** Climate takes center stage on Biden's first day
------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, January 21, 2021
Segments of the Keystone XL pipeline | Chris Schwarz/Government of Alberta ([link removed])

Shortly after being sworn in, President Joe Biden signed a flurry of executive orders aimed at reasserting American leadership in fighting climate change. Biden announced the United States will reenter the Paris Climate Agreement ([link removed]) and that his administration would cancel permits ([link removed]) for the controversial Keystone XL pipeline.

Several moves could have significant impacts in the West, as Biden ordered administrative agencies to review ([link removed]) , and possibly reverse, damaging Trump administration policies. At the Interior Department, staff will review policies that reduce safeguards for fracking on public lands, remove protections for migratory birds, weaken environmental reviews for timber sales on public lands, remove the gray wolf from the endangered species list, and reduce protections for sage-grouse habitat to allow more drilling and mining.

Notably, the president also directed the Interior Department to review President Trump's decision to dramatically shrink ([link removed]) Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments in Utah. In recent months, local governments near Bears Ears National Monument have passed ([link removed]) resolutions ([link removed]) asking President Biden to restore protections, led by a historic Navajo majority on the San Juan County Commission.
Quick hits


** What will happen to the Bureau of Land Management's Grand Junction headquarters?
------------------------------------------------------------

Colorado Sun ([link removed])


** How the Biden administration can protect 30% of America by 2030
------------------------------------------------------------

ScienceLine ([link removed])


** Trump administration attempted to make climate and conservation collide in the California desert
------------------------------------------------------------

Los Angeles Times ([link removed])


** Biden Interior Department begins to flesh out staff
------------------------------------------------------------

E&E News ([link removed]) | Alaska Public Media ([link removed])


** Trump administration designates more than 1,100 miles for potential oil and gas pipelines in Wyoming
------------------------------------------------------------

Casper Star-Tribune ([link removed])


** Bernhardt rescinds certain wilderness protections while leaving office
------------------------------------------------------------

The Hill ([link removed])


** Biden blocks new oil leasing in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
------------------------------------------------------------

Anchorage Daily News ([link removed])


** Biden administration to review major reductions to Bears Ears, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments
------------------------------------------------------------

Associated Press ([link removed]) | National Parks Traveler ([link removed]) | KUER ([link removed])
Quote of the day
Secretary Bernhardt is throwing sand in the gears on his way out the door. He hates wilderness so much that he's signing orders just so Deb Haaland can issue them again the moment she's sworn in. This is regulatory vandalism.”
—Aaron Weiss ([link removed]) , Center for Western Priorities
Picture this


** @Interior ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------
“In the desert, when the sun comes up, I couldn't tell where heaven stopped and the earth began. It's so beautiful.” - Forrest Gump Sunrise at the iconic Mesa Arch @CanyonlandsNPS ([link removed]) is popular for a reason.

============================================================
** Twitter ([link removed])
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Medium ([link removed])
** Instagram ([link removed])
Copyright © 2021 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])