A federal judge on Monday
A coalition of 17 state attorneys general sued, saying Trump’s order jeopardizes local economies and public health. Government lawyers argued that the day-one executive order was merely a “pause” on new permitting that allowed Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to review wind projects.
Justice department attorneys “candidly concede that the sole factor they considered in deciding to stop issuing permits was the President’s direction to do so,” Saris wrote.
It’s not clear whether the ruling will have a significant impact on future wind projects, however. The New York Times points out that courts generally can’t compel federal agencies to approve new projects.
The dirty truth about oil and gas drilling in New Mexico
In the latest episode of CWP’s podcast, The Landscape, Kate and Aaron are joined by filmmaker Annie Ersinghaus, rancher Don Schreiber, and Gail Evans, an attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity, to talk about the impact poorly regulated oil and gas extraction has on New Mexico’s environment. Gail and Don appear in Annie’s new film, The Land of Sacrifice: The Burden of New Mexico’s Oil and Gas Extraction. Listen now or subscribe on Apple Podcasts.
Quick hits
Lawsuit tries to stop Wyoming man from hunting on public land on the way to his cabin
Ski film ‘Inaccessible’ looks at public land access from a skier’s perspective
Senators probe Burgum’s $70k hiring bonus for U.S. Park Police
Government Executive | Washington Post | E&E News
How federal grazing permits benefit the wealthiest ranchers
Water across the West is at risk as Trump targets national monuments
Forest Service looks to public land, local tax dollars to build workforce housing
Conservation groups sound alarm on BLM nominee with long land sell-off record
Nevada Current | Northern Rockies News Service
In a Colorado town built on coal, families are moving on to clean energy
Quote of the day
Maybe we’ll never go back to coal. We haven’t (gone) back to oil and gas, so we might just be geothermal people for quite some time, maybe generations, and then eventually something else will come along.”
—Matt Cooper, business owner in Craig, Colorado, Associated Press
Picture This
Who says a trip to the vault toilet can’t be a little inspiring? 😁
This fall in Montana, we teamed up with artist Rilie Zumbrennen to add eye-catching murals to the restrooms at Sundance Lodge Recreation Area and Shepherd Ah-Nei Recreation Area. Each mural celebrates the wildlife, scenery, and outdoor fun that make these spots worth a visit before you even hit the trail.
We’re excited to keep this colorful partnership going and bring more creativity to unexpected places.
📸Alex Nancarrow