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


** Methane emissions spike in the Permian
------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, June 28, 2022
Flaring in Eddy County, NM. Blake Thornberry, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 ([link removed])

New satellite data show that methane emissions from fossil fuels ([link removed]) are rising even faster than the global rebound in oil production. The satellite analysis firm Karryos ([link removed]) said that in the Permian Basin, methane emissions rose 33 percent in the first quarter of 2022, and jumped 47 percent compared to the first quarter of 2021.

The report found ([link removed]) that “emissions from the Permian, Appalachian and Anadarko fossil fuel basins, accounting for a large share of total US onshore production, reached their highest level in three years in [the first quarter of 2022].” Karryos added that oil and gas field activity indicate that even more methane emissions increases could be in store for the rest of the year.

The report suggests that oil and gas companies may be paying less attention to responsible production as they increase drilling.

Six months ago, more than 100 countries signed on to the Global Methane Pledge, promising to cut methane emissions by 30 percent by 2030. But Karryos has tracked 70 “super-emitter” events in the U.S. so far this year—compared to 105 events in all of 2021.
Quick hits


** Biden administration to hold oil lease sale on public lands this week
------------------------------------------------------------

The Hill ([link removed])


** Despite global pledge, methane emissions on the rise in the U.S. and worldwide
------------------------------------------------------------

Washington Post ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])


** America's climate push is in peril
------------------------------------------------------------

Politico ([link removed])


** Court says land swap for copper mine doesn't violate tribal rights
------------------------------------------------------------

E&E News ([link removed])


** Why the public can't access the West's biggest waterfall
------------------------------------------------------------

High Country News ([link removed])


** California's drought and bark beetles are killing the oldest trees on earth
------------------------------------------------------------

Los Angeles Times ([link removed])


** Colorado “constitutional sheriff” candidates vow to not enforce the law
------------------------------------------------------------

Colorado Sun ([link removed])


** National park visitors contributed billions to Western economy in 2021
------------------------------------------------------------

KRQE ([link removed]) (New Mexico) | KNAU ([link removed]) (Arizona) | Denver7 ([link removed]) (Colorado) | KPVI ([link removed]) (Wyoming)
Quote of the day
” At some point, we have to have a two-pronged strategy … much more of a focus on renewables and then cleaning up the damn mess that we’re gonna leave behind. And I gotta tell you, this mess from oil and gas is going to be horrendous.”
—Rep. Alan Lowenthal, E&E News ([link removed])
Picture this


** @usfws ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------
On today’s virtual field trip, @USFWS ([link removed]) biologist Alison Williams takes us up north to a wildlife refuge that provides a vital haven between the Bering Sea and the North Pacific Ocean. Izembek Refuge: Unangax̂ homeland, globally important bird area, wetland of international importance, migration hot spot, and critical habitat for vulnerable and imperiled species. At the heart of the refuge is Izembek Lagoon, with one of the largest eelgrass beds in the world.

📷 Izembek Refuge mountains by Alison Williams/USFWS

============================================================
** Twitter ([link removed])
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Medium ([link removed])
** Instagram ([link removed])
Copyright © 2022 Center for Western Priorities, All rights reserved.
You've signed up to receive Look West updates.

Center for Western Priorities
1999 Broadway
Suite 520
Denver, CO 80202
USA
** View this on the web ([link removed])

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])