National

 

Trump’s Fish and Wildlife pick under scrutiny for previous work for Monsanto. “Donald Trump’s nominee to handle endangered species, whose experience and political ties have been questioned by environment experts, came under scrutiny from Senate Democrats on Wednesday for potential conflicts of interest. Aurelia Skipwith, the interior department’s deputy assistant secretary of fish, wildlife and parks, previously worked for the agrochemical giant Monsanto, as well as another agriculture business and her fiance’s consulting firm, Gage International.” [The Guardian, 9/11/19 (+)]

House approves two bills to block Trump drilling. “The House on Wednesday approved two bills that offer sweeping protections to the nation’s coastlines, permanently blocking offshore drilling on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and part of the Gulf of Mexico. Another vote on legislation to block drilling in the Atlantic is set for Thursday as House Democrats seek to advance their environmental agenda. ” [The Hill, 9/11/19 (=)]

 

House GOP rolls out energy proposal to counter Democrats offshore drilling ban. “House Republicans on Wednesday rolled out an energy bill that’s a direct counter to a push by Democrats to ban offshore drilling. The American Energy First Act, introduced by six GOP lawmakers, is labeled as an “all-of-the-above” energy approach that doubles down on the country’s need for onshore and offshore leasing of public lands for drilling royalties.” [The Hill, 9/11/19 (=)]

Rep. Cheney-backed bill aims to increase state control of public lands drilling. “Though the bill faces a long road in the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives, Republicans on the bill said the legislation will increase U.S. energy independence and spur economic development in energy-producing states, all while reducing the permitting burden for renewable energy sources like geothermal and offshore wind — an olive branch to House Democrats looking for a commitment to fight climate change. It is unclear if or when the bill will be brought to the floor.” [Casper Star Tribune, 9/11/19 (=)]

 

Colorado's congressional delegation advocates for move of BLM headquarters to Grand Junction. “A western Colorado economic leader tried to convince a congressional committee Tuesday that moving the Bureau of Land Management headquarters to Grand Junction would help resolve an “urban rural divide” over public land policies. “The idea that (Bureau of Land Management) leadership shouldn’t be influenced by the communities that live, work and play on our public lands is misguided,” said Robin Brown, executive director of the Grand Junction Economic Partnership.” [Colorado Springs Gazette, 9/11/19 (=)]

Op-Ed, Editorial, and Analysis

Op-Ed: Trump wants to spoil Alaska’s pristine environment. We can’t let it happen. “What will future generations make of this moment in time? In just the past two months, we have seen massive flooding in the Midwest and Southeast, a supercharged hurricane raze islands in the Bahamas and massive fires tear through the Amazon. We experienced the hottest month ever recorded on Earth. History will note that Trump didn’t merely fiddle while the planet burned but tried to throw the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and Alaska’s old-growth forests into the flames. We must not let him.” [Washington Post, 9/11/19 (+)]

Op-Ed: It’s time for Congress to finally protect our oceans from offshore drilling. “I’m hopeful that capitalism, science and respect for nature can find common ground, pass these critical pieces of legislation and prove that we’ve truly learned from the past horrors of offshore drilling disasters. Perhaps our shared and beloved oceans will finally turn our political conversations purple.” [Washington Post, 9/11/19 (+)]

Op-Ed: Unlocking Arctic Energy Is Vital for Alaska—and America. “We understand that Alaska has earned an almost mythological place in the minds of many Americans. But we cannot be treated like a snow globe, to be placed on the shelf for viewing pleasure only. Alaska has tens of millions of acres of national parks, wildlife refuges and federal wilderness. We also have room for the responsible development of a small part of the 1002 Area, and all Americans should recognize this is in our nation’s best interest.” [Wall Street Journal, 9/11/19 (-)]