Plus, two national monument expansions expected in California
Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** BLM surpasses renewable energy goal
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Friday, April 12, 2024
Solar panels in the California Desert. Bureau of Land Management California, Flickr ([link removed])
On Thursday, the Bureau of Land Management released ([link removed]) its final Renewable Energy Rule, which updates regulations to incentivize and expedite wind and solar energy development on national public lands. The rule codifies lower acreage rental and capacity fees and provides for a streamlined process for renewable energy development in identified priority areas.
The final rule ([link removed]) comes on the heels of Interior Secretary Deb Haaland’s milestone announcement that the Biden administration has surpassed its goal of permitting 25 gigawatts of renewable energy on public lands by 2025. The rule also supports the national goal of transitioning to 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2035.
The BLM is also in the process of updating the Western Solar Plan—formally known as the Solar Energy Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement—which will provide an up-front land use planning process for the agency and stakeholders to identify areas that are most suitable for large-scale solar development and areas that are least suitable due to the need to protect other resources and values.
“As the U.S. accelerates its transition to clean energy, it’s important to recognize that there are areas where it makes sense to incentivize the rapid and extensive development of renewable energy and areas where it doesn’t,” said ([link removed]) Center for Western Priorities Policy Director Rachael Hamby. “Paired with the up-front planning in the draft Western Solar Plan, the Renewable Energy Rule will help the BLM advance renewable energy development in areas where it will have the greatest benefits for communities and our climate with the least harm to wildlife and nature.”
Biden to expand two national monuments in California
President Joe Biden is expected ([link removed]) to use the Antiquities Act to expand two national monuments in California, the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument and Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. Once designated, these expansions will put him just 100,000 acres away from solidifying his position as the president with the most acres of public land protected ([link removed]) in their first term in modern history.
The San Gabriel Mountains National Monument ([link removed]) expansion will include 109,000 acres of the Angeles National Forest, increasing outdoor accessibility for 18 million people that live in Greater Los Angeles. The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument expansion will add Molok Luyuk ([link removed]) , a 4,000-acre area sacred to the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation. Molok Luyuk boasts some of the state's most fascinating geology and rich plant diversity.
** Quick hits
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Biden awards $830 million to toughen nation’s infrastructure against climate change
Associated Press ([link removed])
Biden plans sweeping effort to block Arctic oil drilling
Bloomberg ([link removed])
Interior department finalizes action to strengthen Endangered Species Act
E&E News ([link removed])
Arizona's 'Wonderland of Rocks': Chiricahua National Monument celebrates 100 years
Arizona Republic ([link removed])
Forest Service chief: Prescribed burns conflict with air rules
E&E News ([link removed])
U.S. Senate spending panel calls for extending pay boost for Forest Service firefighters
Colorado Newsline ([link removed])
Utah has more than 200 ‘high hazard’ dams. Here’s where they are and what that means
Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed])
Endangered bumblebee is struggling to survive. New study might spur better management
CBS News ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])
** Quote of the day
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” We haven't seen Congress move this kind of legislation forward in the way that maybe we used to see in a more productive past, so using the tools that the president has to expand the national monument presents an incredible opportunity to preserve this place now and for future generations.”
—Daniel Rossman, Southern California Mountains landscape director for The Wilderness Society, E&E News ([link removed])
** Picture This
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@nationalparkservice ([link removed])
What about Bob? Fun fact. Most bobcats don’t go by “Bob.” To put it simply, some insist on “Robert.” Others prefer Rob, Robbie, Bo, Bobbi, Bobette, Roberta, Bobella, Kevin, and Bobina.
The bobcat (Lynx rufus) is the most common wildcat in North America. However, bobcats are elusive and rarely seen across their range. This is due to their preference for finding cover wherever they live. Bobcats are also excellent climbers and will climb trees to rest, chase prey, avoid predators, or to get away from it all. Bobcat: “I feel good. I feel great. I feel wonderful.”
#bigcats ([link removed]) #bobcats ([link removed]) #catsofinstagram ([link removed]) #nature ([link removed]) #wildlife ([link removed])
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