** Senate rebukes Trump's rollback of limits to methane emissions
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Thursday, April 29, 2021
Oil and gas production is one of the top sources of methane emissions. Photo: NOAA.gov ([link removed])

The United States Senate voted 52-42 ([link removed]) yesterday to restore regulations that impose limits on methane leaks from oil and gas activities. Lawmakers used the Congressional Review Act (CRA) ([link removed]) to nullify the efforts by the Trump administration to undo the Obama-era regulation to limit methane leaks—essentially acting to repeal a previous repeal. The CRA can be used within 60 legislative days ([link removed]) of a rule's enactment and requires only a simple majority vote, making it the swiftest way to overturn an existing federal rule.

The CRA had only been successfully used once before President Trump took office. However, at the beginning of his administration in 2017 it was used to overturn Obama-era rules more than a dozen times ([link removed]) , including those aimed at blocking coal-mining operations from dumping waste into nearby waterways ([link removed]) and another requiring that oil, gas and mining companies divulge more information to the Securities and Exchange Commission about the payments they make to foreign governments.

Some companies within the oil and gas industry support the effort ([link removed]) to restore the Obama-era methane emissions rule, including major companies such as BP and Royal Dutch Shell. Mary Streett, BP’s senior vice president for U.S. advocacy said in a statement ([link removed]) , “Regulating methane emissions is essential to preventing leaks throughout the industry and protecting the environment.” Limiting methane emissions is a key part ([link removed]) of the Biden administration's pledge to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 50% before 2030.


** See you in May!
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More public lands and energy news from Look West will be delivered to your inbox again on Monday, May 3rd. Have a lovely weekend!
Quick hits


** Interior Secretary Deb Haaland says public lands should reflect America
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Outside ([link removed])


** Senate rebukes Trump's rollback of limits to methane emissions
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Washington Post ([link removed]) | New York Times ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])


** Lawmakers and officials suggest alarm over Biden's oil leasing pause is overblown
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Nevada Current ([link removed])


** California hits milestone of generating nearly 95% of its power from renewable energy
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Los Angeles Times ([link removed])


** "Bears Ears is being managed by Google," say advocates worried about record visitation to the area
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KUER ([link removed])


** Study: swift action to cut methane emissions could slow the Earth's warming by 30%
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Washington Post ([link removed])


** A new Civilian Climate Corps can help create jobs, fight climate change, and transition to renewable energy
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Inside Climate News ([link removed])


** Opinions: Faith leaders, Nevadans make the case for the 30x30 vision
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Arizona Republic ([link removed]) | Reno Gazette Journal ([link removed])
Quote of the day
For people of faith and conscience, the decision to protect natural spaces and the species that depend on them is not just a political or scientific issue; it is a moral and spiritual issue. That is why we support the Thirty by Thirty Resolution to Save Nature."
—Rev. Doug Bland, Executive Director of Arizona Interfaith Power & Light ([link removed])
Picture this


** @BLMNational ([link removed])
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#DYK ([link removed]) - This year, the Bureau of Land Management is celebrating our 75th anniversary! Join us as we honor, harvest and care for this natural wealth of the #publiclands ([link removed]) owned by us all. Read our story: [link removed] ([link removed]) . #PublicLands75 ([link removed]) #ReImaginePublicLands ([link removed])

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