REFERENCE TITLE: energy and land use restrictions

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-fourth Legislature

Second Regular Session

2020

HCR 2022

Introduced by

Representative Griffin

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Opposing federal legislation that limits land use and energy production.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Whereas, the United States House of Representatives passed three partisan bills severely limiting land use in this state and attacking American energy; and

Whereas, H.R. 1373 and H.R. 2181 permanently ban oil, natural gas, geothermal, coal, uranium and other mineral production on more than 1.32 million acres of land in Arizona and New Mexico; and

Whereas, the State of Arizona has a tradition of supporting good stewardship of its land, air and water; and

Whereas, the preservation of Arizona's economic longevity and the state's role as a leader in fiscal responsibility depends on prudent management of natural resources; and

Whereas, the citizens of Arizona recognize the inherent worth of this state's natural resources, as well as their economic value, in contributing to our state's identity and providing for future generations; and

Whereas, good stewardship of public property includes making resources available to private parties to advance national competitiveness and security by putting our natural resources toward those ends; and

Whereas, withdrawal of this vast amount of land eliminates or restricts reasonable and thoughtful use of these natural resources for economic development, jobs and expansion of the manufacturing base; and

Whereas, the House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources voted to permanently remove uranium from the critical minerals list, which exists to reduce our nation's dependence on imports, preserve our leadership in technological innovation, support job creation and improve our national security by streamlining the leasing and permitting process for production of these critical minerals.  Removing uranium from the list could drive uranium production entirely out of the United States and increase our reliance on importing this commodity; and

Whereas, the economic competitiveness of our state and nation depends on safe, affordable and reliable power; and

Whereas, passage of this onerous legislation will reduce revenues for education, roads, hospitals and infrastructure and will hinder job creation, harm local economies, threaten national security and undermine American energy security; and

Whereas, these bills put the interests of well-funded environmental extremists above the welfare of the citizens of Arizona and the United States.

Therefore

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona, the Senate concurring:

1.  That the Members of the Legislature condemn recent federal legislation that restricts land use and obstructs American energy production.

2.  That the Members of the Legislature find this legislation inimical to national security, property rights, energy security and the well-being of Arizona's citizens.

3.  That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona transmit copies of this Resolution to the President of the United States and each Member of Congress from the State of Arizona.