Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** Bad permitting bill flies through committee
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Thursday, August 1, 2024
A pump jack on BLM land in Wyoming; BLM/Flickr ([link removed])
A bill that ties permitting reform to handouts for the oil and gas and mining industries ([link removed]) passed out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Wednesday with overwhelming support. The committee voted 15-4 ([link removed]) to approve the bill, which is co-sponsored by Senators Joe Manchin and John Barrasso. Manchin is championing the bill, after his attempt to pass permitting and grid legislation failed in 2022. ([link removed])
While the bill contains important and needed provisions that would help accelerate renewable energy development, such as facilitating planning and permitting for transmission lines to bring renewable energy from where it is captured to where it is needed, it is primarily a vehicle for a number of problematic and damaging extractive industry wish list items ([link removed]) . Over 300 environmental groups have signed onto a letter opposing the legislation ([link removed]) .
Lawmakers introduced a number of amendments ([link removed]) but ended up withdrawing almost all of them after Manchin stressed the need to keep the legislation intact. Senator Angus King wanted to nix ([link removed]) a portion of the bill related to LNG exports, but Barrasso said that the package had “absolutely zero” chance of advancing without that component. Senators Mazie Hirono, Bernie Sanders, and Ron Wyden all voted against the bill, citing environmental concerns.
President Joe Biden has not yet said whether he will sign the bill if it is passed by the House.
The future of Lake Powell with Zak Podmore
In the latest episode of CWP's podcast ([link removed]) , ([link removed]) The Landscape, Kate talks to author Zak Podmore about his upcoming book, Life After Deadpool: Lake Powell’s Last Days and the Rebirth of the Colorado River, which explores various aspects of Lake Powell’s emptying due to drought, from how to replace the loss of hydropower to how wildlife and plant life is returning to Glen Canyon as the lake recedes. Listen here ([link removed]) or wherever you get your podcasts.
** Quick hits
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Manchin-Barrasso energy permitting bill advances to full Senate
The Hill ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])
A surprising byproduct of wildfires: Contaminated drinking water
Washington Post ([link removed])
Deputy Interior secretary nominee Shannon Estenoz breezes through committee confirmation vote
E&E News ([link removed])
Proposed Colorado ban on hunting of mountain lions, other wild cats makes November ballot
Denver Post ([link removed])
California State Water Project supplies could fall over 20% within 20 years due to climate change
Los Angeles Times ([link removed])
Western communities partner to fund carbon removal projects
KUNC ([link removed])
Supercharged by climate change, western megafires explode simultaneously
Inside Climate News ([link removed])
Fish and Wildlife Service plans to release decisions on grizzly protections by end of January
Daily Montanan ([link removed])
** Quote of the day
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” Given all that we know [about climate change], the United States Congress is still considering legislation to provide a huge giveaway to big oil to drill, produce and sell more fossil fuels.”
—Senator Bernie Sanders on the Manchin-Barasso permitting reform bill, The Hill ([link removed])
** Picture This
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@Interior ([link removed])
Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in southwestern Montana is renowned for its natural beauty and is considered one of the most diverse landscapes within the national wildlife refuge system. Photo by Cortez Rohr /
@usfws ([link removed])
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