Carlsbad residents are experiencing health impacts, but the science behind their woes lags behind the pace of drilling.
Energy & Industry
Posted inMay 27, 2019: Public Pushback
Will the Trump administration boost uranium?
Energy industry lobbying could lead to more mining from Bears Ears to Wyoming.
Posted inArticles
Interior secretary blames Congress for his inaction on climate change
There’s no law to make him address the climate and biodiversity crises, David Bernhardt said: ‘You guys come up with the shalls.’
Posted inArticles
5 reasons to keep geotagging
Public lands face far greater threats than recreational overuse.
Posted inArticles
Judge orders industries to pay royalties for public land extraction
Tens of millions more dollars will flow into Western communities after a federal court throws out the Trump administration’s industry-friendly deal.
Posted inMay 27, 2019: Public Pushback
Trump’s infrastructure order threatens local right to protect the environment
Washington blocked a coal terminal under the Clean Water Act. New rules could subvert that authority.
Posted inArticles
Trump administration rubber stamps Arizona copper mine
An industry-friendly ruling contradicts years of concerns over potential damage to endangered species, water systems and Native American cultural sites.
Posted inMay 27, 2019: Public Pushback
Climate cases set the stage for oil and gas leasing reform
The decisions could curb greenhouse gas emissions from public lands.
Posted inArticles
A silver lining to sage grouse rollbacks?
While there’s less protection overall, a few Western states restore regulations that match or surpass original plans.
Posted inApril 29, 2019: A History of Violence
Can the tools of capitalism curb climate change?
Investors are pushing companies to reckon with their environmental impacts.
Posted inArticles
Oil industry leaders marvel at their access to Interior
‘We have unprecedented access to people that are in these positions who are trying to help us, which is great.’
Posted inApril 29, 2019: A History of Violence
New Mexico’s ‘mini’ Green New Deal, dissected
The Energy Transition Act could be a model for ambitious policies of the future.
Posted inApril 29, 2019: A History of Violence
As oil trains roll into Portland, city residents keep watch
Without state oversight, activists step up to monitor the traffic in their own backyards.
Posted inArticles
South Dakota pushes bills to prosecute ‘riot-boosting’ ahead of pipeline construction
The bills would allow the state to sue protesters — and their supporters — and use the money for pipeline-related costs.
Posted inArticles
Wyoming Legislature extends lifeline to coal power
As economics challenge coal’s future, Wyoming passes a law to prop it up.
Posted inMarch 18, 2019: Arizona's Wild Horse Paradox
‘Things are not going to get better for a long time’
PG&E’s bankruptcy complicates an already difficult recovery for Camp Fire survivors.
Posted inArticles
Push for renewables vexes Western power supplier
Tri-State’s future looks less than bright unless it can keep up with the times.
Posted inMarch 4, 2019: El Nuevo Movimiento
‘A dangerous game of chicken’ on drilling near Chaco Canyon
Feds go back and forth on leasing culturally important lands.
Posted inMarch 4, 2019: El Nuevo Movimiento
New bill leaves lands protected, lawmaking neglected
A bipartisan public lands bill punts on overhauling environmental policies.
Posted inMarch 4, 2019: El Nuevo Movimiento
Get to know the Green New Deal, by the numbers
The plan would boost the U.S. economy and eliminate fossil fuel use in ten years.