** States ask Trump administration to pay idle oil workers to plug abandoned wells
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Thursday, May 7, 2020
BLM oil and gas operations in California, one of 31 states asking the Trump administration to employ idle oil and gas workers to plug abandoned wells. Photo: Bob Wick, BLM ([link removed])
The Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, comprised of 31 oil producing states, has asked ([link removed]) the Trump administration to use coronavirus relief stimulus funds to pay laid off oil workers to plug abandoned wells. The proposal could be a win-win by addressing both an environmental problem and a growing economic problem from skyrocketing unemployment.
According to data ([link removed]) from the Environmental Protection Agency, there are around 3 million abandoned oil and gas wells in the United States, two thirds of which are unplugged. That number is likely to grow ([link removed]) due to unfavorable market conditions from decreased demand because of covid-19 and increased supply from foreign producers, which will drive many companies to declare bankruptcy.
Most states lack the resources to plug abandoned wells that are left by distressed operators, creating significant public safety and environmental risks. Kenneth Wagner, Oklahoma's Secretary of Energy and Environment said ([link removed]) , "Oklahoma is certainly supportive of the idea around a stimulus similar to what has been done in Canada around plugging abandoned wells."
Quick hits
** U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approved killing of endangered Mexican Gray Wolves
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Durango Herald ([link removed])
** States ask Trump administration to pay idle oil and gas workers to plug abandoned wells
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Reuters ([link removed])
** The Trump administration has reversed almost 100 environmental rules with more rollbacks in the works
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New York Times ([link removed])
** The BLM will now accept protests for oil and gas lease sales via email for the foreseeable future
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E&E News ([link removed])
** Millions of Americans live within a half mile of a fracking site and are more likely to suffer from respiratory illnesses
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Grist ([link removed])
** American electricity generated from renewable energy sources surpassed coal every day in April
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Newsweek ([link removed]) | The Hill ([link removed])
** Colorado anticipates a great whitewater rafting season this year—if coronavirus conditions will allow it
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Colorado Public Radio ([link removed])
** Local elected officials want funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund in next coronavirus relief package
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Colorado Politics ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])
Quote of the day
Calling the rules unnecessary and burdensome to the fossil fuel industry and other businesses, [President Trump's] administration has weakened Obama-era limits on planet-warming carbon dioxide emissions from power plants ([link removed]) and from cars and trucks ([link removed]) , and rolled back many more rules governing clean air, water and toxic chemicals. Several major reversals have been finalized in recent weeks as the country has struggled to contain the spread of the new coronavirus."
—The New York Times ([link removed])
Picture this
** @Interior ([link removed])
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Both cute & agile, bison calves like this one at Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge are up & running within a few hours of being born! Pic courtesy of Bob Gjestvang #Colorado ([link removed])
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