** Fact-checking the oil industry's false claims against leasing reform
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Tuesday, April 27, 2021
Source: BLM.gov ([link removed])

Shortly after taking office, President Biden ordered the Interior Department to temporarily pause ([link removed]) new oil and gas leases on public lands while considering how to reform the century-old program that has long favored the industry at the expense of taxpayers, communities, and our climate. Following that order, the Interior Department recently held a public forum ([link removed]) to hear from a broad range of stakeholders, including Native American tribes, community leaders, environmental justice organizations, and the oil and gas industry itself.

At the forum, representatives of the oil and gas industry made several deceptive — and often outright false — claims, which they are likely to repeat during a hearing ([link removed]) on the leasing pause in the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee today. Among the various falsehoods ([link removed]) being espoused by industry trade groups like the Western Energy Alliance and the American Petroleum Institute are claims ([link removed]) that grossly misstated economic data in studies they have funded, and denial ([link removed]) that the industry is sitting on millions of acres of
unused leases and permits while also decrying other uses for our nation's public lands beyond energy development.

Faced with the potential for widely popular ([link removed]) and long-awaited reform, it appears the industry is turning to its well-worn misinformation playbook. However, calls for reforming the antiquated oil and gas leasing system are growing ([link removed]) , and the hearing today will feature other voices ([link removed]) that are supportive of the Biden administration's comprehensive review of the leasing system.


** Secretary Tom Vilsack shuts down 30x30 misinformation
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Speaking virtually at an annual conference of agricultural journalists, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack pushed back ([link removed]) on misinformation circulating about the ambitious conservation goal to protect 30% of America by 2030 (the 30x30 goal). The secretary lamented the misinformation being perpetuated by anti-conservation groups and made it clear that 30x30 is strictly about encouraging conservation, saying ([link removed]) ,
"This discussion surrounding 30x30 is really off-base. None of it involves taking over anyone's land from them or using eminent domain. It's not going to happen." The Biden administration is expected to release a report on 30x30 this week as called for in his Executive Order ([link removed]) on climate.
Quick hits


** In his first 100 days, Biden is reversing Trump's war on science
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Scientific American ([link removed])


** UN report expected to declare reducing methane emissions critical for reaching climate goals
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New York Times ([link removed])


** Fact-checking the oil and gas industry's false claims against leasing reform
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Westwise ([link removed])


** Interactive map shows impact, breadth of Land and Water Conservation Fund sites
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Fast Company ([link removed])


** Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack shuts down 30x30 misinformation
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E&E News ([link removed])


** SuperTanker 747 firefighting plane is shut down just as fire season begins
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Associated Press ([link removed])


** Montana Native American lawmakers criticize governor for scrapping bison management plan
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E&E News ([link removed])


** Opinion: Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument belongs to all Americans
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Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed])
Quote of the day
Unlike carbon dioxide or most other air pollution, methane isn’t released by burning fossil fuels, but comes from leaks and other releases from oil and gas infrastructure, among other sources. A growing body of research has shown that these oil and gas emissions are larger than previously thought, and a likely driver of the global increase of methane in the atmosphere. Fixing those leaks in theory should pay for themselves by saving money, because capturing the gas means companies capture more product. That potential makes plugging leaks from oil and gas infrastructure the most effective and cheapest way to slow emissions."
—Hiroko Tabuchi, New York Times ([link removed])
Picture this


** @USFWS ([link removed])
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Have you spotted any ospreys lately? These large raptors prefer to nest on manmade structures and in large trees near water. Watch for them soaring and fishing! Photo courtesy of Freddy Moyano.

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