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


** More strings attached to climate bill
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Tuesday, August 2, 2022
West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin; Third Way Think Tank, Flickr ([link removed])

Senator Joe Manchin reportedly reached an agreement with Democratic leaders ([link removed]) to advance legislation that would expedite the process for approving new energy projects and allow the Mountain Valley Pipeline in West Virginia ([link removed]) to move forward. This side deal was agreed to in exchange for Senator Manchin's surprise support of the Senate's climate, energy, and healthcare package last week.

These changes to the energy permitting process would occur via legislation separate from the Inflation Reduction Act ([link removed]) and would not qualify for the Senate budget procedure, making it impossible to approve a simple majority. The new agreement will need 60 votes to be approved and therefore requires Democratic and Republican support in order to pass.

According to a one-page summary ([link removed]) , the new legislation would set new two-year maximum limits for environmental reviews for major projects and would expedite the approval process for energy projects by centralizing decision-making within one agency. It would also m ([link removed]) ake it more difficult ([link removed]) to challenge energy projects under the National Environmental Policy Act and would give the Department of Energy more authority to approve electric transmission lines.

The additional legislation is likely to face opposition from environmental groups and Democrats like Representative Raúl Grijalva, the chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources, who said he’s worried that ([link removed]) “comprehensive permitting reform” is a euphemism for gutting foundational environmental and public health protections like the National Environmental Policy Act.
Quick hits


** Democrats’ side deal with Manchin could speed up energy projects
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Washington Post ([link removed]) | New York Times ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed]) | Politico ([link removed])


** Kyrsten Sinema still hasn’t made a decision on Democrats’ climate and tax bill
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Deseret News ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])


** Proposed quarry looks to mine fracking sand near Dinosaur
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Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed])


** Public lands offer free entry on August 4 to celebrate the Great American Outdoors Act Anniversary
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Sierra Sun Times ([link removed])


** Why does the American West have so many wildfires?
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New York Times ([link removed])


** Despite universal public support, Nebraska Governor fights conservation goal
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Harvest Public Media ([link removed])


** Flash floods close roads into Death Valley National Park
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Associated Press ([link removed]) | Los Angeles Times ([link removed])


** People who want to visit the world's tallest living tree now risk a $5,000 fine
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National Public Radio ([link removed]) | New York Times ([link removed])
Quote of the day
” It's the most unimpressive tree you’ll ever see. I’ve worked at this park for 33 years now, I’ve seen most of the old growth in this park, and this particular tree is not that impressive at the base. It’s just really tall.”
—Leonel Arguello, Park Resource Manager at Redwoods National Park, talking about the world's tallest tree, New York Times ([link removed])
Picture this


** @USFWSRefuges ([link removed])
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CAPTION CALL! A great horned owl at Julia Butler Hansen National Wildlife Refuge for the Columbian White-Tailed Deer (WA and OR) could use a clever caption. Got one? We’ll name our favorite tomorrow.
📷Jake Bonello/@USFWS ([link removed])

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