Oil and gas boosters seized on the Russian invasion of Ukraine yesterday to push their energy dominance agenda and call for more oil and gas production on public lands. Companies want to increase exports of liquified natural gas to Europe, which currently imports the gas from Russia.
But their plan ignores the obvious long-term solution: rather than increase global dependence on a fossil fuel that contributes to climate change, and is transported across the world via ships that further pollute and exacerbate the climate crisis, the world—and Europe especially—must accelerate the transition to renewable energy.
Thankfully, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen agrees. “We are doubling down on renewables. This will increase Europe’s strategic independence on energy,” she said. The new EU energy plan will be unveiled next week and is expected to call for a 40 percent reduction in fossil fuel use by the end of the decade. The plans will also speed up permitting of renewable energy projects, which already account for the plurality of electricity usage in Europe.
This reveals the oil industry’s calls to increase drilling on American public lands and cut corners on drilling permits for what they are: profiteering off Russia’s war. It takes years for new leases to begin to produce oil and gas. By the time any new production comes online, Europe will be even further down its exceptionally prudent path to eliminate its dependence on American methane.
Quick hits
Rocky Mountain states team up to promote hydrogen as a “clean” fuel
Associated Press | Oil City News
Oil and gas leasing hurts public lands—even if leases are never drilled
Defense Department launches three base-adjacent conservation projects
American oil companies are trying to profit off Russian aggression
Pipeline proposed to move water to Colorado’s Front Range from San Luis Valley
Why some Navajo tribal members oppose helium extraction
Minimal water deliveries announced for California’s Central Valley
500-pound bear burglar in California exonerated with DNA
Quote of the day
With all of the divisions going on, looking up to the night sky connects us to the biggest mystery in our world and helps us get in touch with the fact that we are all humans on spaceship earth.”
—Bettymaya Foott, director of engagement for International Dark Sky Association, New York Times
Picture this
This morning, we’re thinking about the beauty and resilience of our blue and golden yellow wildflowers. 💙💛
(featured image: Liquified natural gas tankers at the Sabine Pass export terminal, Wikimedia Commons)