Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** Biden to open oil reserves, jump-start critical minerals
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Thursday, March 31, 2022
A pumpjack in the Permian Basin. Sharon Sperry Bloom ([link removed]) , CC-BY-ND 2.0 ([link removed])
President Biden is expected to announce a major ongoing release of oil ([link removed]) from America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve on Thursday, in response to high gas prices and oil companies' refusal to increase production ([link removed]) while oil and gas prices remain high.
The plan, which the president is scheduled to reveal later today at the White House, would release one million barrels of oil a day for several months—a significant supply boost considering America's daily oil consumption of roughly 20 million barrels ([link removed].) . Within hours of the news, the international benchmark oil price ([link removed]) fell by more than five percent.
The New York Times ([link removed]) reports that if the plan is fully put in place, the U.S. would release 180 million barrels from the reserve, which currently holds about 550 million barrels, and has a total capacity of 714 million barrels.
** Jump-starting critical minerals
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President Biden is also preparing to invoke the Defense Production Act ([link removed]) as soon as this week in an effort to increase production of batteries and reduce America's long-term oil dependence. A source told CNN ([link removed]) that the order would "in no way" bypass environmental reviews or permitting requirements for new mines. The determination would fund feasibility studies for new production, as well as productivity and safety upgrades at existing facilities.
Quick hits
** LNG exports are raising heating and electricity prices for Americans
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Wall Street Journal ([link removed])
** White House budget signals offshore oil leasing delay in Gulf
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Bloomberg ([link removed])
** White House prepares to open Strategic Petroleum Reserve
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Bloomberg ([link removed]) | New York Times ([link removed]) | Financial Times ([link removed]) | CNBC ([link removed]) | Washington Post ([link removed]) | CNN ([link removed])
** Biden could invoke Defense Production Act for critical minerals
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CNN ([link removed]) | The Hill ([link removed]) | Yahoo News ([link removed]) | Associated Press ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed]) | Washington Post ([link removed])
** BLM director says sage-grouse changes, grazing rule coming soon
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E&E News ([link removed])
** Misinformation is derailing renewable energy projects across the U.S.
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NPR ([link removed])
** Tribal leaders push for more involvement in federal water policy
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KNAU ([link removed])
** Corner crossers reach for federal court, public access to 1.6 million acres
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WyoFile ([link removed])
Quote of the day
” Maybe, by playing good cop-bad cop, the outdoor gear industry can have an influence on Utah that it could never have by being all in or all out. But what’s more likely is that the anti-public lands faction that controls state government will feel like the other fellow just blinked ([link removed]) and there’s no need to agree to anything.”
—George Pyle, The Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed])
Picture this
** @BLM_MTDKs ([link removed])
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The BLM issued a proposed grazing decision and final EA/FONSI, today, for the American Prairie’s bison-grazing proposal involving seven grazing allotments in Phillips County, Montana. Read more – [link removed] ([link removed])
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