Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** American oil companies try to profit off the Russian invasion
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Friday, February 25, 2022
Liquified natural gas tankers at the Sabine Pass export terminal, Wikimedia Commons ([link removed])
Oil and gas boosters seized on the Russian invasion of Ukraine ([link removed]) yesterday to push their energy dominance agenda and call for more oil and gas production on public lands. Companies want to increase exports of liquified natural gas to Europe, which currently imports the gas from Russia.
But their plan ignores the obvious long-term solution ([link removed]) : rather than increase global dependence on a fossil fuel that contributes to climate change, and is transported across the world via ships that further pollute and exacerbate the climate crisis, the world—and Europe especially—must accelerate the transition to renewable energy.
Thankfully, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen agrees. “We are doubling down on renewables. This will increase Europe’s strategic independence on energy,” she said ([link removed]) . The new EU energy plan will be unveiled next week and is expected to call for a 40 percent reduction in fossil fuel use by the end of the decade. The plans will also speed up permitting of renewable energy projects, which already account for the plurality of electricity usage in Europe ([link removed]) .
This reveals the oil industry’s calls to increase drilling on American public lands ([link removed]) and cut corners on drilling permits ([link removed]) for what they are: profiteering off Russia’s war. It takes years for new leases to begin to produce oil and gas. By the time any new production comes online, Europe will be even further down its exceptionally prudent path to eliminate its dependence on American methane.
Quick hits
** Rocky Mountain states team up to promote hydrogen as a "clean" fuel
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Associated Press ([link removed]) | Oil City News ([link removed])
** Oil and gas leasing hurts public lands—even if leases are never drilled
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KHOL ([link removed])
** Defense Department launches three base-adjacent conservation projects
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Stars and Stripes ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])
** American oil companies are trying to profit off Russian aggression
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Westwise ([link removed]) | The New Republic ([link removed])
** Pipeline proposed to move water to Colorado's Front Range from San Luis Valley
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Denver Post ([link removed])
** Why some Navajo tribal members oppose helium extraction
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Arizona R ([link removed]) epublic ([link removed])
** Minimal water deliveries announced for California's Central Valley
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Los Angeles Times ([link removed])
** 500-pound bear burglar in California exonerated with DNA
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Sacramento Bee ([link removed])
Quote of the day
” With all of the divisions going on, looking up to the night sky connects us to the biggest mystery in our world and helps us get in touch with the fact that we are all humans on spaceship earth.”
—Bettymaya Foott, director of engagement for International Dark Sky Association, New York Times ([link removed])
Picture this
** @ ([link removed]) BLMOregon ([link removed])
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This morning, we're thinking about the beauty and resilience of our blue and golden yellow wildflowers. 💙💛
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