Congressional field hearing held at senate hearing room number one in Harrisburg Monday morning September 8, 2014.

From the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee web site.

This hearing will examine questions regarding bat data and non-human-caused disease, as well as the likely negative impacts that a federal endangered listing of the Northern Long Eared Bat under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) would have on important activities such as farming. The Northern Long Eared Bat is one of hundreds of species included in the Department of the Interior’s 2011 settlements with two groups that requires listing decisions by 2016. A final decision for the Northern Long Eared Bat could be made within the next several months. Witnesses at this hearing will testify about the real economic impacts of this potential listing on Pennsylvania citizens without any measurable benefits for the bat.

______________________

Opening statements.

Chairman Doc Hastings.

Congressman Glenn Thompson.

Congressman Scott Perry.

Jeff Pyle Representative, District 60 Pennsylvania House of Representatives Armstrong and Indiana Counties. Video.

Mr. Russ Biggica Director, Government and Regulatory Affairs Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Video.

Mr. Louis D’Amico President and Executive Director Pennsylvania Independent Oil & Gas Association Wexford, Pennsylvania. Video.

Mr. Jim Brubaker Board Member, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau Union County Farmer, Buffalo Valley Farms Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. Video.

Mr. John Stilley Owner and President Amerikohl Mining, Inc. Butler, Pennsylvania. Video.

Ms. Mollie Matteson Senior Scientist Center for Biological Diversity Richmond, Vermont. Video.

Mr. Martin Melville Owner Melville Forestry Services Centre Hall, Pennsylvania. Video.

Mr. Paul Lyskava Executive Director Pennsylvania Forest Products Association Harrisburg, Pennsylvania . Video

_______________________

Questions from the committee.

Glenn Thompson.

Scott Perry.

Chairman Hastings.