National

Confirmation would add little to Pendley's job description. “Senate approval of William Perry Pendley, President Trump's nominee to lead the Bureau of Land Management, wouldn't affect the agency's daily operations in any significant manner, legal experts and former senior bureau officials say. Confirmation would allow the conservative lawyer to take an active role in policy decisions. But technically, there's little Pendley would do as the permanent BLM director that he is not already doing as the de facto acting director and deputy director of policy and programs. An updated legal complaint filed this week against the Interior Department noted several examples where Pendley is already involved in hiring and managing the day-to-day activities of staff.” [E&E News, 7/8/20 (=)]

Alaska at center of Trump administration’s drive to drill public lands during pandemic. “But in the midst of the crisis, as the tribal government frantically moved to obtain medical supplies and shut down non-essential services, residents learned their community was being asked to confront yet another challenge -- the federal government's controversial plan to massively expand oil and gas drilling in the area.” [Yahoo, 7/9/20 (=)]

Nev. Democrats step up demands to protect wildlife refuge. “The three Democrats in Nevada's four-member House delegation are pleading with committee chairs to reverse a controversial amendment they say would threaten 840,000 acres of federally protected land in their state. Reps. Dina Titus, Susie Lee and Steven Horsford want to undo the adoption of an amendment from last week's markup of the fiscal 2021 National Defense Authorization Act in the House Armed Services Committee, H.R. 6395, relating to control of Nevada's Desert National Wildlife Refuge, which is home to desert bighorn sheep and endangered Mojave desert tortoises (E&E Daily, July 2).” [E&E News, 7/9/20 (=)]

Dakota Access NEPA ruling may end 'build first' strategy. “This week's court-ordered shutdown of the controversial Dakota Access pipeline serves as a stark warning to federal agencies and project developers to thoroughly investigate environmental risks of projects ahead of construction, legal experts say. Judge James Boasberg for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled Monday that the 1,172-mile crude oil pipeline had to be shut down and emptied of oil by Aug. 5.” [E&E News, 7/9/20 (=)]

State and Local

Will S.C. Democrat ride offshore drilling to victory again? “Opposition to offshore drilling is one of the main reasons freshman Rep. Joe Cunningham (D) flipped South Carolina's 1st District from red to blue in 2018. But this time around, it may not be enough to help carry him over the finish line in one of November's most closely watched congressional races.” [E&E News, 7/9/20 (=)]

Oglala Sioux Tribe temporarily locks down South Dakota reservation to fight coronavirus. “The Oglala Sioux Tribe has locked down its South Dakota reservation for a 72-hour period as a protective measure against the coronavirus. Tribal President Julian Bear Runner has barred nonessential travel on or off the reservation, and all employees of the tribe except for emergency personnel have been placed on administrative leave.” [The Hill, 7/8/20 (=)]

Wyo. approves its first new mine in decades. “Wyoming regulators yesterday approved a bid to develop the first new coal mine in the state in nearly 40 years. Coal technology company Ramaco Carbon LLC initially applied for a permit to mine a site about 8 miles northwest of Sheridan in 2014. The application faced fierce pushback from neighbors who worried the Brook mine could deplete water resources, harm their health, and cause property damage from blasting and sinkholes.” [E&E News, 7/8/20 (=)]

Op-Ed, Editorial, and Analysis

Op-Ed: Addressing New Mexico's abandoned oil and gas wells more urgent during COVID-19. “Putting people to work right now to address the economic and environmental challenges resulting from the global economic situation is a bipartisan issue. Acting now would put hundreds of oil and gas employees back to work, protect our environment, and boost local economies.” [Carlsbad Current Argus, 7/7/20 (+)]

Op-Ed: Investment in the outdoors can bring jobs, health, conservation. “Amid the worst health and economic crisis of our lifetime, a public-lands stimulus package that puts young people back to work is a legacy we hope legislators are inspired to create and embrace.” [San Francisco Chronicle, 7/8/20 (+)]