Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities


** BLM finalizes plan to streamline solar on public land
------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Solar project in Riverside County, CA; Flickr/BLM ([link removed])

The Bureau of Land Management has released a final draft ([link removed]) of its Western Solar Plan, which will streamline solar development ([link removed]) on 31 million acres of public land across 11 Western states.

The update builds upon a 2012 plan that highlighted key areas for solar projects in the Southwest, expanding that plan ([link removed]) to include Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming. The plan seeks to drive solar development ([link removed]) closer to transmission lines and previously disturbed lands and away from protected lands, sensitive cultural resources, and important wildlife habitat.

“The updated Western Solar Plan will help build modern, resilient energy infrastructure that creates a strong clean energy economy and protects our communities from the worsening impacts of climate change,” said ([link removed]) Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Dr. Steve Feldgus.

The final proposed maps from the BLM for each state in the Western Solar Plan can be found on the project's planning page ([link removed]) . The BLM is accepting feedback ([link removed]) on the plan for 30 days.

How nuts is Utah's land grab lawsuit?

In the latest episode of CWP's podcast ([link removed]) , the Landscape, Kate and Aaron discuss Utah’s attempt to sue the federal government for control of over 18 million acres of federal public land with John Leshy, Professor Emeritus, University of California College of the Law, San Francisco.

Leshy, who served as Solicitor of the U.S. Department of the Interior throughout the Clinton administration, discusses the underpinnings of Utah’s legal argument and explains why it’s likely to fail in court, if the U.S. Supreme Court even takes it up, which he says is also unlikely.


** Quick hits
------------------------------------------------------------

Too hot for trout: Why some anglers are rethinking their approach to fly fishing

NPR ([link removed])

Feel like writing a few rules protecting Colorado wetlands? The state wants you

Colorado Sun ([link removed])

Finalized federal plan outlines future of Western solar development

Reuters ([link removed]) | The Hill ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed]) | KUNC ([link removed]) | Nevada Independent ([link removed]) | Grand Junction Daily Sentinel ([link removed]) | Nevada Current ([link removed])

Navajo Nation passes emergency law regulating transportation of uranium across its land

ABC News ([link removed])

How wildfire smoke, retardant slurry impact human health, environment

Denver Post ([link removed])

Federal ‘land grab’ advanced by Barrasso, Hageman angers Tribes

WyoFile ([link removed])

What Tribal leaders think about Interior’s dams report

High Country News ([link removed])

Climate change comes to the Tetons

New York Times ([link removed])


** Quote of the day
------------------------------------------------------------

” Thankfully, our nation’s public lands offer some of the best solar energy resources we’ve got... The BLM’s final Western Solar Plan harnesses this clean and abundant resource responsibly, focuses projects away from ecologically and culturally sensitive places, honors community input, and realizes the imperative that our public lands must be part of the climate solution.”

—Justin Meuse ([link removed]) , the Wilderness Society’s director of government relations for energy and climate


** Picture This
------------------------------------------------------------

@usinterior ([link removed])
Fall is a great time to hit the road, take advantage of the scenic lookouts on public lands and pull-offs along the way and immerse yourself in some of the best views this country offers.

Whether you are enjoying the fall foliage in @BlueRidgeNPS ([link removed]) , taking in the breathtaking scenery of Going-to-the-Sun Road in @GlacierNPS ([link removed]) or watching the sunrise from Summit Road in @AcadiaNPS ([link removed]) , September is a great time to set out on an open road adventure and discover the beauty and history of public lands along the way.

Photo by Jordan Lefler

============================================================
** 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])