The United States Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources is a standing committee of the United States Senate. It has jurisdiction over matters related to energy and mineral resources, including nuclear development; irrigation and reclamation, territorial possessions of the United States, trust lands appertaining to America's indigenous peoples, and the conservation, use, and disposition of federal lands. Its roots go back to the Committee on Interior and Insulars Affairs. In 1977, it became the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and most matters regarding Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians were removed from its jurisdiction and transferred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
The Committee on Public Lands was created in 1816 during the 14th Congress chaired by senator Jeremiah Morrow. In its early years, it managed the settlement of the recently purchased Missouri Territory. Over time, the committee oversaw the western expansion of the United States, including the Texas annexation, the Oregon Treaty, the Mexican Cession, and the Gadsden Purchase. The Homestead Act of 1860, which would have benefited western settlers and migrants, was a result of jurisdiction of the Public Lands Committee.
In 1849, the Department of the Interior was established, with the Public Lands Committee serving as legislative oversight. The committee became responsible for enacting legislation to conserve nature and its resources. Due to the actions of the committee, Congress began working towards preservation of forests, wilderness, and historical landmarks with the signing of the Antiquities Act in 1906 and the establishment of the National Park Service in 1916.
The committee has gone under a number of name changes, but the functions and policy have remained similar to its creation. In 1921, the committee merged with the Committee on Geological Surveys to become the Committee of Public Lands and Surveys. Following the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946, it became the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, absorbing the jurisdiction of the Indian Affairs, Territorial and Insular Affairs, Mines and Mining, and Irrigation and Reclamation committees. Its most recent iteration, the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, was established on February 4, 1977, after the Committee System Reorganization Amendments of 1977.[1]
In accordance of Rule XXV of the United States Senate, all proposed legislation, messages, petitions, memorials, and other matters relating to the following subjects is referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources:
The Committee is also charged to "study and review, on a comprehensive basis, matters relating to energy and resources development, and report thereon from time to time."
See main article: 118th United States Congress.
| Subcommittee[7] | Chair | Ranking Member | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | Bernie Sanders (I-VT) | Josh Hawley (R-MO) | |
| National Parks | Angus King (I-ME) | Steve Daines (R-MT) | |
| Public Lands, Forests and Mining | Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) | Mike Lee (R-UT) | |
| Water and Power | Ron Wyden (D-OR) | Jim Risch (R-ID) |
See main article: 117th United States Congress.
| Subcommittee | Chair | Ranking Member | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | Mazie Hirono (D-HI) | John Hoeven (R-ND) | |
| National Parks | Angus King (I-ME) | Steve Daines (R-MT) | |
| Public Lands, Forests and Mining | Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) | Mike Lee (R-UT) | |
| Water and Power | Ron Wyden (D-OR) | Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) |
See main article: 116th United States Congress.
| Subcommittee | Chair | Ranking Member | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | Bill Cassidy (R-LA) | Martin Heinrich (D-NM) | |
| National Parks | Steve Daines (R-MT) | Angus King (I-ME) | |
| Public Lands, Forests and Mining | Mike Lee (R-UT) | Ron Wyden (D-OR) | |
| Water and Power | Martha McSally (R-AZ) (until December 2, 2020) | Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) |
| Subcommittee | Chair | Ranking Member | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | Cory Gardner (R-CO) | Joe Manchin (D-WV) | |
| National Parks | Steve Daines (R-MT) | Mazie Hirono (D-HI) | |
| Public Lands, Forests and Mining | Mike Lee (R-UT) | Ron Wyden (D-OR) | |
| Water and Power | Jeff Flake (R-AZ) | Angus King (I-ME) |
Source [12]