2024. After the final mandatory sale in september 2023 i know this administration has a big goal set for offshore wind and Onshore Renewables goals that are relying on continued oil and gas leasing. I dont know why we just cant Work Together. I dont know why we cant agree that we need a balanced approach. So let me remind you that those are unattainable. If you dont do your jobs, i will be watching extremely closely to ensure you faithfully execute the law as required, not only by the r a but also by the mineral leasing act to ensure that on and offshore oil and gas leasing continues in federal Renewable Development only occurs if those requirements are met. Getting back to the budget while we are being asked to fund new initiatives, we are still waiting on the interior to comply with requirements in existing law with Agency Leadership laminating the lack of staff and agencies missing statutory deadlines. You would think that the department would be putting its resources towards meeting existing statutory requirements and deadlines. For example, two different requirements of the bipartisan infrastructure are now six months overdue. One to improve permitting of Critical Minerals and the other to implement Carbon Sequestration on the outer continental shelf. Instead, the department is prioritizing new administration developed initiatives in my view, and failures to comply with Laws Congress has passed is not a question of funding. Its a question of misplaced priorities or perhaps a willingness to ignore certain requirements. Madam secretary i raised this issue with you at last years budget hearing. Then in december, we talked about it with mr boudreau in our committees infrastructure implementation hearing after additional deadlines have been missed. So im disappointed that here we are again today and having the same conversation again. And im eager to hear from you about how you justify this 12 increase when the department hasnt completed the task at hand, but for which funding was provided, i also look forward to talking about the departments role in permitting and changes needed to the permitting process. I think we can all agree that five years or more it often takes in major energy or mining projects to get a permit in this country is not acceptable. Although let me note that i was very happy to see approval of the project. After a long last, this pace is clearly too slow to achieve any of our goals, whether it be energy and supply chain security, reducing emissions or reinvesting in communities impacted by the energy transition. I look forward to hearing how the doi is deploying its existing resources and current tools to help tackle this issue while acknowledging that significant permitting reforms will have to come from congress. Secretary holland when it comes to these energy and mineral programs that are so crucial to our energy and National Security, i must say for the last few years, it has felt like we are repeating the same conversations and having the same talks over and over. Im tired and i know other members of this committee are tired of asking again and again. When will we see progress on the action required by law and being told soon . And we are working on it, we need and deserve better answers than that. Especially given the importance of so much of what the department of interior is responsible to do. So. Im hoping that we can have a productive discussion today and actually get some detailed answers. Im going to recognize senator brasso for his opening statement. Well, thanks so much, mr chairman secretary, welcome back to the committee in wyoming. About half of our land is owned by the federal government, about two thirds of the minerals under the land are owned by the federal government. The secretary of interior controls access to these lands and to the minerals. And as a result, the secretarys decisions deeply affect the people of wyoming. Im sad to say that secretary holland has failed the people of wyoming. Her assault on American Energy has contributed to soaring Energy Prices across the country. Her efforts to block access to large swaths of the west has led to lost Economic Opportunities and her decision often ignore the law of the land. The secretary should be following the law instead of holding Quarterly Oil and gas lease sales. The secretary has held only one lease sale in two years instead of approving oil and gas permits on a timely basis. The secretary has doubled the length of the permitting process. Instead of setting royalty rates at a level to boost oil and gas production. The secretary has raised rates to discourage production instead of doing everything in our power to increase americas Energy Security. The secretary is jeopardizing our Energy Security and at the same time, our National Security. The sad fact is that the secretarys policies undermine even president Bidens Energy goals. World demand for copper is expected to increase by 300 by the year 2040. Nickel demand expected to increase by 1900 . Cobalt demand expected to increase by 2100 . Much of this demand will be driven by President Bidens mandates and subsidies for electric vehicles for wind farms for solar panels. Yet earlier this year, the secretary withdrew over 225,000 acres of federal land from Copper Nickel and Cobalt Development in minnesota. This site contains 95 of our nations nickel reserves. 88 of our cobalt reserves, 34 of our nations copper reserves, minerals from these projects could help produce seven million electric vehicles. Yet the secretary of interior is blocking projects that would produce the very materials that are needed to support the administrations stated agenda. Lets be clear, President Bidens agenda is not a transition from dirty energy to clean energy. Its a transition from American Energy to foreign minerals. And secretary hollands policies will only expand our dependence on our adversaries will increase our dependence on china. And on russia, the secretary is also attacking multiple use of the land, multiple use is a decades old bedrock principle of federal Land Management. In march, the department of interior released a proposed rule to allow entities to lease federal lands for the purpose, not of use but of non use. In other words, the secretary wants to make non use a use. Shes calling up down day night black white turning federal law on its head, the secretary is giving radicals a new tool to shut out the public. Remember, environmental radicals dont want the public to have access to public lands, families and communities in wyoming and throughout the west depend on access to public lands for grazing, for forest management, for recreation. Secretary of interior is aggressively working to take that access away from the public. Finally, the secretary is seeking to cut funding the budget that has a lot more money for a lot of things, wants to cut funding to the bureau of reclamation for the third year in a row. The bureau is responsible for delivering water to the people of the west. In wyoming, water sustains everything that we do. Our ranchers and farmers produce food for all americans. They need to know that theyre going to have enough water to do their jobs. So in the midst of a historic drought now is not the time to cut the budget for the department and the bureau of reclamation, the people of wyoming and all americans deserve better. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Now we will turn to secretary holland for her opening statement. Chairman manchin, Ranking Member barrasso and members of the committee. Thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of interiors fiscal year 2024 budget request. I am pleased to return to this committee today, accompanied by our deputy secretary Tommy Boudreaux and the director of the departments budget office, denise flanagan. Our 2024 budget totals 18. 9 billion in current authority, an increase of 2 billion from the 2023 level. First, i want to highlight several important proposals. These include significant reforms to support the wildland fire workforce, mandatory funding for future water rights settlements, expanding Good Neighbor and stewardship contracting authorities to include fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park service. 6. 5 billion over 20 years from the department of state to fund economicistance under the compacts of Free Association. Let me begin with wildland fire. The 2024 budget honors President Bidens commitment to address this issue and to assist firefighters supporting an additional 370 federal and 55 tribal fire personnel complementing the pay reforms. We also include a 46. 4 million increase for fuels management activities. Above 2023 these investments are crucial as wildfires were notably higher in 2022 than the 10 year average. Our budgets investments for reclamation in combination with the bipartisan infrastructure law and the Inflation Reduction Act will ensure reliable water and power to the american west. The reclamation request is nearly 1. 45 billion which is an anticipated to be augmented by over 2. 4 billion in other funds. Priorities include water, smart funding and dam safety. These funds will ensure we stay as nimble as possible in the face of drought and a changing climate stewardship of our Natural Resources is a core mission for us. Interior manages about 20 of americas lands and is responsible for protection and recovery of more than 2300 endangered and threatened species. Our request covers 3. 2 billion in annual funding for conservation efforts that supports key initiatives such as Wildlife Corridors and youth corps partnerships. The request also includes 140 million for fish and Wildlife Service Partnership Programs that support voluntary conservation on public and private lands at the department. Science is our foundation. The usgs works with partners across the country to maintain 20,000 Groundwater Monitoring wells. 11 1008 100 11,800 stream gauges and 3800 quake sensors and directly monitor 70 volcanoes. The budget includes 128 million that supports nine Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers with university partners. We are also looking forward to the lancet next mission that will take advantage of new technologies for global imaging data. When it comes to energy, were excited to be on our way to achieve the administrations goals to deploy 30 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity by 2030. As of last month, bom has conducted 11 Wind Energy Lease sales for areas in the atlantic and pacific oceans. Thats more than 2. 5 million acres of commercial Wind Energy Lease areas. The budget for boms Renewable Energy Program Includes a 12 million increase for permitting onshore blm is also making progress to permit 25 gigawatts of Renewable Energy on public lands. By 2025 blm has permitted more than 126 Renewable Energy projects processed many more and is working to support much needed transmission lines to meet these needs. We include 72 million for blms Renewable Energy program at the end of 2020. Interior staffing was at a 10 year low of around 60,500. When fully enacted, the budget would support an increase of 4000 personnel to over 68,000. Staffing is not only important for public facing positions like National Parks and refuges, but also for handling the full range of permitting matters before the department and meeting our trust and treaty obligations to our countrys Indian Tribes regarding infrastructure. Our request includes more than 3 billion for operations and maintenance. In addition, there is 1. 6 billion in mandatory funding available each year through the 2025 through the Legacy Restoration fund. At the end of 2023 our l r program will have initiated 276 projects touching all 50 states, washington dc, puerto rico and the us virgin islands. Those projects will address 3. 4 billion of our deferred maintenance backlog, creating an average of 17,000 jobs each year. Let me close with a few words about our Indian Affairs budget request. This administration has made a steadfast commitment to strengthen government to government relationships with Indian Tribes. With the total request of 4. 7 billion for Indian Affairs programs. Investments will address the missing and murdered Indigenous Peoples. The legacy of federal indian boarding schools and native language revitalization. In response to concerns by tribal leaders for Public Safety in their communities. The budget includes an increase of nearly 86 million above 2023. We also request 1. 6 billion for Indian Education programs. Notably the 2024 request for b i E Construction will support seven school projects. Overall. The president s budget for interior invests in programs to strengthen our nation for all americans we look forward to doing this Work Together. Thank you. And were pleased to answer any questions. Ill start the questions and my first question would be to you. Uh i think last year we asked you to commit that the overdue five Year Leasing Program for offshore oil and gas will actually contain lease cells. We still dont have the program in place and we know that you dont plan to finalize the program until december of this year at the earliest, which is 18 months late. Additionally, the department has not started the Environmental Review process for the 2024 sales, which makes it very unlikely that youre going to do any leasing next year in 2024 because the ira ties wind leasing to oil and gas, failing to take an all of the above approach to our security puts the administration at risk of taking a none of the above approach. Theyll get nothing. Thats how important this is. So maybe you can explain to me the time and why its taking so long and why your intentions are so far behind from what we had asked for and what basically what the law was said. Thank you chairman for the question. And first, ill say that the reason the five year plan is behind is because the Previous Administration dropped the ball and stopped working on the plan. Our staff picked it up, they started working on it. We expect the final plan out in september. Of course, we understand fully were mindful of the provisions of the ira and we will follow the law with respect to leasing. And i want to say that we are moving this forward and we will be happy to keep you apprised of the process. My only comment on that would be, i think the Previous Administration still did leasing in a timely fashion from what we understand unless you have a different calculation of that or a different review, unless you didnt like what was done. I was talking in respect to the fiveyear plan. You asked why it was late. Ok. Permitting the department of interior is simply taking too long both for the Energy Security goals and our environmental goals. According to the council on Environmental Quality from 2010 to 2018 d o, is Environmental Impact statements average five years to get to a record decision. Five years. Furthermore, basic fish and Wildlife Service reviews that used to be completed within weeks are taking months while leaders from the bill and other agencies are blaming permitting delays on a lack of funding for staffing. The ira allocated 150 million to interior, specifically dedicated to permitting. On top of the 500 million in conservation and resilient funding split between the National Park service and the bureau of Land Management. The departments agency also are able to access the iras 350 million of transferable funding from the federal permitting improvement steering committee. Have you all spent all that money . I mean, is it all gone and youre deficient now . And thats why youre not able to do it on time. Thank you for the question. And of course, we understand that permitting does take a long time. You cant just open a can and spill out a permit. It takes a lot of research and work by the career staff and theyre dedicated, you know, that we have approved many, many permits since the beginning of this Administration Since january 2021 there with respect to oil drilling permits, the applications to drill were moved forward. Theres nearly 7000 currently unused. Do you, do you all support as an agency . The permitting reforms that youre hearing both sides of the aisle, democrats, republicans both saying that we need and have you all been able to give us some ideas or some support on how we can expedite this . I recognize that thats, thats a continuous issue and i cant speak to whether the administration supports or doesnt support. However, we will continue to do our jobs and move all of those permits forward. And we have done a tremendous amount of work. As i mentioned, there are nearly 7000 permits currently that are unused. Excuse me, are there any codes that we could clear up or try to change or be helpful towards the permitting process and expediting it. But no matter what side of the fence, you may be on an all in Energy Policy means we have to do everything. And for that, renewables are having the same challenges as the fossil and what were needing is a way forward if we are going to do anything. Senator . The mineral leasing act requires the department to have quarterly lease sales in each state with federal oil and gas resources. Thats one lease sale every three months in each state with the resources. So, in the nine quarters since President Biden took office, the department has held a grand total of one lease sale in each of these states. A single lease sale in over two years. Now, im glad to see the department has now announced plans to hold lease sales in the 2nd and 3rd quarters of this year. My question is, will you commit to resuming oil and gas lease sales each and every quarter Going Forward as required by law . Thank you very much for the question, senator and of course, we follow the law and everything we do. We have had lease sales. Well continue to have lease sales. I know that President Biden believes in Energy Independence and we were working toward that goal. Well, let me just point out you just said we follow the law but you havent followed the law under oath during your confirmation hearings. You sat here and you said i will absolutely follow the law. But yet for nine quarters since President Biden took office, the department has held only one lease sale. So i dont know how you consider that following the law. So the question again is, will you commit to resuming oil and gas lease sales each and every quarter Going Forward, as required by law . Yes or no . We will always follow the law. Yes or no, please, will you commit sitting here to resuming oil and gas lease sales each and every quarter Going Forward as a hired by law . In 2022 we had lease sales in wyoming, colorado, montana, the dakotas, nevada and new mexico. One lease sale when the required law required that you had nine quarters worth of leases. So you havent been following law. Yes or no Going Forward . We are planning 12 onshore lease sales that are in the planning process for 2023. And were currently planning multiple sales in wyoming, beginning in june, montana and north dakota also beginning in june with additional sales in september and december, utah nevada and new mexico with we know what all the public land states are. Thats a good list. The question is Going Forward next year. Will you commit to following the law each and every quarter as required by law . Well, you havent been doing it so far. Let me move on, mr chairman. Last month, the bureau of Land Management proposed a fundamental change in american Land Management policy, this illegal proposal and it is illegal and it doesnt follow the law would make non use of lands a competing use. Your proposal would give radical environmentalists a new tool to block activities that are guaranteed in the law such as grazing, recreation and mineral development. Please explain why you think putting large swaths of federal lands off limits upholds the multiple use mandate in the law . Thank you very much for the question and the public lands rule is actually a proposed draft rule currently in Public Comment period that would essentially put conservation on equal footing with our multi use mandate. It would not foreclose other uses of our public lands such as grazing or mining or Energy Development. Well, the so called public lands rule that you refer to is nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to eliminate Economic Activities on federal lands in wyoming and across the west. And i would strongly urge you to withdraw this disastrous and illegal proposal. Next, earlier this year, you blocked access to federal minerals in an area that contains 88 of our known cobalt reserves. Cobalt is a critical mineral necessary for electric vehicle batteries. Do you know where most of the worlds cobalt is mined today . I ibeg your pardon. You know where i beg your pardon. The democratic republic of congo. So does the congo or United States have better Environmental Standards . The United States has better environmental and worker standards. So does the congo or the u. S. Have better protection against child labor . With respect to the issue you are talking about, i assume it is the boundary water watershed and that was put to us as a copper mine, not a cobalt mine. Wire you blocking access to our nations cobalt resources . You cant possibly be willing to ignore whats taking place in the congo. Its been all over the news for years. Here are a couple of headlines in terms of the mine that you that you blocked National Public radio. How modern day slavery in the congo powers the Rechargeable Battery economy. The independent here is a better not here. It is better. They said not to be born cobalt mining for big tech is driving child labor and deaths in the congo. The guardian like slave labor and master dc miners toil for 30 pence an hour in fuel electric cars at the New York Times newsweek. Go after any of them again. Why are you blocking access to our nations cobalt resources . Because thats what youve done. Senator near senator, copper is not a critical mineral in this country. This is straightforward, it cannot get Critical Minerals without mining. Mining in america is better for the economy, the environment, the people of the world. You need to stop blocking access to our nations resources. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Thank you, senator. You mentioned the progress thats been made in offshore wind leasing. Um when do you expect the First Utility scale offshore wind projects to actually be permitted . Thank you for the question, senator. If you can just give me one minute. I can tell you that the transition to clean energy is a priority for this administration. Its a priority for us. Were working on all fronts to move all of those forward. If its anything in particular. Of course, were happy to stay in touch with you, but we plan on meeting the administrations goal to deploy 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030. So to, to meet so to, to meet the 2030 guideline will require a number of projects to actually make it through the permit pipeline. Are you on track to do that . Our staff will get back to you. I think there are a lot of steps in between leasing in permitting. I am concerned that the progress and the economics of changed in a way that put a lot of those projects potentially at risk. I would love an update on the specifics of making it through the permitting process with respect to those leases. Thanks to the stop act which was signed in december, it is finally illegal for people to export tribal religious items for sale in foreign markets. And as you know, all two, all these items that have been illegal to sell in the us for decades. Uh but frankly, until december sellers could take them out of the country, put them in auction houses overseas, tell us about what the department is doing to implement the stop act. Thank you for the question and thank you, senator for your um for your hard work on this important issue. So, um right now were focused on the tribal consultation process and the rule making mandated by the statute. We have five consultation sessions starting in may through august to hear from tribes. And as a result, we should have a detailed plan regarding office and regulations by the end of the year. Thank you. As you work to implement the Great American outdoors act, i am concerned about the bottlenecks that threaten some of the conservation gains that we all expect from Permanent Land and Water Conservation fund funding. And specifically in last years spending bill, congress directed the department of interior to evaluate a wide variety of potential improvements to the appraisal process, including returning appraisal functions to individual bureaus. Can you tell me about the progress youve made to improve the process . Thank you so much. Appreciate the question. Yes, there are difficult roadblocks that were tackling. We stood up the doi wide working group that reports to the doi leadership. Were identifying root causes and changes with near term results. Were also building capacity. Weve done some innovative recruiting and using increased pay Rate Authority to help, you know, get a team together. Weve increased the number of appraisers. There are 105 on board. Its the highest since the appraisal and Valuation Services was created. And of course, theres a focus on Customer Service to make sure that were meeting people where they are. Have you looked at returning some of those have you looked at returning those functions to individual bureaus . I could not answer that at the moment, senator. But we are moving forward and it is under review. Have you submitted the report on this topic that was due in march . I beg your pardon . Sorry, we are continually briefing the committee. Thank you. We have whole team here that does these things. We are happy to stay in touch with you. That is different than we ask for a written report on this progress or on this process. Has that been submitted . I cannot give you a date at the moment but we are happy to follow up with your office. You expect to submit that . Yes. Ok, thank you. Now we have senator bishop. Secretary, thank you for coming. The federal government owns two out of every three acres in idaho so it is interesting to meet with a person who has more control over our land then iowans do. I want to focus on one thing only, the wind turbine project. Have you heard of it . You have heard of it because the congressman twice this year have raised it with you in hearings, is that right . Yes, i believe so. They told me you did not know anything about it and that you would look into it, is that fair . Yes, i suppose. Ok, what if you found out . Thank you senator. You dont need to thank me, just answer the question. Well thank you for the question. 11 has been engaged with state and local counties and federal agencies early on in the process. Coordinated with the Idaho Resources Advisory Council and the lava ridge subcommittee. Blm has coordinated with dois collaborative action to engage stakeholders with ties to the historical site. Thats great. What did you find out with all of this coordination and discussion . We are going to continue to engage. Know, what did you find out . I think that the conversations are ongoing. What did you find out so far . Nothing . Conversations are ongoing. What did you find out so far . I do not have a complete readout. Give me an incomplete readout. What did you find out so far . They are gaining insight into how the Community Feels and what they have to say. What if he found out . Im happy to update you. Let me help you out and try to get you some information. Do you know how many acres are involved . Do you know how many acres are involved . 146,000 acres. You consider that a fairly significant piece of real estate . I think it is a large acreage. It is. Theyre talking about 378 turbines, the smallest ones slightly bigger than the statue of liberty. The largest turbines are have you ever been to seattle . Yes. Have you seen the space needle . I do not think ive seen the space needle. The needle, whatever its called, the big tall building. I have not. The largest will be 100 feet taller then this structure in seattle. The right now, i know the administration is interested in Renewable Energy and i think everyone in congress is also. This will turn out about 1000 megawatts of power. Idaho puts out 75 of its energy generated using renewable power. It is a combination of a number of things. Falling water, nuclear and other things. It is stunning to us that you would think of 144,000 acres, let me tell you why. In the next 24 or 36 months, we will be turning on three small modular reactors. 36 acres, 36 acres. It will put out the same as this 146,000 acres. I know you love the land, everybody does. Take a look at this picture of a rendering of what the landscape will look like. Could you hand that to her for me . And i want you to look at this closely. Look at the horizon where you can see these structures. And tell me if that is your vision of what public lands should look like . That is a view from the historical site. Do you know what that is . I have not been there. Do you know what it is . Its a historical site. Well, let me tell you what it is historical four. It was one of the detention sites during world war ii for japanese people, which we have a significant population in idaho. This land means a lot to them. This is what it looks like. Look at the horizon and tell me, is that your vision for what public land should look like . Senator, did you say this is a rendering . It is. Did they superimpose those on . Exactly. You can stand at the historical site and look to the horizon and see what our public lands will look like on this 146,000 acres. Is that your vision for what public lands should look like . Theres a lot of visions for public lands. No, no, no, no, no. Dont give me that. Is that your vision . Senator, we have millions of acres of public land all over the country and they all look different. Do you like that . Senator, i understand what you are saying and i want you to know that we care deeply about we listen to people. We get their input. Im glad you are listening because let me tell you who you should be listening to. First of all, you have a resource advisory council, a committee, do you not . Yes. You know what they said about this . Do you know what they said unanimously about this . Please tell me. Dont do it. We have a legislature, republicans and democrats, they passed a resolution in the house and the senate unanimously, bipartisan. You know what they said . Dont do it . You got it. Thats what they said. There is a resolution by the seven idaho counties, all seven had a unanimous resolution. Do you know what they said . Dont do it. There has been letters signed unanimously by the friends of the Japanese Community inside and outside of idaho and you know what they said . Do not do it. You received a letter from myself, the governor, the rest of our delegation and we have said the same thing, do not do it. So let me close with this, do not do it. Thank you, senator. Appreciate it. Senator . Thank you you, mr. Chairman. Senator van hollen, i want to thank you for the Financial Support to save hawaiis remaining native forests. Im hopeful that the partnership with federal, state and nonprofits would have been a key action to prevent the extinction of these culturally and ecologically significant birds. In the last few months there have been many hearings in the legislature relating to the efforts to save our endangered birds and disengagement of local youth and native hawaiians in particular has been very important, very moving. These are young people who are passionate about their desire to say save these remaining native birds. So as we look to fiscal year 2024 can you talk about the departments plans and the resources needed to continue supporting these efforts . Thank you, senator. Of course we recognize the importance of hawaiian birds to the ecology and what they bring to the forest and the culture of the hawaiian islands. The funding has been critical for this effort to prevent the extinction of birds imperiled by avian malaria and so, you know, further support of the work we are doing will allow us to move forward with the multi Agency Strategy to address this disease. And coordination among federal agencies and with the native community, the state of hawaii and other partners is critical to finish the job. Thank you. What im hearing is you will have to pay continued attention and provide support for saving endangered birds . I am working with my colleagues to ensure that Free Association for the islands and the states of micronesia are in place before Financial Support is to expire at the end of the fiscal year. I know that your testimony mentioned the importance of the Financial Support. I would like to point out that we also need to restore in the compacts the ability of citizens living in our country, throughout our state, not just hawaii but in arkansas in arkansas and other states throughout our country that we need to restore access to federal benefits for these. I would like to have that restoration language put into the compact, so this is not just funding. But also to provide to any of the citizens in our country the kind of support that they should be entitled to. I would like to work with you making sure that the language is included in the compact, which by the way is critical to national defense. Dod is well affair of how important they are to our National Security. This is a situation in which there are three agencies involved. Interior. Its our company that improves the compacts. Then we have dod, the beneficiary, not to mention our country beneficiary of National Security provided under these compacts and the state department. That is why administrative agencies need to come together to restore the eligibility for the social Services Programs that are so important. Id like to be able to work with you to talk with you about how we can go forward. I also wanted to thank you for your commitment to engaging with indigenous communities, including native hawaiian communities and in particular the announcement from the Departments Office of native hawaiian relations that another one million will be available for native organizations through the hawaiian opportunities im sorry, heritage opportunities in hawaii grant program. This is designed to enhance tourism with vibrant aspects of the native community in a sustainable way. I know that you know how important tourism is to hawaiis economy, but i know that many tourists in hawaii very much appreciate their ability to experience the native hawaiian culture. So while we need to work to enhance our support for tourism, this has to be done through a lot of sensitivity to the interests of the native Hawaiian Community and our environment. I would ask you to continue to make sure that those aspects are very much paid attention to as we go forward. Thank you. Senator daines . Thank you. Grizzly bears have exceeded recovery targets in the yellowstone ecosystem and northern Continental Divide ecosystems. Numbers well over the objectives set by the u. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. They are ranging farther off the Rocky Mountains into Central Montana where they have not in seen for over a century. It is past time to celebrate this recovery, delisted the bears and return the management back to the states. Fish and Wildlife Service scientists have twice found that the greater yellowstone ecosystem bears have recovered and delisted them, but courts have prevented delisting from going into effect. Secretary, im confident that the career scientists will find yet for a third time in just the past 17 years that the greater yellowstone bears have recovered. When that happens, will you support legislation to codify the fish and Wildlife Services delisting to prevent legal uncertainty . Thank you for the question. As he said, the courts require us to look at the population as a whole. Even though they have recovered, if not true for every area. The question was the greater yellowstone ecosystem. Good news that the grizzly bears are recovering in some areas. Recovering. Have the grizzly bears exceeded the target in the greater yellowstone ecosystem population . Senator, yes, as i mentioned, the grizzly bears are recovering in some areas and in other areas they are not creative it requires us to look at the bear population. Youre not answering my question. The specific question is the greater yellowstone ecosystem. And you said they have recovered. So given that we agree that they have recovered will you support legislation to codify the delisting to prevent this legal uncertainty . We will follow the science and the laws. Director williams and our staff take this role very seriously. Also, the endangered species act has been a lifesaver for many species. We will follow the science and the law with respect to grizzly bears. Im glad we agree that the grizzlies have recovered in the greater yellowstone ecosystem. Additionally, would you commit to keeping the fish and Wildlife Service to that 12 month review timeline . I will be happy to update you on any reviews. My question was well they commit to 12 months, will they commit to working together to get that done . I know they work very hard. Will you commit to the 12 month timeline laid out by the statute . Senator, we work very hard. Thats not an answer. Would you commit to Work Together to meet the 12 month statutory timeline . We will do our best. That is not an answer, but thank you. On march 30 first the bureau of Land Management published a text for rules that alter the agencys management of public lands and the federal Land Management policy act. Ive got concerns with that rule. It would hurt montana by a threatening multiple uses such as ranching, mining and recreation, parts of our way of life. Conservation is vital. This hinders conservation by rushing with illconceived and opaque plans. My question is this . Grazing on federal lands provides billions of dollars each year. Wildlife habitat, recreation opportunities, clean air, clean water, things that can be quantified. Im concerned that you feel the need to separate multiple uses from conservation value. Does Grazing Conservation benefits . I beg your pardon. The public land, the proposed rule would not foreclose other uses such as grazing. Do you think the grazing has a conservation benefit . Senator, i want you to know that the public lands rule you are so concerned about will not foreclose other uses. It puts conservation on equal footing with the multi use mandate that we have. In closing, secretary, i know your team is working with the belknap tribe to finalize language and their settlement. This is been a battle in montana for many years. Im glad to see we are making progress. I would urge you to wrap up discussions so that im going to introduce that bill and finally get that settlement signed into law. And q. Thank you. Ive a question to introduce into the record. Concerning the turbines items in comparison. Without objection, now we have senator cortez masto . Its good to see you. Thank you for being here and members of the nevada designation on the monument. It was great to see you and your team. This is a very important to local tribes. Likewise, one of my priorities as a member has been to engage with tribal nations to address their needs. But also to advance their priorities and protection of places of cultural and historic importance. Last week i sent you a letter along with my fellow senator jacky rosen in support of the lobby or swamp cedars national monument. For years, areas this area for our drives tribes is significant where nearly 1000 of their ancestors were killed during the massacre that occurred. It is home to the ecologically Significant Growth of juniper tree is. I support creating this monument but i will note that there are existing land use conflicts that will require engagement with all of the impacted stakeholders including those with interest in Renewable Energy development, transmission, grazing, water rights and others. My question, madam secretary, will you support this and work with me and my constituents in determining how to preserve and commemorate this sacred place . Thank you senator for your support of nevada. Yes, we are going to give this close attention. Thank you for the letter and we will learn more as time goes on. As you know, the best conservation is Community Led conservation. We are going to have those conversations to make sure that we pay close attention. I appreciate that and thank you. We will not agree on everything. Over 80 is owned by the federal government, we have to Work Together. I think there is an opportunity to Work Together, but im going to challenge you when i disagree with the blm. But we can do so without being condescending. I also think that for the purposes that youre dealing with right now, it must be challenging. I would say you have whiplash because i hear from republicans about the importance of the Clean Energy Economy but they did not support the legislation in the first place. I appreciate what youre trying to do. I will hold you accountable where i see that you should be. One of those areas where senator daines just talked about which is the conservation lease rule and grazing. Theres a lot of grazing in nevada. The proposed rule includes three management changes. The Grazing Community and my state has expressed concern that it could be a way to limit grazing. They arent upset that they were not consulted prior to the rules release. So my question to you is the blm recently released a proposed rule for conservation to be on the same footing. You talked about this but how would you be working with the community to preserve their ability to use the land when you have not sought their input . It is a proposed and addressed rule under Public Comment. We expect everyone to comment if they would like to. It is not a final rule by any means and as i mentioned earlier, it would not foreclose other uses of the mandate for public lands and grazing is one of those. I will be watching and holding you accountable to that because it is in important issue in my state, across the west as you have heard and we have to make sure it cattle ranchers and ranchers and farmers, their voices are heard. And that their businesses will not be limited in any way whatsoever. If i could say, of course the work that they do is contingent on a healthy ecosystem. They need healthy grass to grow if they want to move businesses forward and we recognize that as well. Thank you because i know of the ranchers and farmers in my state, they are environmentalists for the reason you said, they know land better because they live off the land and have for generations, so thank you. One other area is in the past, the interior department has wasted time and resources on oil and gas pieces that generate little return for american taxpayers. I know the department has issued guidance on how blm plans to implement reforms to the oil and gas leasing systems from the ira, some of which are expected to cut down on wasteful leasing practices. Yet, as the Current System still stands, 90 of the federal lands and minerals that blm manages across the west are open to oil and gas leasing and yet a vast majority of those lands have little to no potential for oil and gas development. This conversation that i constantly have with blm, theyre wasting their time on some of these claims that theres oil and gas when we know theres not when the resources could be put somewhere else. So as doi moves forward, how do you plan to address the availability of land with low Development Potential for leasing . Sec. Haaland thank you for the question. And of course, this is an important issue. Were implementing the provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act like fee on expressions of interest. So if you charge people for an interest, an expression of their interest, theyre going to think twice about, you know, having it all. So we feel that that will help to reduce the speculative leasing that is happening. Sen. Cortezmasto thank you. Thank you, senator. Senator hoven. Sen. Hoeven thank you, mr. Chairman. Id like to pick up on a question that senator cortez masto just asked you. She asked, you know, why spend time on land blm land with federal lands that have low potential for leasing for Energy Development. So im going to ask you the other side of that, the converse, why are you blocking development on land that has high potential for Energy Development . Right now, youve issued a draft Resource Management plan that affects my state of north dakota. It will block 45 of the, of the potential federal oil and gas acreage and 95 of the federal coal acreage. She asked the question, why would you waste your time on lands that will not be leased for energy . But why are you blocking the development on lands that can produce energy at a time when gasoline prices are higher and we need more electricity and more baseload dependability for our grid . And you are blocking the federal leases that we need to produce energy. Why is that . Sec. Haaland senator, i would say that there is a process that we go through when we think about the leases that we have the lease sales that we have to have. It isnt so much blocking as it issing what lands are available and which lands should be up for lease. Sen. Hoeven but you are not putting them up for lease. You not only are blocking development, youve raised royalty rates and as a result, Energy Prices are higher. Why wouldnt you allow our Energy Producers to produce more energy here at home to bring prices down at the pump to reduce prices for hardworking consumers across america . Sec. Haaland senator, Oil Production is at an alltime high on federal public lands here in our country. Theres a lot that goes into determining the price of gas. If it were just supply, then prices would be low right now because were doing our jobs and that is the truth. Theres more oil thats being produced currently than there ever has been in our country. Sen. Hoeven no, no, no. What you like to refer to is because new mexico had a lot of leases that were leased out prior to your administration and they are now being developed. Theres a spike in new mexico and federal development but states like mine, my state is down half a Million Barrels. Weve gone from 1. 5 Million Barrels a day. Were down about a Million Barrels a day. And overall the production in the United States is down under this administration, not up. So i know you want to do that selectively to try to make your case, but it does not work. Prices are higher. We had a secretary with us and she agreed with me that more supply helps bring prices down. Prices are higher. Do you think more supply brings prices down or not . Sec. Haaland senator in 2022 Oil Production on federal lands in north dakota was higher than in 2020. Sen. Hoeven but our total production is down half a Million Barrels because were blocked from producing more on the federal lands which you are now blocking us from doing. And remember theres a lag between when you lease, when you get the drilling permit and when you get the production. By your logic, by raising royalty rates and blocking production, which again, you add more regulations to keep blocking this. You are saying that produces more supply. Thats your argument . By blocking production on federal lands and increasing royalty rates, your argument is that is producing more energy . Sec. Haaland senator, there is a process, of course. Sen. Hoeven if you would just answer my question. Sec. Haaland Oil Production is up. Oil production on federal lands is at an alltime high. Sen. Hoeven when you provide a lease, the very same day the production starts. Is that your argument . Sec. Haaland no. Sen. Hoeven there is a whole process here and you are utilizing that to make an argument. Back to my question. Your policies too restrictive element, the chairman is opening questioning the chairmans opening question to you is when are you going to allow production offshore . By blocking production and raising royalty rates, which is your policy, you feel that produces more supply and lower energy . And actually, this time, if you would please answer the question, would you rather get that energy here at home where we have the best of our mental standards, or would you rather continue blocking it here at home and get it from places like venezuela and other adversaries like opec . Sec. Haaland as i mentioned earlier, there are nearly 7000 permits across the country that are not being used. Companies have nearly 400 approved permits to drill on federal lands and indian land in north dakota that they havent used. There are 226 approved permits on federal land and 166 approved permits on indian land in north dakota. Sen. Hoeven many of which are blocked by your regulation or the courts where they have to litigate. You dont get a lease and produce it the next day. When you agree with that . Sec. Haaland of course. That is why when the applications for permits to drill come into the department, our staff works very hard to move those forward. And they have done that since january 2021. They have moved those applications forward. And thats the reason why theres nearly 7000 unused permits and our country. Sen. Hoeven then why are Energy Prices higher than higher at the pump . Sec. Haaland i think there is a lot that goes into the cost of gasoline. Sen. Hoeven the consumer still pulls up to the pump and pays a lot more. Sec. Haaland i understand. I have raised my child as a single mom. I know what its like to not have enough money to either pay your rent or pay your Student Loans or buy groceries. I get that and thats why we are working hard at the department to move our goals forward to move these issues forward. There are 226 approved permits on federal land in north dakota. Sen. Hoeven one final question. A Federal District judge has now ordered the you continue lease sales on a quarterly basis. Are you going to do it . Hes ordered you to continue the quarterly lease actions that you are holding up. Will you comply with the court order . Sec. Haaland we will comply with the law with the best of our ability. Thank you. Madam secretary, first, i want to complement the guy who is sitting to your right, beaudrea, through the implementation of the Great American outdoors act to celebrate the building of a maintenance shed at acadia National Park, which was desperately needed, a maintenance building. Much more than a shed. The point being that maintenance is important. And one thing that worries me about the National Park budget, as you know, we passed the Great American outdoors act and it was an incredible accomplishment to buy down the deferred maintenance in the National Park system. My concern is that although the budget seems to be moving slowly in the right direction, were still way under where we should be in terms of maintenance funding. The rule of thumb in industry is you should be setting aside for maintenance 2 to 4 of your asset value. I think the National Park service is at 1 , may be. I commend you for future budget consideration. We cant pass a Great American outdoors act every four or five years. We cant keep digging the maintenance hole deeper. I hope you will join me in being committed to that. Rather than hoping to bail them out every so often. Sec. Haaland yes, of course. Having a handle on the backlog is certainly important to us. Its critically important, in fact. Im happy tommy was there. He actually stayed a little bit longer than he anticipated because of the plane situation. The deferred maintenance backlog for last year was approximately 30 billion. That is a decrease of 778 million from the year before. We know it is significant but we are working on it. Sen. King well, my suggestion is stop digging the hole by adequately funding maintenance on an ongoing basis. Thats important. The second issue and i think the chairman may have touched on this, permitting reform. We are not going to achieve our Clean Energy Goals without permanent reform. The Inflation Reduction Act cannot be implemented as long as environmentally sound projects are being in an endless cycle of permitting. I hope that the administration will join us as many of us are working on permitting reform, not to lower the Environmental Standards, but to develop practical realistic processes to accelerate the process, deadlines, meaningful deadlines shorten and having one agency in charge. Are you committed, or will you join us in an effort to achieve environmentally sound permitting reform, in order to achieve longterm environmental goals . Sec. Haaland absolutely, senator. Thank you. We are really working to do things in the right way and of course, comply with our obligations at the same time. And we do that by making sure that folks are at the table from the beginning so that we dont have to go back and correct something. Sen. King thats been my experience. If people are at the table early and you can resolve these issues, then the process can continue in some kind of rational time. Were in a race with Climate Change and we cant afford 10 or 15 years to permit a transmission line or a pump storage project or other environmental projects. What worries me is that were viewing permitting over here in a kind of traditional way without being cognizant of the fact that in order to get where we want to get environmentally, we have to build things and thats not the mindset thats been historically. So i hope you will work with us on this. Think its critically important to get to a clean energy future. One quick question, the rise act which talked about the allocation of offshore revenues passed out of this Committee Last year. And i hope the department can support that bill as reported by the committee. I know you had reservations as it was originally introduced, but i want to inquire about the position of the administration on the bill as reported. Sec. Haaland senator, thank you so much for the question. Of course, we understand that this is an important issue for coastal states and we certainly do want to support coastal states. I know the support of it requires more conversations with the administration. Were willing to have those conversations and look forward to working with you and the committee. Sen. King i want to point out that were not only talking about oil and gas. Were now talking about offshore wind, which could be a Significant Resource for the coastal states. I will look forward to working with you on that. I would specifically, if you can take this for the record, for the administrations position on the rise act as reported last year, i believe its something you can and should support. But i would like to have that on the record. And we have senator murkowski. Sen. Murkowski thank you, mr. Chairman. Madam secretary, welcome back. Youre not gonna be surprised with, with the focus of my questions all alaska all the time. Lets start with king cove. I do appreciate the engagement that your team had, going out there, having the conversations. Recognizing that there has been some time that has elapsed now on these discussions and your previous commitment directly to me and to deborah dare two deputy secretary boudreaus commitment that you will work to help the people of king cove achieve a Land Exchange as well as lifesaving road. Can you give me any update on when you expect a supplemental eis by the department on this . Sec. Haaland thank you, senator. The notice of intent for the draft supplemental Environmental Impact statement be published very soon. I know that doesnt give you a specific date, but they are working on it and i believe its in draft form at the moment. Ok. Sen. Murkowski ok. I think we have all recognized the schedule that we have discussed is a very aggressive and so the priority in advancing one. And meeting these benchmarks, timeline benchmarks, is extraordinarily important. And so i would just ask again that there be an imperative on, on moving as quickly uh efficiently, but also thoroughly. Sec. Haaland yes. Sen. Murkowski let me turn then to another request for information on deadlines. And this relates to the ambler access project a couple of months ago, i asked the blm state director for a concrete timeline to complete the additional analysis that was requested in that voluntary remand. Do you have a timeline for me that you can provide this morning . Sec. Haaland senator, what i can say is that the next court filing is expected later this month and any update will be invited to you, then were happy to keep you informed. Sen. Murkowski would you anticipate that blm should have a rod signed by the end of this year as has been promised previously in this committee . Sec. Haaland yes, that continues to be yes, the rod by the end of 2023. That continues to be the plan. Sen. Murkowski ok, thats the plan. We would come again, like to hear your commitment that you will remain firm with this commitment. Again, i think most people would acknowledge that a timeline to study and permit a gravel road project in alaska doesnt need to extend past seven years. And that is where we have been on this project. Another issue that is of course very, very familiar to you is the blmbia conveyance and are alaska native veteran allotments issue. We had a chance to speak at this in interior appropriations. But i continue to remain concerned that the agencies dont have the capacity to meet the task. Getting these allotment applications completed before the Program Expires at the end of december 2025. I want to make sure that they have got the resources that they need. We got 4. 9 million in interior last year. Im glad that the budget request continues that. But given the resources that you now have, whats the timeline for ensuring that all these applicants will have their applications processed within the deadline that we established under the dingle act senator . Sec. Haaland senator, thank you very much for the question. And you know this is a priority for us. We appreciate your support on the 5 million so that blm can continue its work. We are making progress. And i have to believe that as we move forward, the, like the first few, they took a long time. But we should get a process down and it will move more quickly. The department of Veterans Affairs is helping us to locate veterans that we have not yet had a chance to locate because of their Contact Information which is not correct. Currently, there are they are in process, 266 applications have been received. There are 95 in the survey process currently. We have issued eight certificates already and were working with Veterans Affairs to get the Contact Information for 371 eligible veterans where veterans. Sen. Murkowski there is some 2900 veterans that we are focused on. I think you recognize that the number that is out there versus the number that have actually received their full allotments. It just does not measure up. As we all know, our veterans are aging and passing. Making sure that again, there is an imperative to this. My voice is calm, but you know, you know, and i hope you feel it in your heart that this is one where we have failed our veterans. And its not just this administration that has made multiple promises, its other administrations before and we have failed our veterans in being able to keep this commitment to them. And so every day is important, every dollar that we send this direction to get these agencies moving on this is important. So i keep asking it, we keep pressing it as a delegation. We keep hearing commitments, but we need to get these veterans they are due. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Thank you. And we have senator hickenlooper. Sen. Hickenlooper just in the nick of time. Thank you, mr. Chair. Verily. Sen. Hickenlooper thank you for being here and thank you for all of your work. As you know too well, the Colorado River basin is experiencing what some people call a 23 year drought. I think some of the sedimentary records from the grand canyon demonstrate that weve seen less rain, less precipitation accumulation in the last 22 years then we have seen in almost 1200 years. It is more than just a drought. We appreciate the attention that your entire team has given. Even with the great snow pack weve had this year, i think we still cant take our foot off the pedal. We need to tackle this headon. And try to make sure we adjust this imbalance between supply and demand. Your department recently released a draft document overviewing options on how to manage the water shortages through 2026. I want to commend camille tutton and her entire team in reclamation. They have been remarkable and have been everywhere all over the southwest. Deputy secretary boudreau, framing these options as bookends. Which is excellent, to set the stage for the dialogue between the basin states. There we can get to a seven state solution is critical. How are those discussions going . I realize you have a million Different Things going on at once. I think within a broad bread broadbrush, we will have you bring you uptodate. Sec. Haaland thank you very much. We are committed to pursuing a collaborative and consensusbased approach. That has been our process. If it is ok with you, because deputy reset deputy secretary boudreau has worked on this issue, i have charged him with it, if it is ok he answers the question, i would be happy for him to. Sen. Hickenlooper absolutely. Sec. Beaudreau thank you, secretary holland. You put it exactly right. The it has a number of purposes, including providing contacts and and because for those negotiations. Which im encouraged by. The talks continue. I am flying out to phoenix tomorrow to continue those discussions with the lower basin commissioners. A lot of work to do. These are difficult issues, as everyone knows. But im optimistic that we can get to consensus. Sen. Hickenlooper im delighted to see you being able to keep everyone at the table, and everyone with a positive attitude. I think that is key. Ive got two questions. Hard to pick which one i will go with because i have wasted too much of my time. Let me go to our iconic landscapes in the west, well, across this nation. But certainly in colorado, we draw in recreation nists recreationists from across our state, nation, the world. Your department plays a Critical Role in this. We obviously want to promote access to colorados beautiful lands. We also want to ensure that those Access Points are properly staffed and maintained. We know the National Park service has faced serious staffing challenges in recent years. And for the staff you have, finding housing is often a real challenge. Are you doing to ensure you have the workforce in place to properly manage these vital lands . Sec. Haaland thank you for recognizing that, senator. As you know, since covid, the visitors on our National Parks and public lands has exponentially increased. Yes, having the proper staff is important. We are working on that. Of course, that is the importance of our budget, to hire more staff across the department and certainly in our National Parks. We also, lets see, the budget includes 117. 8 million across multiple initiatives to support more than 600 additional fulltime equivalent, including more than 400 to build park capacity for Natural Resource stewardship, address new and critical responsibilities at parks, and support the u. S. Park Police Operations which is incredibly important to all of our National Parks. We have a plan. Sen. Hickenlooper i appreciate the able support on short notice. That is what i call great staffing. I have a couple more questions, which i will submit to the record. And you can answer in the future. Thank you very much. Sec. Haaland thank you. Thank you very much, mr. Chairman. Thanks to the witnesses for being here. Sec. Holland, if i can start with you. I want to ask about this memo from the bureau of Ocean Energy Management that leaked a few weeks ago that suggests that your department, im looking at the memo now, it suggests your department has been prioritizing a Climate Change agenda over Energy Security in this country. I just want to get to the bottom of this and see if this is true. The memo concerns lease sale 258 in alaska, the cook inlet project. I want to quote from the memo, if the cook inlet prospect would be developed, there would be additional government revenues and greater Energy Security for the state of alaska. The memo goes on, nevertheless, it is quite a transition, nevertheless, because of the challenges facing the nation from Climate Change, blm is not of bom is not recommending this option, and what the memo says is that the government ought to charge 18. 75 in royalties, the maximum take allowed under the law instead of a lower rate that would lead to more development. Did you agree with this analysis . Sec. Haaland thank you for the question. Of course, rates are such that because their public lands belong to every american, that americans should get a fair return on the land that is used for this purpose. Sen. Hawley but did you agree with charging the highest possible rate in order to discourage bids on the project, because of Climate Change . Sec. Haaland the royalty rates, i mean, that is not a surprise, that royalty rate is evident in other parts of the country. And i will say that with respect to our Principal Deputy assistant secretary, that is her department, that is her bureau. And i honestly she takes care of that. She took care of that issue. Sen. Hawley but you are the secretary. Presumably you understand whats going on in your department. This is an extraordinary memo, and i want to make sure i understand what your position is. The memo says that a lower rate, the 16. 67 rate to be precise would have offered greater Energy Security. Thats a quote from the memo. I have it. Anybody can read this. That would have offered greater Energy Security. But your department recommended a significantly higher rate that you thought would likely lead perhaps to not developing, not moving forward with the project for the purpose of Climate Change. He didnt want this to go forward. You didnt want alaska to have greater Energy Security because you said Climate Change, im just try to understand. Do you agree with that analysis . You did and post the higher rate. In fact, the lease sale 258 earned one bit. It looks like the strategy worked. I want to know, do you agree with that, that we should trade off Energy Security for this country in favor sec. Haaland wl you is the royalty rate was the most reasonable value and was consistent with the ira requirements. We are in the middle of a terrible Climate Crisis and it is our job to balance those things. To create a balance on our public lands. Sen. Hawley that sounds like i guess to me. So charging more and turning off Energy Security in favor of the Climate Change agenda is the right tradeoff. Sec. Haaland senator, this royalty rate was consistent with the ira requirements. Sen. Hawley it is consistent in the sense that you cannot charge much more than that. You selected the highest possible tax in order to discourage development and you succeeded in it. Kudos to the person who wrote the memo because they are very honest. They say we can have Energy Security or the Climate Change agenda. Energy security needs to be sacrificed, let us go with Climate Change. I think that is a disastrous tradeoff. One senator said i am appalled by the contents of this memo which made Crystal Clear this administration is polluted the Climate Change in the head of the people of alaska and the United States. That was the chairman. Well said, mr. Chairman. This decision to sacrifice our Energy Dependence in favor of an agenda that is making us dependent on china, opec, and every dictator around the world is a disastrous choice for the working people of this country. Thank you. Thank you for this hearing. Madam secretary, great to see you. Thank you for coming to the Pacific Northwest and visiting mount rainier. We really appreciate you visiting the northwest. I am glad that we have someone at the department of interior who believes in stewardship. It is about leaving the place better for the next generation. We asked how much was Climate Change costing the United States government and it is in the billions of dollars. So i am glad we are doing something about it. I wanted to ask you about your work in the budget about native american women who are experiencing violence and going missing. This week is the National Week of action for missing and murdered indigenous women. This friday is the national day of awareness. In my state, an organization did the report that showed how many women really are affected in the United States over this. This was several years ago and it helped us move forward. Our attorney general has identified at least 113 unsolved cases in my state. Of indigenous dictums. In the Seattle Indian health board who issued that report on 71 urban cities found that seattle and tacoma have some of the highest cases of missing and murdered native missing women and girls in the country. I know we started to make change to address this crisis, but we need to do more. You helped create an initiative, which i appreciate, and a task force, but we need to make sure the resources are there. Some of these communities are immense without much resource. One tribe told me they only up to Law Enforcement officers they only have two Law Enforcement officers. I want to make sure these cool cases do not go unanswered. I want to make sure that we are putting the resources together. What tribal members better served if we were able to have better resources devoted to missing and murdered Indigenous People in these cold cases . Sec. Haaland senator, thank you so much for your work on this and for violating a. Highlighting it. We have investigated 681 missing and murdered persons cases. We have 32 of 63 positions filled in the missing and murdered units across the country. And so that is a good start and we would love to continue staffing on that and make sure they have the resources they need to solve these cases. What about a unit in the state of washington . Sec. Haaland yes, and we understand that area has some of the highest missing rates. In small communities, you can imagine a dozen people went missing at one time. We are so happy to work with you on this and we will take a look at what we have in the Pacific Northwest. You raise an important issue and we are happy to continue to work with you. I think we need more resources. Sec. Haaland absolutely. We have 32 of 63 positions now filled. They are planning to hire a supervisory agent in Washington State summa to add to the agent already on the ground. Thank you. I think that was the answer i was looking for because clearly we do not have enough resources. We know there is a lot of trafficking of women. Vast amounts of land can lead to lots of different issues so we need more resources, we need everybody working together, so thank you. Senator kelly. Sen. Kelly thank you. I wanted to take a moment to discuss the Budget Priorities and how they relate to the Colorado River. Snowpack in the Colorado River basin is about 154 above average. That does not mean this drought is over. It is the worst drought in over 1000 years. One a good year of snowmelt is not going to reverse 20 years of prolonged drought. It has left our lakes at historically low levels. This is a longterm problem. This is why congress has provided resources to the department in the bipartisan infrastructure law and in they Inflation Reduction Act. Can you provide an update on how the bipartisan infrastructure law and the Inflation Reduction Act dollars are being spent and how much is left of that money, how much is left to address drought across the west, both through infrastructure and efficiency upgrades through conservation . Sec. Haaland thank you very much for the question. Of 8. 3 billion of funding, reclamation has allocated about 1. 8 billion to projects across the west for Water Conservation and recycling, storage. This includes last month announcements of an additional 140 million to fund more projects. We are also working quickly to use the 4 billion in funding provided within the Inflation Reduction Act, 150 million for the Indian Community and in the lower basin, we committed 250 million to the salton sea. So there is about 6. 5 billion left in the bipartisan infrastructure law to still be spent. Is that correct . Sec. Haaland that sounds about right. Simple kelly this issue is not going away. Sec. Haaland we recognize that. Thank you. One action we took is to boost funding for water smart grants by 400 million. That is 10 times what we normally do on an annual appropriation for that specific program. These grants help farmers increase the efficiency of the irrigation systems. I want to think the administration for proposing these grants. It is the highest proposed increase since 2017. Unfortunately, these grants do not always make it to the communities who need them the most. For example, farmers have benefited very little from the water smart program. Last january they lost their entire Colorado River allocation , all the water they got from the river died. Now by some estimates, this affects half of the firm lane. Farmland. I would like you to look into the Actions Congress can take to increase accessibility for the county specifically. Can you give me a commitment to work on this . Dep. Sec. Beaudreau absolutely. We work at all the different programs and funding streams we have to meet Community Needs as well as get conservation deployed and some of those tools do not match up with the needs of communities. You have our commitment to figure out how to get water smart resources into the communities that need them. Sen. Kelly the economy was hit hard and early, so thank you. I have just a couple of questions. For the record, do you agree that under the ir rate the department cannot move forward with offshore wind without basically holding offshore oil and gas lease sales do you understand . Sec. Haaland yes, of course we are going to comply with the diary as written. We understand it is tied to oil and gas development. We will do what it requires. Sen. Manchin they are set to expire in september 30 of this year. We have my shoreline wins Marshall Islands. Marshall islands has not been signed. We are probably going to proceed on the other two. Sec. Haaland yes, chairman. I know you were briefed last week and we are happy with the work you are doing on this. Sen. Manchin we are understanding there has been 7. 1 billion over the next 20 years. Every 20 years whereafter ratified that. That was the deal that was made. Marshall islands, we thought we had an agreement. For the postal service, 630 4 million. I think this is imperative we get this done as quickly as possible but we should not be held hostage on the Marshall Islands if they are playing for another angle. With 50,000 inhabitants, they are getting 2. 2 billion. Can you keep us posted with that on where you are and what needs to be done. If you wanted to, just briefly say why you think this is so important. I think all of us understand the strategic and geographical challenges that we are having in indo pacific. That seems to be our greatest desire to get this accomplished. Sec. Haaland absolutely, chairman. We have a really experienced team that has been working on this. Ambassador yoon and assistant secretary can tour with the investor in that area prior to coming to the department of the interior. She knows people on the ground there. I trust them to do the best job possible. I think they are moving forward in a good way. Sen. Manchin let me just finish up real quick. You could feel our frustration. It seems like we are fighting it every day of this administration truly happened a desire [indiscernible] the leasing that needs to be done that puts things in action, we tied back to the ira. You cannot do offshore wind, you cannot do onshore wind or solar unless we are stricking the resources the good lord has given us. I would encourage you to do everything you can to accelerate, do it on the timely fashion the leasing you are supposed to do. We are just trying to find a balance. You are not going to able to get what you want with renewables by delaying the leasing of our fossil. We just do not understand why we are having back challenge right now. I would encourage you to work to get this on time so we can get things moving. We are going to be a gear and a half late now. A year and a half late now. Following up with what you were talking about come i want to talk about permits. Two weeks ago, you testified that your department is quote committed to moving the applications for permits to drill to move them forward asked as expeditiously as possible. And you said we have done that since i have been in this position. That was your testimony. According to the bureau of Land Managements official data, the time it takes to get an oil and gas permit has actually doubled under your leadership. In 2020, the average time was 130 days. 2022, it jumped to 271 days. Why are you slow walking permits and intentionally Misleading Congress and the public when you are caught . Sec. Haaland thank you for the question. Of course, i see this graph in front of me and there are a lot of factors that go into an application for a permit to drill. I do not process personally those applications. There are a dedicated Public Servants who do that number depends on how many applications there are at a time. Oftentimes, the career staff will contact the applicants who get to get information and they do not respond in a timely manner. There is any number of issues that happen because each permit is separate and apart from another one. They look at each application separately. They process them separately. They have told me that oftentimes, they asked for further information from the applicant, they do not get it in a timely manner. Your budget has been increased and i do not think many people believe it is the companies who need these permits that are slow walking the information to you. Dep. Sec. Beaudreau we cannot get around the fact that litigation plays a role. That is why we are committed to a thorough and rigorous process as we go through leasing and permitting. If you want to throw something off the rails, litigation is the way to do it. Let me go back to the secretary. Last month, i sent the letter to you about a lawsuit that has been filed against an oil and gas permit in my home state. I have a copy of the letter that i sent to you. The lawsuit targets leases and permits that were issued under your authority. Will you commit to fully defending your own departments decisions to issued these leases and permits in court . Sec. Haaland thank you very much for the question. The lawyers look at these lawsuits. I am happy to get with the Solicitors Department to figure out where these are. I cannot tell you where they are at the moment. I would expect you Went Department to fully defend the lawsuits. In terms of cold leasing, left ear court reimpose the departments moratorium going back to 216 2016. Last week, your department announced it has started the Environmental Review. Do you have any intention of resume lease and federal lands . Cold leasing on federal lands . Sec. Haaland that is a process that is i am going and we are committed to going and where committed to working with folks in this industry and i believe that moratorium does not apply to cold. Coal. The purpose of the mineral lease and act is to promote mining of coal. Do believe it is consistent, the moratorium with the federal law . Sec. Haaland senator, i understand your concern and i am happy to look at this issue. Mr. Chairman come i will submit this to the record. I was talking about rare earth minerals. We talked about cobalt extensively. If you had mentioned you looked at on mine and it had to do more with copper. It was underground copper and nickel and cobalt, all of which i mentioned is Critical Metals needed for electric vehicles. And for which right now we are very dependent dependent on international sources. I want to come back to this tradeoff between Energy Security and the radical Climate Change agenda which you have endorsed. On the subject of the sweeping mandates related to electric vehicles, the metals needed to make the lithiumion batteries are of course lithium, graphite and cobalt. Who is the largest producer of refined lithium in the world . It is china. Do you know what nation is the largest exporter of graphite . It is china. In all of these instances, your decision to tradeoff our Energy Security in favor of a radical climate agenda is making us more dependent on china. At the same time, you are denying mining in this country that would allow us to develop nickel and copper and cobalt. Why . Why block the development of these resources in our own nation in favor of making us dependent on china . Sec. Haaland are you referring to the Boundary Waters . I am referring to the twin metals mined in minnesota. Sec. Haaland yes, near the Boundary Waters, which is an kind of place and a very valuable ecological system to many plants, animals, species. Let me just say this though. Jobs for bluecollar workers are valuable resources. The livelihood of American Families are valuable resources. The ability for america to not be dependent on china is a valuable resource. Why should those things be sacrificed in favor of your agenda for radical Climate Change . Sec. Haaland senator, i know there is one point nine jobs for every american in the country right now. Wait a minute. You are telling me we have too many jobs in the country . Sec. Haaland i am saying we do not have enough people. That is why we are having a hard time finding people to work at our department. Have you seen the number of jobs we have lost to this country to china . Over 3 million jobs have gone to china. They have come out of midwestern towns like the ones i represent. They are bluecollar workers. And you are telling me we have too many jobs in this country. Are you serious . Sec. Haaland senator, we are working hard every single day. We have processed 20 permits since january of 2021. We are moving forward. We are doing our jobs. You are moving backward, you are denying permits for mines in this country where we can develop our own resources. You are approving taxes and royalties that suppress American Energy development in favor of a Climate Change agenda. And now you are telling me we have too many jobs in this country. I want to take the strongest possible exception to that comment and to that entire mentality. When it comes to bluecollar workers in this country, you are on your own, good luck. Just shut up and go get a job at mcdonalds. Quick quit complaining. What an extraordinary response. Sec. Haaland may i Say Something . Absolutely. Sec. Haaland thank you. We have created a number of jobs. We have an orphan gas program, where we kept wells and abandoned mine reclamation projects that has lifted whole communities up in reclaiming their mine lands that have devastated their communities. These folks have been out of jobs for years. Because of the bipartisan infrastructure law, they found new ways to engage. And not only have jobs, but have a vision for what they want their communities to look like. We have put orphan gas wells in peoples backyards in pennsylvania and we are doing so in california and texas. These are communities that rely on this government to find a way forward for them. There is unfortunately, there is a legacy of pollution in this country. Those are good paying jobs with benefits that americans are having because a President Biden and his policies and we are proud to move those programs forward for the american people. My time has expired. I will say again, trading off american Energy Security in favor of your radical Climate Change agenda, shutting down good paying american jobs and then saying we have plenty of jobs in this country, i think is the most potentially unbelievable statement ive heard from this administration. Sen. Manchin i want to thank all of you for being here. Members will have until tomorrow to submit questions for the record. The committee is adjourned