Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** Senate holds up confirmation of key Interior Department official
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Tuesday, December 13, 2022
Laura Daniel-Davis, nominee to be Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land and Minerals Management, testifying in a Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources hearing; YouTube screenshot ([link removed])
The U.S. Senate seems to be singling out and obstructing qualified women nominated to leadership positions in the U.S. Department of the Interior, writes Center for Western Priorities Executive Director Jennifer Rokala ([link removed]) . The Senate committee tasked with advancing these nominations to the full chamber, chaired by Senator Joe Manchin, has taken nearly a full month longer ([link removed]) on average to vote on female nominees than male nominees.
From Interior Secretary Deb Haaland to Bureau of Land Management Director Tracy Stone-Manning to Laura Daniel-Davis—who was nominated to be Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land and Minerals Management in 2021—women nominated for leadership positions in the Interior Department have faced intense scrutiny and undue delays by male members of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee throughout their confirmation processes. Daniel-Davis, who is still not confirmed, was asked to appear twice before the committee ([link removed]) over the past year and a half—a highly unusual occurrence.
The Interior Department is the steward of our public lands, water, wildlife, and natural resources. It is also a leader in promoting our country’s clean energy future, as the agency charged with permitting large-scale onshore clean energy and offshore wind development. The position of Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land and Minerals Management oversees almost all of this development, making it a central role ([link removed]) in realizing Biden’s ambitious climate and clean-energy goals.
Over 100 women who have worked with Daniel-Davis ([link removed]) throughout her career are calling on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to bring her nomination up for a vote in the Senate before the end of the year, when her nomination is set to expire. ([link removed]) Schumer has so far prioritized the confirmation ([link removed]) of judicial nominees.
“It is not an exaggeration to suggest that leaving this position vacant puts the commitments agreed to in the IRA at risk, not to mention the president’s clean energy and climate goals,” the letter states. ([link removed])
Quick hits
** Colorado proposes to move as many as 50 wolves into the state over the next five years
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KUNC ([link removed])
** Animals are running out of places to live
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New York Times ([link removed])
** Advocates call on Senate to confirm Laura Daniel-Davis
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Washington Post ([link removed]) | The Hill ([link removed]) [opinion] | E&E News ([link removed])
** Opinion: Glenwood Springs and Carbondale—unified for the Thompson Divide
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Glenwood Springs Post Independent ([link removed])
** Beloved Los Angeles mountain lion captured after attacking dogs
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Los Angeles Times ([link removed])
** The ‘power of aridity’ is bringing Glen Canyon Dam to its knees
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KUNC ([link removed])
** Opinion: Untangling the problem of inaccessible public lands
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Casper Star-Tribune ([link removed])
** The time is right to ban uranium mining in the Grand Canyon. But the Senate needs to hurry.
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Grist ([link removed])
Quote of the day
” A monument designation for Avi Kwa Ame... allows us to fight climate change through conservation, protect critical wildlife habitat and species that depend on it, support local economies and quality of life, and, above all, honor Indigenous culture and history. At last month’s summit, Biden promised “respect” to Indigenous people and tribal nations — respect for tribal sovereignty, respect for tribal consultation in federal decision-making, and respect for Indigenous knowledge. The designation of this monument would be a tremendous example of fulfilling that promise.”
—Timothy Williams ([link removed]) , Chairman of the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe of Nevada, Arizona and California
Picture this
** @BryceCanyonNPS ([link removed])
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⚠️ Current Conditions ~9.5 in. of new snow last night. 14 in. now on the ground in the Bryce Amphitheater area. Main Road open to Mile 3 of 18 as plow crews focus on the Bryce Amphitheater area. Roads and walkways potentially icy. [link removed]… ([link removed]) 📸 NPS Brian Warner
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