Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** What the election results could mean for public lands, climate change
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Thursday, November 10, 2022
President Biden calls to congratulate winners on election night while wearing a Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument hat. Source: @POTUS ([link removed])
As states across the country continue to tally votes to determine the outcome of Tuesday's midterm elections, the implementation of the recently passed climate and infrastructure laws hangs in the balance ([link removed]) . Whichever party ultimately controls Congress will influence how money from the historic clean energy investments included as part of the Inflation Reduction Act flows to key energy and climate programs.
Additionally, congressional Republicans have promised aggressive oversight of the Biden administration ([link removed]) , which will likely include numerous invitations for Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and other members of the cabinet to testify before congressional committees. Investigations into infrastructure and climate spending, infrastructure permitting and environmental reviews, and energy policies are also promised. A Republican majority in the Senate could impact the confirmation process ([link removed]) for President Biden’s judicial nominees and political appointments in agencies, perhaps significantly delaying progress toward confirmation.
President Biden appears to have embraced the fact that conservation is a winning issue in the West—he wore a Camp Hale-Continental Divide ball cap while calling candidates to congratulate them on their victories ([link removed]) . President Biden designated Camp Hale-Continental Divide as his first national monument last month at a proclamation signing ceremony in Colorado.
Data from the Center for Western Priorities and the Center for American Progress show that conservation actions get favorable coverage in the press and are largely supported by voters on both sides of the aisle. ([link removed]) Regardless of the ultimate outcome of the midterms, the president has the authority and the imperative to designate more national monuments in order to reach the administration's America the Beautiful ([link removed]) goal of protecting 30 percent of America's lands and waters by 2030.
** Outdoor recreation industry spending rebounds in 2021
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Not only did record numbers of visitors flock to public lands last year, spending on outdoor recreation gear surpassed pre-pandemic records according to the latest federal data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis ([link removed]) . This is welcome news for the industry after spending on outdoor recreation goods and services dropped in 2020, even though visitation to public lands skyrocketed during the pandemic. The Bureau of Economic Analysis data show that the industry's economic output in 2021 spiked to a record $862 billion,and accounted for about 1.9 percent of the nation's economy ([link removed]) .
Jessica Turner, president of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, says, ([link removed]) "The BEA data underscores how important it is to invest in public lands, waters and recreation infrastructure from coast to coast and for recreation activities of all types. From the creation of jobs and increased profit for small businesses in local economies to larger boons to our national economy, this sector is a consistent driver, even in times of economic uncertainty."
Quick hits
** Bighorn-lovers butt heads with Vail Resorts' affordable housing
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High Country News ([link removed])
** Yellowstone reopens major roadway months after devastating floods
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NPR ([link removed])
** Outdoor recreation industry spending rebounds in 2021
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Bloomberg Law ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed]) | BEA data ([link removed])
** Oil and gas drilling plan OK'd in area also sited for 12,500 new homes
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Colorado Sun ([link removed])
** What the election results could mean for climate, energy, and public lands
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Los Angeles Times ([link removed]) | Vox [state climate races ([link removed]) ] | E&E News [energy ([link removed]) ] | E&E News [climate ([link removed]) ] | E&E News [oversight ([link removed]) ]
** Forest service advances land swap proposal in Montana's Crazy Mountains
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Bozeman Daily Chronicle ([link removed]) | Billings Gazette ([link removed])
** U.S. launches carbon offset program to help developing countries speed clean energy transition
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CNBC ([link removed])
** A traveler's guide to America's federal lands
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National Geographic ([link removed])
Quote of the day
” The checkerboard pattern of alternating private and public lands makes the Crazy Mountains a vulnerable landscape to development in our growing corner of southwest Montana, so consolidating checkerboard public land is imperative to achieving long term conservation.”
—Erica Lighthiser, Park County Environmental Council, Bozeman Daily Chronicle ([link removed])
Picture this
** @Interior ([link removed])
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Interior is proud to offer this lifetime pass to demonstrate our immense gratitude and respect for those who have served and defended our country. [link removed] ([link removed])
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