Friday, May 1, 2009

In the News - from USA-ALL

PRESS RELEASE
April, 30 2009
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Tara Hendershott, 202-224-5444, Washington DC 20510



Provo, Utah - 5/01/2009 - .
Its fair to say we have been very critical of Senator Bennett for his involvement in a Wilderness bill in southern Utah that was a slap in the face of most of our members. But we are as eager to praise Senator Bennett when he does positive things for the community as well. We still are concerned about him and other members of Utah's congressional delegation. We will keep a close eye on them and report the good, bad, and ugly. In this case we are happy to report the good.

Thank you Senator Bennett for using your influence for the benefit of the citizens of Utah. We hope to see more beneficial action from you on these issues.

The following is a release from Senator Bennett's office. Good Job Senator!

-USA-ALL-
BENNETT DELAYS DOI SOLICITOR NOMINEE
CONTACT: Tara Hendershott, 202-224-5444, Washington DC 20510

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 30, 2009

BENNETT DELAYS DOI SOLICITOR NOMINEE

Requests clarification on administration's position on Utah

Wilderness Settlement

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Bob Bennett (R-Utah) today delayed the confirmation of Hilary Tompkins, the Department of the Interior's (DOI) solicitor nominee, and has requested clarification from Secretary Salazar on the administration's position on the Utah Wilderness Settlement Agreement, which confirms that DOI has no authority to create new wilderness study areas.

"I need to better understand the legal opinions and direction of who will be the department's chief legal officer and the answers provided just don't cut it," said Bennett in a Senate Energy Committee mark-up today.

Bennett added that he was frustrated with the nomination process and the lack of substantive answers to the questions he has asked the nominees and the department. In a committee hearing last week, Bennett submitted questions to Tompkins asking her to explain her position on the Utah Wilderness Settlement, but he did not receive specific answers.

Bennett sent Secretary Salazar a letter today requesting the administration respond to the questions originally submitted to the solicitor-designate to clarify the department's current position on the settlement agreement and whether or not that position will change.

"As part of this anti-energy, anti-drilling movement, certain members of the environmental community are working to undermine the certainty we have in Utah and the West regarding wilderness study areas," added Bennett. "I need to understand whether Secretary Salazar is going to be a willing participant in such actions. I need specific information from the administration, not just promises to study the issue further. These groups who are anti-energy would like nothing more than to see this settlement go away, and I hope the secretary will not violate the agreement between the United States and the state of Utah."

Bennett said he would place a hold on the nomination of Tompkins until he is satisfied that he has an understanding of the department's position on the wilderness agreement.


http://bennett.senate.gov


Tara Hendershott
Press Secretary
U.S. Senator Bob Bennett (R-Utah)
202.224.5444

No comments:

Post a Comment