House Oversight Committee Creates New Interior Panel

Incoming chair of the House Oversight & Government Reform Committee, Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), has created a new subcommittee to keep tabs on Federal environmental policies at EPA, USDA, Interior, and Energy Departments.  The newly titled Interior Subcommittee combines the previous energy and regulatory affairs subcommittees.  Congresswoman Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) will serve as Subcommittee Chair.  The Subcommittee is expected to review agency performance and personnel as well as topic-specific issues such as the Endangered Species Act, renewable fuels, and achieving a balance between energy development and protections for water and climate needs.