** National Park Service health experts warned of risks in staying open
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Friday, April 10, 2020
Hikers crowd the Angels Landing trail in Zion National Park in March, 2020 | Zion National Park ([link removed])

In an April 3 memo ([link removed]) , the National Park Service's chief epidemiologist warned that keeping parks open creates significant public health risks ([link removed]) . "Continued NPS visitation not only threatens our workforce, but uniquely enhances COVID-19 risks in the neighboring communities and visitors and increases the risk of negative outcomes for all," stated the memo, obtained by Type Investigations and Sierra.

While many major parks have closed ([link removed]) in recent weeks after sustained outcry from local communities and officials, more than 200 parks remain open. Interior Secretary David Bernhardt has offered no national guidance during the pandemic, instead leaving public health and operations decisions to each park superintendent. "The DOI response has been dangerously uneven and contradictory,” said ([link removed]) a veteran Park Service employee. “I would just describe it as chaos."

Putting a fine point on the consequences of leaving parks open during the coronavirus pandemic, the memo states ([link removed]) , “We can say with absolute certainty that leaving our parks open to the public when social distancing is not being practiced, onboarding employees originating from throughout the country and world, and permitting significant shared housing environments will result in a significantly greater burden of disease and death than if we had taken the proactive measure to continue to close these parks and/or limit operations.”
Quick hits


** Senators urge Trump administration to halt environmental rollbacks during pandemic
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CNN ([link removed])


** Major U.S. banks prepare to seize oil and gas assets during bust, run their own energy companies
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Reuters ([link removed])


** With crashing oil markets, is "energy dominance" coming to an end?
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OilPrice ([link removed]) | New York Times ([link removed]) (opinion)


** Saudi Arabia, Russia strike deal to limit production, suspend oil price war
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The Hill ([link removed])


** Coronavirus shutdowns drive decline in utility grid loads
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Utility Dive ([link removed])


** Chief National Park Service epidemiologist warns of health risks in keeping parks open
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Type Investigations ([link removed])


** BLM approves controversial land management plan that prioritizes drilling, mining in southwest Colorado
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Grand Junction Daily Sentinel ([link removed])


** Editorial: Trump is using coronavirus to push through his draconian, fossil fuel-first agenda
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Los Angeles Times ([link removed])
Quote of the day
The thud you heard was the sound of the US rig count falling flat on its face.”
—Bob Williams, Enverus, S&P Global ([link removed])
Picture this


** @BLMNewMexico ([link removed])
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Short-horned lizards come in a variety of colorful patterns intended to blend in with their surroundings. They use this to camouflage themselves as they wait for prey, usually insects. Photo by Deanna Younger. #NationalWildlifeWeek ([link removed])

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