Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** Trump declares energy "emergency"
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Tuesday, January 21, 2025
President Trump signs executive orders following his inauguration. White House ([link removed])
In the first few hours of his second term, President Donald Trump declared a national energy “ ([link removed]) emergency” ([link removed]) along with other executive orders ([link removed]) that seek to expand oil and gas production, unravel Biden-era environmental policies, and withdraw from international climate agreements.
“Claiming there’s an energy ‘emergency’ when America’s oil and gas production is at an all-time high is laughable,” said Center for Western Priorities Policy Director Rachael Hamby ([link removed]) . “The only emergency today is that Donald Trump’s oil billionaire friends want to enrich themselves even faster while ripping off American taxpayers and trashing our public lands.”
President Trump also signed an executive order titled “Unleashing American Energy ([link removed]) ,” which calls for increased fossil fuel production and mining on public lands and waters. It also calls for a review of all mineral withdrawals that affect mining for non-fuel minerals (like critical minerals), and calls on the U.S. Geological Survey to update the critical minerals list, assessing the potential of adding uranium to the list.
Another executive order ([link removed]) rescinds many of the Biden administration’s protections for the Arctic, in particular prioritizing exports of American natural gas to foreign countries and attempting to restart oil leasing and drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Looking back on Biden's conservation record
In a new episode of The Landscape ([link removed]) , Kate and Aaron talk to CWP colleagues Lauren Bogard and Sterling Homard about our recent report ([link removed]) on President Joe Biden’s final year on public lands, which looks at Biden's conservation achievements over the past year in the context of his full presidential term. They also recap Trump Interior Secretary Nominee Doug Burgum’s Senate confirmation hearing and discuss a new legislative attack on the Antiquities Act.
** Quick hits
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Trump signs orders to promote fossil fuels and end climate policies
New York Times ([link removed]) | Grist ([link removed]) | Heatmap ([link removed]) | CBS News ([link removed]) | Reuters ([link removed]) | CNBC ([link removed]) | Politico ([link removed]) | The Hill ([link removed]) | E&E News
([link removed]) | Center for Western Priorities ([link removed]) [press release]
House bill would strip the president’s power to designate national monuments
Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed]) | Las Vegas Review-Journal ([link removed]) | KSL ([link removed]) | Deseret News ([link removed]) | Outdoor Life ([link removed]) | St. George News ([link removed]) | National Parks Traveler ([link removed])
Opinion: Utah’s public lands are safe—for now. The fight is just beginning
Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed])
How Trump-proof is Biden’s environmental legacy?
Washington Post ([link removed])
Outgoing Interior Secretary Deb Haaland reflects on her legacy
NPR ([link removed]) | Albuquerque Journal ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed]) | The Hill ([link removed]) | HuffPost ([link removed]) | Associated Press ([link removed]) | Santa Fe New Mexican ([link removed])
What will Trump's second term mean for Arizona public lands?
Arizona Republic ([link removed])
Report: 8 ways special interests are asking President Trump to sell out U.S. public lands
Center for American Progress ([link removed])
EPA takes unprecedented step to remove uranium waste from the Navajo Nation
High Country News ([link removed])
** Quote of the day
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” I strongly disagree with the President’s decision on Denali. Our nation’s tallest mountain, which has been called Denali for thousands of years, must continue to be known by the rightful name bestowed by Alaska’s Koyukon Athabascans, who have stewarded the land since time immemorial.”
—Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski on President Trump's pledge to rename Denali ([link removed]) as “Mt. McKinley”, via X ([link removed])
** Picture This
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[link removed]
@yellowstonenps ([link removed])
As we’re in the midst of a winter cold snap here in Yellowstone, it’s hard to imagine any creature preparing for Spring. But the deep series of nocturnal hoots ringing out from patches of forest throughout Yellowstone would indicate otherwise. Spurred by increasing daylight, Great Horned Owls are already starting to defend their nesting territories with loud hoots and even screams. Soon the female will lay eggs and incubate them through some of the coldest months of the year. Come spring, the owlets will have a head start at growing and by fall, learning to hunt on their own! 🦉
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