** Utah oil and gas regulators seek legal change after scathing audit
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Thursday, December 5, 2019
Oil and gas drilling in Utah, Bureau of Land Management ([link removed])
A few weeks ago, an audit ([link removed]) of Utah's oil and gas program found significant and wide-ranging problems with inspections and enforcement, with the agency not issuing a single fine for the past 24 years ([link removed]) . As of June, there were 105 unresolved issues in the state. Now, regulators are asking ([link removed]) for a legal change so that they can more easily issue fines for violations. They are pushing for a bill in the Utah legislature that would allow the division to issue and collect fines directly.
In Utah, the law requires the Board of Oil, Gas, and Mining to get a court order ([link removed]) before fining companies. This process differs from surrounding states ([link removed]) , which either do not require a court order or are in the process of disposing of the requirement. However, lawmakers are maintaining that regulators already have the ability to issue fines effectively, and the problem is the culture of lax enforcement within the division. Rep. Brian King states ([link removed]) that regulators "have a lot of tools—there are a lot of things they could be doing that they don’t do... They haven't even tried."
** Wyoming coal's decline threatens state funding
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In Wyoming, coal is being crowded out ([link removed]) by cheaper energy sources such as natural gas and renewables. The state relies heavily on revenue from coal, especially for education funds. Payments to the state from coal mined on federal land have dropped from $239 million in 2013 to $0 ([link removed]) , and likely will not recover.
Quick hits
** Wyoming's coal-fired economy is coming to an end
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High Country News ([link removed])
** Trump administration accused of ignoring public input through its revamp of land councils
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Oregon Public Broadcasting ([link removed])
** Utah lawmakers, regulators at odds over oil and gas fines
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Bloomberg Environment ([link removed])
** Lawmakers worry moving BLM could result in lawsuits, lack of diversity
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The Hill ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])
** Wildlife refuge or military bombing range? Congress to decide fate of federal land in Nevada
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Wyoming Public Media ([link removed])
** Florida senator places hold on Deputy Interior Secretary nominee over offshore drilling concerns
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Reuters ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])
** BLM to study contested corridor in conservation area
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E&E News ([link removed])
** Opinion: An acting director and a permanent move
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Morning Consult ([link removed])
Quote of the day
Almost three years into the Trump administration and I think there’s a strong trend of ignoring public input in land management decisions... It's a massive change. [The old charters] didn’t have any of this language about implementing Trump administration executive orders and so forth. And so now it seems like they want to turn these into a rubber stamp instead of a local advisory group.”
—Jesse Prentice-Dunn, Center for Western Priorities Policy Director, on changes to Resource Advisory Councils, Oregon Public Broadcasting ([link removed])
Picture this
** @amprog ([link removed])
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To put a stop to the nature crisis, scientists recommend a commitment to protecting 30% of lands and oceans by 2030. Now is the time to act. Learn more about tackling the nature crisis. Video: [link removed]
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