** Oil industry executives to meet with President Trump today
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Friday, April 3, 2020
Photo credit: U.S. Department of the Interior ([link removed])

Oil industry executives are headed to the White House today to ask President Trump ([link removed]) for a taxpayer bailout as oil markets collapse. The president declared via Twitter ([link removed]) that he had brokered a deal between Russia and Saudi Arabia to cut back their production, though neither nation has confirmed their acceptance of the terms.

While the oversupply in the market from two of the world's top producers is having an impact on U.S. oil producers, perhaps the bigger concern is the dramatic reduction of demand ([link removed]) as economic activity comes to a halt due to the coronavirus pandemic. Energy analysts predict ([link removed]) that prices will continue to decline even after supply cuts as markets are oversupplied through at least the first half of the year.

Despite the supply glut in the market, the Interior Department is continuing to hold lease sales for both onshore ([link removed]) and offshore ([link removed]) oil and gas development. Public lands advocates warn ([link removed]) of the risk of abandoned wells and liability for clean up costs falling to taxpayers if companies go bankrupt due to falling prices.
Quick hits


** Analysis shows Forest Service is bypassing public input and environmental reviews to fast-track logging projects
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Missoula Current ([link removed])


** Oil industry executives to meet with President Trump today
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Washington Post ([link removed]) | New York Times ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])


** Denver-based oil and gas company becomes first to file for bankruptcy amid pandemic-related price fall
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Denver Post ([link removed]) | Wall Street Journal ([link removed])


** Interior halts use of prison labor at national parks after internal investigation
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The Hill ([link removed]) | Washington Times ([link removed])


** Frogs found in western states are the climate equivalent of "canaries in the coal mine," or harbingers of disaster
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Inside Climate News ([link removed])


** Interior pedals forward with expanded use of e-bikes on public lands
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E&E News ([link removed])


** BLM permit for Nevada solar energy project delayed because of impacts to historic trail
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Reuters ([link removed])


** Visitors flock to Zion National Park as pressure increases to close the park due to coronavirus concerns
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Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed])
Quote of the day
The main priorities for the Interior Department right now should be helping get emergency health care resources to tribal nations and doing everything in its power to stop the spread of the virus – period. Secretary Bernhardt should make absolutely clear that now is not the time to field oil industry bailout requests, let alone holding oil and gas lease sales— as he has been doing.”
—Matt Lee-Ashley, senior fellow at the Center for American Progress ([link removed])
Picture this


** Sunrise at North Dakota's Theodore Roosevelt National Park ([link removed])
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