The House debated over 150 amendments to spending bills that propose steep funding cuts to conservation and climate programs at the Environmental
Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** Lawmakers consider cuts to climate, clean energy, and conservation budgets
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Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Renewable energy project on BLM land in California, Tom Brewster ([link removed]) /BLM ([link removed])
The House debated over 150 amendments to spending bills ([link removed]) that propose steep funding cuts to conservation and climate programs at the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Energy, Department of the Interior, and Department of Agriculture. The bills would cut funding for climate change and clean energy initiatives while opening up more federal lands for mining and fossil fuel extraction. The Rules Committee approved funding cut amendments to the Interior-Environment ([link removed]) and Energy-Water ([link removed]) bills, and the House is scheduled to vote on the bills this week.
The White House stated ([link removed]) that President Joe Biden will veto the bills if they reach his desk. “At this funding level, DOI would be unable to adequately conserve and protect the Nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage, maintain or improve critical infrastructure on public lands, or honor trust and treaty responsibilities to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and affiliated Island Communities,” the statement noted ([link removed]) .
The legislation is in line with the agenda of the antiparks caucus, a group of legislators identified in a recent Center for American Progress report ([link removed]) who are working to dismantle protections for America’s public lands. The antiparks agenda includes bills that seek to ([link removed]) overturn public land conservation actions or rules to seize and sell public lands; weaken, dismantle, or undermine the Antiquities Act; expand drilling or mining on protected public lands; limit habitat conservation; exclude the public from engaging in decision-making on land management; attack protections of specific public lands; weaken Tribal sovereignty on lands and waters; and
more.
Manchin, Barrasso announce permitting reform deal
Senators Joe Manchin and John Barrasso released ([link removed]) the Energy and Permitting Reform Act of 2024 ([link removed]) , which aims to speed up the environmental review process for energy and mineral projects. The proposed legislation includes measures that open up federal lands and waters to more leasing and drilling and includes new limits on litigation and language against the Biden administration’s pause on liquefied natural gas export approvals ([link removed]) . “Those who promote this kind of so-called ‘permitting reform’ claim that it’s necessary to accelerate the deployment of clean energy, but in truth this is nothing more than yet another attempt by fossil fuel industry boosters to give handouts for polluters at the expense of our communities and the climate,” said
Mahyar Sorour ([link removed]) , Beyond Fossil Fuels Policy Director for the Sierra Club.
** Quick hits
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Feds say new investments in Oregon sage grouse habitat paying off, but conservationists disagree
Oregon Capital Chronicle ([link removed])
Car camping and fighting wildfires: what are the new Climate Corps jobs?
The Guardian ([link removed])
Millions of Californians live near oil and gas wells that are in the path of wildfires
Los Angeles Times ([link removed])
Latino voters want more action on climate and clean energy in Arizona, new poll finds
Arizona Republic ([link removed])
Judge orders oil and gas leases in Wyoming to proceed after updated BLM environmental analysis
Inside Climate News ([link removed])
First win-win for affordable housing, public lands
Kiowa County Press ([link removed])
To protect giant sequoias, they lit a fire
New York Times ([link removed])
Opinion: Proposed Kw’tsan National Monument is a Sonoran desert treasure
Environment America ([link removed])
** Quote of the day
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” So many young people say that tackling climate change is one of the top issues for them. They want to spend their lives making a difference for their future, for their children’s future, for our collective future. And this is a way to do that.”
—Maggie Thomas, special assistant for climate to President Biden, The Guardian ([link removed])
** Picture This
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[link removed]
@usinterior ([link removed])
Did someone say road trip?
When heading south from Hanksville, Utah, highway travelers bisect the remote Henry Mountains — a place so remote it was the last mountain range in the contiguous United States to be mapped. The 11,000-foot forested peaks of the main mountain range rise to the west, while two distinctive summits, Mount Ellsworth and Mount Holmes, jut skyward from the rolling red sandstone mesas to the east.
Known as the “Little Rockies,” these peaks are designated as a National Natural Landmark for their geological significance. The peaks also provide habitat for desert bighorn sheep and numerous birds of prey.
Photo by Bob Wick / @mypubliclands ([link removed])
#utah ([link removed]) #usinterior ([link removed]) #henrymountains ([link removed]) #roadtrip ([link removed])
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