Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities


** Changes are underway for oil and gas drilling on public lands
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Friday, July 28, 2023
Oil and gas development on federal lease managed by BLM California. BLM California | Flickr ([link removed])

Reforming the federal oil and gas leasing system is necessary to fulfill mandates under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and ensure that recreation on public lands are protected, according to a new report ([link removed]) from Outdoor Alliance and Public Lands Solutions.

The report emphasizes that healthy public lands bring a slew of economic benefits to communities, namely through visitation, outdoor recreation, new businesses, and new residents, as families and young professionals seek places to live with great outdoor access and high quality of life.

The current oil and gas leasing system inhibits the development of healthy public lands by instead introducing air and water pollution, physical impacts to viewsheds, and safety concerns related to recreation and industrial activity occurring in close proximity.

Thankfully, the Biden administration has taken steps to reform parts of the outdated oil and gas leasing system. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) introduced a number of reforms, including raising royalty rates for on- and offshore oil production, raising rental rates for oil leases, and eliminating non-competitive leasing, which allowed companies to buy up leases that did not sell at auction for $1.50. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recently proposed a draft rule ([link removed]) that will clarify how these changes will be implemented through the complex leasing process.

A new post ([link removed]) from Center for Western Priorities Communications Manager Kate Groetzinger takes note of these proposed reforms and clarifies that in order to make proposed rules stick, the Biden administration must fast-track rulemakings and finalize them by April or May of 2024. Otherwise, the final rules could potentially be overturned by Congress through the Congressional Review Act (CRA) process.


** Quick hits
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July has been so blistering hot, scientists already calculate that it’s the warmest month on record

Associated Press ([link removed]) | Axios ([link removed])

Taking stock of the Biden administration’s oil and gas reforms

Westwise ([link removed])

Oil-train opponents look to railroad’s expiring Moffat Tunnel lease for bargaining power

Colorado Newsline ([link removed])

Ammon Bundy ordered to pay $26 million to Idaho hospital, its CEO and 2 staff members

CNN ([link removed])

Corner crossers: Halt of court ruling would harm public’s land access

WyoFile ([link removed])

For hikers in extreme heat, help might not be on the way

Washington Post ([link removed])

Bipartisan Outdoors for All Act to bring parks to every American

Outside ([link removed])

The West sizzles, even at midnight

High Country News ([link removed])


** Quote of the day
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” Unless an ice age were to appear all of a sudden out of nothing, it is basically virtually certain we will break the record for the warmest July on record and the warmest month on record.”
—Copernicus Director Carlo Buontempo, Associated Press ([link removed])


** Picture This
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** @LakeClarkNPS ([link removed])
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Munch, munch, munch… snacking the whole day through! Brown bears will consume 80-90 pounds of food a day! A nutrient-rich diet full of sedges, clams, berries, roots, and fish allows bears to pack on the pounds before entering hibernation in the fall.

NPS Photo/K. Knick

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