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


** U.S. oil production up, despite changes to federal leasing system
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Thursday, October 5, 2023
A pump jack on public land in California; Credit: BLM/Flickr ([link removed])

Despite changes to the federal oil and gas leasing program that upped the cost of drilling on public land, oil and gas production in the U.S. is soaring under the Biden administration ([link removed]) .

U.S. crude oil production has been climbing since Joe Biden came into office and is now nearing record highs, according to data released Friday ([link removed]) by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). The agency projects that oil production will hit a new all-time high ([link removed]) next year. Meanwhile, domestic natural gas production has also been hovering around record highs ([link removed]) .

While the Biden administration has sought to balance oil and gas leasing ([link removed]) with other priorities, such as protecting cultural sites and biodiversity on public lands as well as raising bonding requirements, it has actually approved more permits ([link removed]) for drilling on public lands than the Trump administration had over the same period of time. And the United States has also been exporting more crude oil and petroleum products ([link removed]) than it has been importing for the past 22 months.

This record production isn't impacting prices at the pump though, largely due to OPEC, which has doubled down on production cuts ([link removed]) in the past year. The price of a gallon of regular gas at the pump, on average, rose from about $3.45 in January of this year to $3.80 at the beginning of October, according to the EIA ([link removed]) .


** Quick hits
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California legislation requiring companies to pay for oil and gas well cleanup in limbo

Capital & Main ([link removed]) | Los Angeles Times ([link removed])

BLM corrects mistake in Rock Springs, WY management plan, saying roads and trails won’t be closed

Wyoming Public Radio ([link removed])

Interior Department Deputy Secretary Tommy Beaudreau is stepping down

Washington Post ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])

USFWS is creating a frozen library of biodiversity to preserve endangered species

Inside Climate News ([link removed])

Backcountry fishing has rapidly changed alpine lakes and the trout living there

Wyoming Public Radio ([link removed])

The largest dam removal in history stirs hopes of restoring California Tribes’ way of life

Los Angeles Times ([link removed])

Saudi alfalfa company to appeal Arizona's move to revoke groundwater deal

Arizona Republic ([link removed])

Town of Vail approves $17.5 million acquisition of parcel to protect bighorn sheep habitat

Colorado Sun ([link removed])


** Quote of the day
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” This river is our lifeline. It’s our mother. It’s what feeds us. It’s the foundation to our people, for our culture... Seeing the restoration of our river, our fisheries, I think is going to uplift us all.”

—Annelia Hillman, a traditional food coordinator for the Yurok Tribe, on the Klamath River, Los Angeles Times ([link removed])


** Picture This
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@u ([link removed]) sinterior ([link removed])
Rushing waters and rustling leaves with vibrant fall-colored hues turn Tanalian Falls at @LakeClarkNPS ([link removed]) into a gorgeous autumn wonderland. With cold glacial water falling over a 30-foot cliff, the mist from Tanalian Falls will cool visitors’ faces, the roaring of the falls with deafen their ears and the views will take their breath away.

Visitors can hike beyond Tanalian Falls and experience Lake Clark’s designated wilderness while they are on their way to Kontrashibuna Lake, a serene and spectacular mountain gem.

Photo by K. Tucker / NPS

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