** Biden proposes infrastructure overhaul, focusing on fossil fuel transition
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Thursday, April 1, 2021
President Joe Biden | @POTUS ([link removed])
On Wednesday, President Biden unveiled an ambitious $2.3 trillion proposal ([link removed]) to update our nation's infrastructure. While the plan focuses on traditional transportation projects, such as roads, bridges, and transit, it also proposes major investments in shifting towards clean energy and cleaning up existing fossil fuel development.
Biden's plan proposes investing $16 billion ([link removed]) to plug abandoned oil and gas wells and reclaimed abandoned mines, many of which are found on public lands. The program seeks to put laid off oil and gas employees back to work, providing support to communities feeling the brunt of the transition away from fossil fuels. "This is not a train-and-pray program," said ([link removed]) Ted Boettner of the Ohio River Valley Institute. "This funding will provide a true path for many people in the fossil fuel industry to have good-paying jobs in the places they want to live, work and raise a family."
The proposal also calls ([link removed]) for increasing renewable energy production and leveraging existing rights-of-way for a more resilient electric grid. Additionally, Biden proposes investing $10 billion in a Civilian Climate Corps to conserve public lands and waters. The administration is proposing to pay for the plan through a range of measures, including ending tax breaks for oil and gas companies.
Quick hits
** Montana legislators seek to ban non-profits from purchasing agricultural land for conservation
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Missoula Current ([link removed])
** Federal wildlife officials recommend continued protections for grizzly bears under Endangered Species Act
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Associated Press ([link removed]) | KTVH ([link removed])
** Judge rules Fish and Wildlife Service illegally paid for Colorado program to kill mountain lions, black bears
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Associated Press ([link removed])
** Biden infrastructure plan would invest $16 billion in plugging abandoned wells, push for clean energy
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Associated Press ([link removed]) | CNN ([link removed])
** Treasure hunter sentenced for digging in Yellowstone cemetary
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MTN News ([link removed])
** New Mexico spent millions on plugging abandoned oil wells in 2020
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Carlsbad Current-Argus ([link removed])
** Wyoming's economic recovery slowed by steep decline in mining
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Wyoming Tribune Eagle ([link removed]) | Wyoming Public Media ([link removed])
Quote of the day
Investing in orphan well clean-up would create good-paying jobs while helping reduce pollution, restore habitat and protect our climate.”
—U.S. Senator for Colorado Michael Bennet, Associated Press ([link removed])
Picture this
Cholla cactus in California's Joshua Tree National Park
Photo by Rob Hannawacker | National Park Service ([link removed])
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