Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities


** Advocacy groups urge Biden to stand up to oil industry misinformation
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Monday, March 14, 2022
President Joe Biden. Source: @POTUS ([link removed])

More than twenty leading conservation, fiscal responsibility, and clean energy organizations sent a letter ([link removed]) to President Biden last week, urging him and his administration to stand up to the oil and gas industry's misinformation campaign ([link removed]) about the underlying causes behind high gas prices. Further, the letter encourages President Biden to call out the industry for trying to profit off the tragic conflict unfolding in Ukraine while enjoying record profits at home.

"Contrary to industry claims, there is no evidence that more leasing or increased production on public lands would lower gas prices or heating bills," the letter states ([link removed]) . In fact, domestic oil production is already nearing an all-time high, and has increased 26 percent between the start of 2016 and the end of 2021, averaging well over 11 million barrels per day in 2022. Despite the rhetoric coming from the industry ([link removed]) , oil companies are sitting on 13.9 million acres of unused leases, and have stockpiled 9,100 unused permits to drill on federal lands.

The letter acknowledges ([link removed]) that despite robust domestic production ([link removed]) , gasoline prices remain high, along with oil executives’ profits—shares in oil companies are on average about 20 percent higher than they were a year ago. "Retail gasoline prices and home heating costs have always gone up and down, unaffected by the energy policies enacted during any presidential term, and regardless of the amount of oil and gas produced on public lands or the number of federal leases and permits issued."

The letter also makes the case for breaking our dependence on fossil fuels and transitioning to clean energy alternatives that can’t be controlled by hostile foreign actors, stating ([link removed]) , "New leasing will ultimately further drive climate change, cost U.S. communities and taxpayers dearly, and will fail to impact energy prices."
Quick hits


** Lawmakers urge Biden to restart spending bill negotiations, prioritizing climate change
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Washington Post ([link removed])


** Anti-wolf activist convicted of misdemeanor hunting crimes
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Helena Independent Record ([link removed])


** The four biggest lies about President Biden and American energy production
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Huffington Post ([link removed])


** Colorado oil producers are sitting on nearly 3,000 approved but unused permits
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Colorado Newsline ([link removed])


** Increased visitation to Colorado's state parks raises issues with overcrowding, access
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Colorado Sun ([link removed])


** Litigious landowner suing hunters for corner-crossing gave millions to anti-democratic causes
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WyoFile ([link removed])


** Oil and gas regulators reject company's plan to drill within 2,000 feet of Colorado homes
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Colorado Sun ([link removed])


** Opinion: Time to end speculative leasing on public lands
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Grand Junction Daily Sentinel ([link removed])
Quote of the day
” Increased use of state and federal lands is a good thing, and the solution isn’t to curtail access, but rather increase it by conserving more land and removing barriers to entry from those who feel excluded or unable to access the outdoors."
—Jackie Ostfeld, Sierra Club’s Outdoors for All campaign, Colorado Sun ([link removed])
Picture this


** @Interior ([link removed])
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Spring forward! Lynx use their powerful hind legs for jumping and running. They will crouch before they jump or pounce on prey. When they release the energy stored in their legs, they launch. A lynx is only about 3 feet long, yet it can jump 25 feet!⁣ Photo by Emily Mesner⁣

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