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


** Environmental groups press Interior on oil and gas leasing report
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Wednesday March 23, 2022
Drilling infrastructure in Converse County, Wyoming. David Korzilius/BLM ([link removed])

The oil and gas leasing report requested by the White House and produced by the Interior Department last November only mentioned climate change directly three times ([link removed]) , despite making a number of valuable recommendations to reform the federal leasing program. Some conservation groups want to know why.

The Montana Environmental Information Center, Center for Biological Diversity and WildEarth Guardians filed a lawsuit against the Interior Department last week requesting "any improperly withheld records" related to the November report on the environmental impacts of the federal oil and gas leasing program. The groups filed multiple unsuccessful Freedom of Information Act requests last year ([link removed]) regarding the drafting of the report.

The oil and gas leasing report was drafted in response to an executive order issued by President Biden that directed federal agencies to address climate change, but it barely made mention of the issue, according to the lawsuit ([link removed]) . In it, the groups say they are seeking clarity on why the report "does not more directly address the ways in which federal fossil fuel production contributes to the climate crisis or could be modified to lessen that impact."

Despite not mentioning climate change, the report made a number of good recommendations ([link removed]) aimed at reducing speculative leasing, increasing royalty rates, and improving bonding requirements. It is imperative that the Biden administration acts on these recommendations before it resumes leasing public lands for drilling. ([link removed])
Quick hits


** Report: These areas of Wyoming and South Dakota national forests should be protected
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Pew Charitable Trust ([link removed])


** Horses power wildfire risk reduction on Oregon public lands
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KDRV ([link removed])


** Montana sees largest state oil and gas lease sale since 2014
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BIllings Gazette ([link removed])


** PepsiCo donates $2 million to project to reconnect portion of Colorado River
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Colorado Sun ([link removed])


** How geothermal plants could solve America’s lithium supply crunch
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The Conversation ([link removed])


** Ineffective reservation systems are contributing to the public lands campsite shortage
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Outside ([link removed])


** Court rules BLM must consider cumulative effects of grazing in Montana wildlife management area
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Missoula Current ([link removed])


** Nebraska and Colorado Are Fighting Over Water After 99 Years of Sharing Rights
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Wall Street Journal ([link removed])
Quote of the day
” Climate change and rising sea levels are threatening coastal communities across our region—including the homelands of several of our region’s tribes... The federal government has an obligation to fulfill its trust and treaty responsibilities and to make sure that people aren’t put at risk."
—U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer on the need for federal relocation funding for three Washington tribes, Native News Online ([link removed])
Picture this


** @CapitolReefNPS ([link removed])
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Apricot trees are beginning to bloom!

Full bloom is expected in 5-7 days and may last for about 1 week. Apple, peach, and plum trees will follow, and then pear and cherry trees.

Bloom updates are also available on the orchard hotline. Call 435-425-3791, press 1, then 5.

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