** EPA ignores tribal opposition to methane rollback
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Friday, August 7, 2020
Methane flaring, Bureau of Land Management ([link removed])
Native American tribes in New Mexico are opposing ([link removed]) an EPA rule that would reduce or remove requirements for oil and gas companies to monitor and mitigate methane releases. The Four Corners region has the highest concentration ([link removed]) of methane emissions in the U.S. already, a problem that this rollback will only exacerbate. In San Juan County, more than half of the Native American population lives within a half-mile of an oil and gas production site. Since the new rule only covers new development, it leaves existing infrastructure unregulated.
Methane emissions have significant health impacts, especially during a pandemic that affects the respiratory system. Exposure to pollutants like particulate matter and ozone is linked to worse health outcomes from COVID-19. Despite the Navajo Nation experiencing one of the highest concentrations of the virus and a higher per capita death rate than any state, the EPA has ignored requests to delay the rule-making until acceptable consultation can occur, and plans to finalize ([link removed]) the rule later this month.
Quick hits
** Interior chief's former client among firms that secured COVID-19 relief
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The Hill ([link removed])
** After a year on job, public lands chief overdue for confirmation hearing
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Roll Call ([link removed])
** Endangered species ‘habitat’ proposal raises climate questions
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Bloomberg ([link removed]) | National Law Review ([link removed])
** Methane plume threatens New Mexico as EPA weakens safeguards
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E&E News ([link removed])
** Trump to continue Pebble Mine permitting process after son announces opposition
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The Hill ([link removed])
** Nevada gold mine suspends expansion
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Nevada Independent ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])
** BLM to host meetings about Chaco drilling plan
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Durango Herald ([link removed]) | Farmington Daily Times ([link removed])
** Anti-public lands extremists avoid further prosecution for standoff with government
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Bloomberg ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])
Quote of the day
For most things that we’ve tracked in the Trump administration, things don’t happen by chance. We’ve seen time and time again in this administration and particularly in the Interior Department, run by a former lobbyist, that that former lobbyist’s clients tend to get favorable treatment.”
—Jayson O’Neill, Western Values Project Director, The Hill ([link removed])
Picture this
** @Interior ([link removed])
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Growing over 40 feet tall & as old as 200 years, the giant saguaro @SaguaroNPS ([link removed]) as amazing desert plants. Admire them, but don't hug them. They're covered in spikes. Pic by Tom Arends ([link removed] ([link removed]) ) #Arizona ([link removed])
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