** Judge lifts Biden pause on new oil leasing
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Wednesday, June 16, 2021
Montana DNRC ([link removed])

On Tuesday, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction ([link removed]) in favor of 13 states that have sued the Biden administration over its temporary pause on oil and gas leasing on public land. The judge did not rule on the legality of the case but blocked the suspension of lease sales as the case proceeds. While this could be a setback in the administration's fight against climate change and for a fair return for taxpayers on the use of public resources, it's unclear the effect that this action will have.

The Interior Department has stated that it will comply with the decision and may resume ([link removed]) lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska. However, the department argues ([link removed]) that lease sales are not required by law but are directed by the Interior Secretary and "no existing lease has been cancelled as a result of any of the actions challenged here, and development activity from exploration through drilling and production has continued at similar levels as the preceding four years."

Despite the judge's claim that the pause is costing states "millions and possibly billions of dollars," it has been established that the leasing pause is not having a negative impact on the oil and gas industry. The Energy Department found that it will have no effect ([link removed]) on the industry until 2022, which currently holds 10 million acres and 7,700 permits ([link removed]) to drill that are unaffected by the pause, allowing them to continue business as usual. In previous SEC filings and shareholder conference calls, multiple oil industry CEOs confirmed that they will be unaffected by the leasing pause.

In the coming weeks, the Interior Department is expected to release an interim report on the oil and gas leasing system that will include ([link removed]) "initial findings on the state of the federal conventional energy programs, as well as outline next steps and recommendations for the Department and Congress to improve stewardship of public lands and waters, create jobs, and build a just and equitable energy future," according to Interior Department spokeswoman Melissa Schwartz.


** 30x30: Rhetoric or reality?
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The Biden administration has established a goal to conserve 30% of the nation’s lands and waters by 2030 ([link removed]) for the benefit of all Americans. This goal, known as “30x30,” has been recommended by scientists in order to prevent the collapse of the planet’s natural systems while supporting communities across the country. Although the 30x30 initiative has widespread support from elected leaders, scientists, and the public, a number of bad actors have worked to spread misinformation on the topic. Here's a look ([link removed]) at the established facts.
Quick hits


** How to live with fire as extreme conditions spread across the West
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High Country News ([link removed]) | Axios ([link removed]) | CNN ([link removed]) | KSL TV ([link removed]) | Fox 13 ([link removed])


** Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge gets new federal support
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Colorado Public Radio ([link removed])


** Federal judge blocks Biden's ban on public land oil and gas leases, though effect is unknown
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New York Times ([link removed]) | Washington Post ([link removed]) | Associated Press ([link removed]) | The Hill ([link removed]) | ABC News ([link removed]) | Reuters ([link removed])


** Top Interior, EPA picks poised for Senate votes
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E&E News ([link removed])


** Opinion: Public lands leasing program needs overhaul
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Montana Standard ([link removed])


** How LGBTQ youth are building community through conservation work
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National Geographic ([link removed])


** Opinion: Wildland firefighters are desperately needed, but it’s a hard, risky job with low pay
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Denver Post ([link removed])


** 15 national park campsites to add to your bucket list
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Outside ([link removed])
Quote of the day
What I think is amazing about having identity-specific [trail] crews is that a lot of people—including myself, when I was 16—are terrified to learn wilderness skills while having to deal with homophobia or transphobia. In [the Rainbow Crew] we don’t have to worry about that.”
—Mel Hanby, Rainbow Crew leader-in-training, National Geographic ([link removed])
Picture this


** @Interior ([link removed])
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Standing in the immense darkness, surrounded by the white alkali flats of Soda Lake, you can almost hear the silence. Only a few hours from Los Angeles, the @BLMNational ([link removed]) ’s Carrizo Plain National Monument offers visitors a rare chance to be alone with nature.

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