Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** Lawmakers request probe of foreign mining on public lands
------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, May 9, 2024
Formosa Mine Superfund Site. Source: BLM/Flickr ([link removed])
Democrats in the House are asking the Government Accountability Office to investigate foreign-owned companies ([link removed]) that mine on U.S. public lands. They're asking the GAO to look into the extent to which these companies are extracting minerals from public lands, and whether those entities are complying with U.S. environmental and human rights standards.
The GAO has previously reported that there are over 700 operations ([link removed]) authorized to mine hardrock minerals on federal lands, but little is known about the amount of material produced.
“There is evidence that U.S. companies seeking mineral leases on federal lands may be subsidiaries of foreign companies, including adversarial countries, accused of serious human rights and environmental violations,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter ([link removed]) to Comptroller General Gene Dodaro.
House Natural Resources Ranking Member Raúl Grijalva is leading the request, with support from Representatives Jared Huffman of California, Melanie Stansbury and Teresa Leger Fernandez of New Mexico, and Joe Neguse of Colorado.
The request comes as a growing number of lawmakers push to ease mining regulations ([link removed]) on federal lands. A bill sponsored by Representative Mark Amodei of Nevada that would allow mining companies to store waste on land that doesn't have economically recoverable minerals passed the House yesterday ([link removed]) .
** Quick hits
------------------------------------------------------------
Amodei mining bill passes House after procedural mishap last week
Nevada Independent ([link removed])
Great Basin tribes call for Bahsahwahbee national monument
Nevada Current ([link removed])
Legal scholars accuse Utah of failing to curb the Great Salt Lake’s decline
The Hill ([link removed])
Murkowski threatens Interior funding over Alaska restrictions
E&E News ([link removed])
Controversial state park proposal in Colorado moves forward
Denver Post ([link removed])
Navajo leaders urge Biden to block transport of uranium ore across Tribal lands
Arizona Republic ([link removed])
Study: Number of people 'alarmed' about climate changed has doubled in past decade
Nevada Public Radio ([link removed])
Legal challenges continue for SunZia transmission line
Inside Climate News ([link removed])
** Quote of the day
------------------------------------------------------------
” The demographic that cares the most about climate change are Latinos... They’re more convinced it's happening, that it’s human caused. They’re more worried about it, they’re more supportive of action and they’re more willing to get personally involved.”
—Anthony Leiserowitz ([link removed]) , director of the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication
** Picture This
------------------------------------------------------------
@Interior ([link removed])
Happy American Wetlands Month!
Not only are these highly productive and diverse ecosystems beautiful, but they also recharge groundwater, reduce flooding, supply clean drinking water, support wildlife and provide incredible recreational opportunities.
Photo by Adam Jewell
============================================================
** Website ([link removed])
** Instagram ([link removed])
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Medium ([link removed])
Copyright © 2024 Center for Western Priorities, All rights reserved.
You've signed up to receive Look West updates.
Center for Western Priorities
1999 Broadway
Suite 520
Denver, CO 80202
USA
** View this on the web ([link removed])
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
