Meanwhile, Biden is missing an opportunity to make good on a widely-supported commitment to protect Avi Kwa Ame during his visit to Las Vegas today.

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


** Biden green-lights 'carbon bomb' in Alaska
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Tuesday, March 14, 2023
National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, Bob Wick/Bureau of Land Management ([link removed])

On Monday, the Biden administration announced ([link removed]) its approval of ConocoPhillips’ Willow oil and gas project in Alaska, a “carbon bomb” that is projected to produce up to 287 million metric tons of carbon dioxide over the next 30 years. While the administration also announced a proposed rulemaking ([link removed]) to end future oil and gas lease sales in parts of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A), this rulemaking does not affect the Willow project, where ConocoPhillips already holds leases.

“With today’s decision, President Biden has dug himself a massive hole when it comes to public lands and the energy transition,” Center for Western Priorities Executive Director Jennifer Rokala said in a statement ([link removed]) . “If the Biden administration is serious about their commitments to address the climate and nature crises, it’s imperative that the president double down on durable, meaningful action.”

Meanwhile, Biden is missing an opportunity ([link removed]) to make good on a widely-supported commitment to protect Avi Kwa Ame in southern Nevada during his visit to Las Vegas today for a fundraising event. Scheduling challenges ([link removed]) are being offered as the reason it has taken over 100 days for the president to honor his commitment to Tribes with what would be the largest new land conservation action of his presidency so far.
Quick hits


** Biden approves Willow oil and gas project
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New York Times ([link removed]) | Washington Post ([link removed]) | Associated Press ([link removed]) | Grist ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])


** Utah, Wyoming lag in public land conservation
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KUNR ([link removed])


** Utah coal company agrees to use social cost of carbon in environmental analysis
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E&E News ([link removed])


** Bill introduced to designate Chiricahua National Monument as a national park
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The Center Square ([link removed]) | KJZZ ([link removed])


** Unique deal will conserve Yellowstone River islands
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Billings Gazette ([link removed])


** Tribe-state joint ranch purchase will preserve wildlife corridor
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Spokane Public Radio ([link removed])


** Arizona rancher takes an old approach to growing crops on the Gila River
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Arizona Republic ([link removed])


** Bringing co-stewardship to Wyoming's Red Desert
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High Country News ([link removed])
Quote of the day
” To salvage a conservation legacy commensurate with his commitments, the president must use his executive authority to offset the damage from Willow. If he hopes to reach his goal of protecting 30 percent of America’s lands and waters by 2030, he will need every tool available, including the Antiquities Act, to protect public lands.”
—Jennifer Rokala, Executive Director, Center for Western Priorities ([link removed])
Picture this


** @petrifiedforestnps ([link removed])
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When you visit a National Park, you probably go out looking for the most palatial picture spots, the most outstanding outlooks, the most stupefying sights!

We would like to challenge you to most definitely do that - but also go looking for the less obviously ostentatious photo ops in our National Parks. What micro-beauty have you recently witnessed in our public lands?

RMM/NPS Photo Becca Miller

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