Interior Newswire Report News


Alcova Reservoir water levels rising for annual filling

The Bureau of Reclamation will begin the annual filling of Alcova Reservoir on Saturday, April 1 to an operating elevation of 5,498 feet.


Biden-Harris administration awards $67 million construction contract for continued progress on the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project’s San Juan Lateral

The Bureau of Reclamation today announced a nearly $67 million contract award under President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to SJ Louis Construction Inc., of Rockville, Minnesota, to provide potable water to the Navajo communities and the city of Gallup in northwest New Mexico.


Reclamation refurbishes intake structure at Trinity Powerplant

Work is underway at Trinity Reservoir as part of Reclamation’s ongoing dam maintenance


Christine Dziedzina and Cathryn Todd selected to manage Reclamation's Human Resources Policy Office

The Bureau of Reclamation's Human Capital Officer Bryan Rainey announced the selection of Christine Dziedzina and Cathryn Todd as Human Resource Policy Office Managers.


Reclamation announces fluctuation of Wind River flow downstream of Boysen Dam

The Bureau of Reclamation, in collaboration with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGF), has scheduled a flushing flow in the Wind River downstream of Boysen Dam, according to Wyoming Area Manager, Lyle Myler.


Barrasso: Biden has prioritized greening the grid over the reliability of energy

U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR), delivered opening remarks at a full committee hearing to examine cybersecurity vulnerabilities to the United States' energy infrastructure.


Barrasso Leads on Legislation to Boost Department of Energy Cybersecurity Office

U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR), along with Senators Jim Risch (R-ID), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Mike Crapo (R-ID), introduced legislation regarding the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER).


Barrasso, Manchin Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Grow the Mining Workforce

U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR), and ENR Chairman Joe Manchin (D-WV) introduced the Mining Schools Act of 2023. This bipartisan legislation will increase and improve opportunities for university and college mining and geological programs to prepare students to meet America’s future energy needs.


Energy and Natural Resources Committee Assigns Members to Subcommittees for 118th Congress

The U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a business meeting to consider a committee resolution appointing members to the four subcommittees for the 118th Congress. Committee Chairman Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Ranking Member John Barrasso (R-WY) are ex oficio members of all the subcommittees.


Manchin, Committee Convene to Examine Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities to the United States’ Energy Infrastructure

The U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing to examine the steps needed to address the cybersecurity vulnerabilities to the United States’ energy infrastructure. During the hearing, Chairman Joe Manchin (D-WV) discussed how the nation’s aging grid, evolving energy system, and new energy sources coming online have created vulnerabilities in the United States’ energy infrastructure cybersecurity.


Manchin, Barrasso Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Boost Domestic Mining Workforce

U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee, and John Barrasso (R-WY), Ranking Member of the ENR Committee, introduced the Mining Schools Act of 2023. This bipartisan legislation will increase and improve opportunities for university and college mining and geological programs, like those at West Virginia University, to prepare students to meet America’s future energy needs.


Manchin, Risch Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Cybersecurity in America’s Energy Sector

U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the Senate Armed Services Cybersecurity Subcommittee, and Jim Risch (R-ID), introduced the Energy Threat Analysis Center Establishment Act of 2023 to improve public-private information sharing regarding cybersecurity across America’s energy sector.


Manchin, Barrasso Introduce Bipartisan America’s Outdoor Recreation Act

U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee, and John Barrasso (R-WY), Ranking Member of the Senate ENR Committee, introduced America’s Outdoor Recreation Act of 2023 (AORA). Originally introduced in the 117th Congress as the Outdoor Recreation Act, the bipartisan legislation would increase and improve outdoor recreation opportunities across the nation while improving infrastructure and driving economic growth in rural communities.


Manchin, Risch Reintroduce Bipartisan International Nuclear Energy Act of 2023

U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee, and Jim Risch (R-ID), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, reintroduced the International Nuclear Energy Act of 2023 (INEA). Initially introduced in the 117thCongress, the bipartisan legislation promotes engagement with ally and partner nations to develop a civil nuclear export strategy and offset China and Russia’s growing influence on international nuclear energy development.


Manchin Announces $1.27M Contract Award to Plug Abandoned Gas Well at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, announced that a $1.27 million contract has been awarded to a Morgantown, West Virginia-based contractor to plug one abandoned gas well at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve—America’s newest national park—and two abandoned oil and gas wells at Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Peninsula, Ohio. The contract utilizes funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) that Chairman Manchin secured to help address and remediate abandoned oil and gas wells.


Manchin Applauds Willow Project Reapproval

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, applauded the Administration’s decision to reapprove the Willow Project in Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve.


ICYMI — Manchin: The Biden Admin panders to climate activists. I won't support their nominees.

The Houston Chronicle published an op-ed from Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.


Committee Continues Investigating Onshore Leasing Actions, Despite Ongoing Silence from Biden Administration

House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) led all committee Republicans in a letter to U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, once again asking for transparency on the administration’s actions on onshore oil and gas development. In part, the members wrote:


Committee Explores Bipartisan Solutions for Tribal Autonomy

The Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs held a legislative hearing on two bills to increase tribal authority and control over their lands. Subcommittee Chair Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.) issued the following statement in response:


Republicans Start Comprehensive Look at Bringing Endangered Species Act Into 21st Century

The Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries held a hearing that started the examination of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), including any improvements that can be made to help species, habitat and people. Subcommittee Chairman Cliff Bentz (R-Ore.) issued the following statement in response: