"The long-term fate of a major conservation program could end up being a key sticking point in negotiations over federal energy policy reform.

House lawmakers last week appointed members of an energy conference committee, the first step toward finalizing a deal with the Senate on an energy overhaul bill.

Democrats support including in a final deal the Senate’s long-term extension of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), a popular public lands program.

But most House Republicans last week voted to block Democrats’ motion to support such an extension. Key Republicans on the energy conference committee have said they'll look to water down efforts to keep the program on the books without major reforms."

Devin Henry reports for The Hill May 31, 2016. [2]