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


** Interior Deptartment speeds renewable energy on public land
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Thursday, April 21, 2022
Jesse Pluim, BLM California ([link removed])

The Biden administration says it's on track to nearly double the capacity of renewable energy projects on public land ([link removed]) by the end of 2023. The projection came in a new report to Congress ([link removed]) that shows rapid progress towards an additional 10 gigawatts of renewable capacity by the end of next year, and 25 gigawatts of wind, solar, and geothermal energy on public lands by 2025.

Just this week, the Bureau of Land Management issued its first competitive lease for solar energy, leasing nearly 5,000 acres ([link removed]) for a 600-megawatt solar array in Utah's Escalante Desert. When the project is fully developed, it's expected to create 200 construction jobs and 15 ongoing operations positions while powering 170,000 homes.

Interior's report to Congress says it has over 50 renewable projects ([link removed]) in early review stages right now. The agency is also working to update land use plans across 11 Western states that are part of the Westside Energy Corridor, identifying 3 million acres of public land suitable for transmission lines while also “providing enhanced conservation of public lands.”
Quick hits


** Former Interior Sec. Bernhardt joins extremist-led disinformation campaign against 30x30 initiative
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E&E News ([link removed]) | Public News Service ([link removed])


** Interior on track to rapidly increase solar, wind, geothermal permitting
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The Hill ([link removed]) | Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed]) | Bloomberg ([link removed])


** Colorado oil and gas lease sale shrinks from 135,000 to 5,000 acres to protect sage-grouse
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Grand Junction Daily Sentinel ([link removed])


** Arizona wildfires seize on chaotic winds and parched forests
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New York Times ([link removed]) | Associated Press ([link removed]) | ABC News ([link removed]) | Arizona Daily Sun ([link removed]) | Arizona Republic ([link removed])


** Ute Mountain Ute tribe struggles with water contamination in shadow of nation's last uranium mill
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Denver Post ([link removed])


** How bitcoin is keeping zombie power plants alive
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Canary Media ([link removed])


** To reckon with theft of indigenous land, start by changing place names
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Futurity ([link removed]) | Idaho Statesman ([link removed])


** New agreement allows Cherokee citizens to gather plants in national park
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Oklahoman ([link removed]) | Associated Press ([link removed]) | KTUL ([link removed])
Quote of the day
” It's important for folks to recognize the connections between the insurrection supporters — the Trent Loos and [Ariz. Republican Rep.] Paul Gosars and Lauren Boeberts of the world — that these folks are definitely on the fringe, but American Stewards for Liberty is acting as the glue between those folks and political figures who try to come off as more mainstream, like Ricketts and Bernhardt and Cramer."
—Aaron Weiss, Center for Western Priorities, E&E News ([link removed])
Picture this


** @mypubliclands ([link removed])
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Looking for some fun in the sand? Little Sahara Recreation Area, located in western Utah's Juab County, includes 60,000 acres of sagebrush flats, juniper-covered hills and free moving sand dunes. It provides premier off-highway vehicle recreation opportunities and is known as “Utah’s Largest Sandbox.” As you explore public lands, please remember to #RecreateResponsibly ([link removed]) .

📸 Bob Wick

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