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


** What the Senate climate deal could mean for public lands
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Wednesday, August 3, 2022
Drilling on BLM land in Wyoming, BLM ([link removed]) Wyoming ([link removed])

A new post from the Center for Western Priorities ([link removed]) breaks down what the Inflation Reduction Act ([link removed]) would mean for the oil and gas leasing system on public lands, what the challenges are for the bill to pass, and how President Biden could act on climate if it doesn't. The bill makes unprecedented investments in fighting climate change ([link removed]) as well as major reforms to the federal onshore oil and gas leasing program ([link removed]) , though it also includes some counterproductive measures ([link removed]) that would lock in years of new leasing on public lands.

With Manchin’s support, the question is whether or not Schumer can get the bill to President Biden’s desk before the Senate’s recess ([link removed]) beginning August 8. First, the non-partisan parliamentarian will decide how much of the bill is budget-related ([link removed]) and can move through the reconciliation process. Then, the 50-50 vote will require every Democrat to be present, which could be challenging given at least one Democrat currently has COVID-19 ([link removed]) , another is recovering from a broken hip ([link removed]) , and Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema has not announced whether or not she’ll support
([link removed]) the bill. After passing the Senate, the bill has to pass in the House, where progressive Democrats could find fault with the bill ([link removed]) , though some progressives have indicated ([link removed]) they'll support it.

If the bill defies the odds and becomes law, the Interior Department will find itself facing a daunting task: implementing a massive overhaul of the hundred-year-old oil and gas leasing system. The requirements of the bill, ranging from the new fee on nominating parcels for leasing, to paying royalties on wasted methane, to updated bonding requirements for drillers, will require rulemakings and instructional memoranda across the Interior Department. This process could take months or even years.

Whether or not the bill passes, President Biden will need to take action if he wants to reach his own goal ([link removed]) of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50 to 52 percent by 2030. To start, he could announce a climate emergency, which would signal to the world ([link removed]) that the U.S. is taking climate change seriously as well as give Biden extra power ([link removed]) to do things like end oil exports and require companies to manufacture more clean energy infrastructure.
Quick hits


** Federal government suspends new drilling and fracking leases on public lands in Central California
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Los Angeles Times ([link removed]) | Associated Press ([link removed]) | Center Square ([link removed])


** Feds set rules for fossil hounds collecting on Department of Interior lands
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E&E News ([link removed]) | National Parks Traveler ([link removed])


** California’s megadrought is worse than you think
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E&E News ([link removed])


** The fires below: how wildfires are sparked by burning coal seams
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High Country News ([link removed])


** Colorado shuts down “illegal” mining operation upstream from drinking water sources
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Colorado Sun ([link removed])


** BLM agrees to reconsider grazing at sensitive Arizona site
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E&E News ([link removed])


** Opinion: The world is ablaze and the oil industry just posted record profits. It’s us or them
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The Guardian ([link removed])


** Opinion: What big oil knew about climate change — in its own words
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Daily Montanan ([link removed])
Quote of the day
” Protecting public lands is not only a step forward, but also a way to prevent several steps back. Using public lands to prop up the oil industry is dangerous to our green spaces and communities. We must protect our public lands not only for us to enjoy, but for us to protect Earth.”
— Cesar Aguirre, senior organizer with the Central California Environmental Justice Network, L ([link removed]) os Angeles Times ([link removed])
Picture this

[link removed]


** @NatlParkService ([link removed])
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'Til the ‘lambslide’ brought me down…⁣Time will make them bolder, as they get older. We’re all getting older too. Image: A bighorn sheep ewe is standing with three lambs on slanted terrain at @yellowstonenps ([link removed]) .
NPS/Frank⁣

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