Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** Oil and gas industry does just fine, even with strict regulations
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Friday, March 1, 2024
Oil well in Rangely, Colorado. Jeffrey Beall, Wikimedia Commons ([link removed])
The oil and gas industry still flourishes ([link removed]) even when strict regulations are enforced.
Since 2017, oil production has grown 15-fold in Adams County, Colorado, making it the second-biggest oil-producing county in the state by volume. And despite Adams County having much stricter regulations than the state's largest producer, Weld County, production is up about 58 percent since 2021. The state-leading Weld County: Down 6 percent.
In 2019, Adams County implemented new, stricter regulations. Drilling permits are now limited to three years instead of five, and companies must apply for new permits if a well remains unused for those three years. They must also monitor air and noise, use quiet electric drills, and be farther away from homes than state law requires.
Adams County also requires annual inspections of active and orphan wells, which has shown to help keep active wells in compliance with county and sate regulations—in 2023, operating wells achieved a compliance rate of 88 percent, up from 66 percent in 2021. According to ([link removed]) Adams County Commissioner Eva Henry, “This just shows that regulations don’t kill the business.”
** Quick hits
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Report: Abandoned oil wells imperil Native sites in Southwest
Archaeology Southwest ([link removed])
The good, the bad, and the ugly of the state legislative season
High Country News ([link removed])
Bill to shield Colorado landowners from lawsuits filed by people who recreate on their land heads to governor’s desk
Colorado Sun ([link removed]) | KUNC ([link removed])
Utah Legislature tries to assert more control over federal air quality regulations
Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed])
Upcoming public lands rule looks to reform conservation, recreation
KUNM ([link removed])
Runners gather to oppose Oak Flat copper mine in Arizona
Arizona Republic ([link removed])
Court rulings in West give states new power to protect dwindling groundwater
New York Times ([link removed])
Podcast: How one nonprofit is helping hunters and anglers join the conservation discourse
Montana Untamed Podcast ([link removed])
** Quote of the day
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” These sites are not only spiritually and historically significant, but they are also a vital part of Indigenous culture and heritage. Any damage or desecration caused by such activities is a violation of Indigenous rights.”
—J. Michael Chavarria, governor of the Pueblo of Santa Clara in New Mexico, E&E News ([link removed])
** Picture This
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@usfws ([link removed])
👑 Just a short king waiting for their crown.
Quick, cunning, and elusive ermine are challenging to photograph, moreso in winter when their fur turns white. Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge hosts 1 of 7 subspecies in #Alaska, Mustela ermine kadiacensisli.
📸 Kirstin Eaker/USFWS
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