Sen. Mary Landrieu on track to chair energy & natural resources panel

Sen. Mary Landrieu said creating jobs in domestic energy will be among her priorities when she takes over the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The Louisiana Democrat, who could assume the post later this week, already is organizing the committee, hiring staffers and planning meetings with Republican and Democratic members. “I’m just listening,” Landrieu told reporters. “There’s no first thing. There’s no list yet, but it’s being put together. I’m excited about the energy renaissance that’s happening in this country.’ ’ The Senate Democratic Caucus voted Tuesday to make Landrieu chairwoman of the committee. The full Senate is expected to vote as early as Thursday on a resolution officially naming her to the post. A winter snowstorm, however, may push back a vote. Landrieu will replace Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Wyden stepped down from the post to replace former Democratic Sen. Max Baucus of Montana as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. Baucus resigned from the Senate last week after he was confirmed by the Senate to be ambassador to China. Wyden plans to preside over an energy committee hearing on his timber bill Thursday before stepping down as chairman...more

Louisiana is a private property state and this is the committee that provides oversight of BLM & the FS and has jurisdiction for wilderness, national monuments, livestock grazing and so forth.  Here's a list of previous Chairmen:

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, 1977–present

• Scoop Jackson (D-WA) 1977–1981
• James McClure (R-ID) 1981–1987
• Bennett Johnston (D-LA) 1987–1995
• Frank Murkowski (R-AK) 1995–2001
• Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) 2001
• Frank Murkowski (R-AK) 2001
• Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) 2001–2003
• Pete Domenici (R-NM) 2003–2007
• Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) 2007–2013
• Ron Wyden (D-OR) 2013–present

All were from public lands states except for one and sure enough he was from La.  Still, it should make you nervous.  She's not even on the committee now but they are making her Chairman.  With Joe Manchin of West Va. chairing the subcommittee on  Public Lands, Forests and Mining, that means all legislation affecting western public lands states will go through two chairmen who are from private property states.

What staff will she bring and how will she manage the committee?  Who on the Dem's side of the isle will have the most influence with her on public lands issues?  How will she work with Murkowski?

Is this a case of seniority awarding her this Chairmanship or is something else afoot?  Could be her tough bid for re-election has plenty to do with this. Recent polls have her in a virtual tie with her most likely Republican opponent.  The Dem's want to keep the Senate, thus Landrieu becomes Chairman.