** Interior hosts multi-stakeholder forum on reforming oil & gas leasing system
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Thursday, March 25, 2021
Oil and gas development sites across the Four Corners region of Colorado and New Mexico. Source: NASA.gov ([link removed])
Today the Interior Department is hosting a virtual forum ([link removed]) as part of the Biden administration's comprehensive review of the federal oil and gas leasing program, a century-old system which gives industry a sweetheart deal to lock up public lands ([link removed]) and shortchanges taxpayers ([link removed]) in the process. The forum will feature several panels with a variety of stakeholders ([link removed]) , including industry representatives, labor and environmental justice organizations, natural resource advocates, and other experts.
Since President Biden announced a temporary pause ([link removed]) on federal oil and gas leasing, the industry has been trying to convince the public that the pause will devastate the economy. However, publicly-available data ([link removed]) and statements from oil and gas executives ([link removed]) reveal the disingenuous nature of their campaign. Jenny Rowland-Shea, Senior Policy Analyst with the Center for American Progress says ([link removed]) , “Despite the industry claims, a pause on leasing alone is unlikely to
substantially change federal oil and gas development in the next decade because the industry already controls so many acres of public lands.”
There is already bipartisan momentum in congress to address some of the most problematic aspects of the current outdated leasing system, including the Fair Returns for Public Lands Act ([link removed]) , legislation that will increase royalties from 12.5% to 18.75% for resources extracted from public lands, and increase the rental fees that oil and gas companies pay from $1.50 or $2.00 per acre to $3.00 or $5.00 per acre. In addition, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto has introduced the End Speculative Oil and Gas Leasing Act ([link removed]) , which will reduce the ability of oil and gas development companies to stockpile public lands that have little to no potential for development.
** Podcast: Happy Haynes on mountain parks, urban parks, and the future of play
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Allegra “Happy” Haynes is the director of Denver Parks and Recreation, as well as the Deputy Mayor of Denver. In the latest episode of the Center for Western Priorities' podcast, The Landscape ([link removed]) , Happy talks about the importance of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, Denver's unique system of mountain parks, and innovations in playgrounds.
Quick hits
** Outdoor businesses push for restoring Utah national monuments as Supreme Court invites challenges
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E&E News (Outdoor Businesses) ([link removed]) | E&E News (Supreme Court) ([link removed])
** Advocates for reforming the outdated oil and gas leasing system push back on industry's claims ahead of forum
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Carlsbad Current-Argus ([link removed])
** First-of-its-kind study confirms L.A. is capable of 98% clean energy within the next decade
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Los Angeles Times ([link removed])
** Podcast: Happy Haynes on mountain parks, urban parks, and the future of play
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The Landscape ([link removed])
** Senate committee votes to advance two of Biden's key environmental nominees
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The Hill ([link removed])
** Utah, BLM to coordinate on closure of 29 abandoned mine sites near Moab
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KSL.com ([link removed])
** Vandals permanently damage rock formations in popular southern Colorado open space
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Out There Colorado ([link removed])
** Opinion: Americans deserve better management of public lands, fair return on resources
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Reno Gazette Journal ([link removed])
Quote of the day
The top scientists in the world have taken this from dreamland to reality. There are hundreds of pathways that could take us to 100% renewable. It no longer should be a question of if, but when and how.”
—Los Angeles Mayor, Eric Garcetti ([link removed])
Picture this
** @USFWSNews ([link removed])
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From an all-time low of ~417 nesting pairs in 1963 in the lower 48 states, today the bald eagle population has grown to 71,400+ nesting pairs. This success story results from decades of protection, the banning of the pesticide DDT, & ongoing conservation partnerships.
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