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BLM
to release draft EIS on Powder River methane wells.
The BLM's draft report on the potential effect of methane drilling
in the Powder River Basin is expected tomorrow, and the agency proposes
no changes in drilling techniques in one of the nation's most coveted
new sources of natural gas.
Billings Gazette (AP);
Jan. 10
- Conservationists,
industry vie for Wyoming desert.
Wyoming's Jack Morrow Hills are a world-class landscape and part
of the nation's future source of gas and oil. It's been proposed
as a national park and national monument, and the BLM agreed last
September to take another look.
Billings Gazette (AP); Jan. 10
- Basin
could see 139,000 wells someday soon.
BLM officials estimate that as many as 139,000 coalbed methane
wells could eventually blanket the Powder River Basin. An overview
and more perspective.
Grist Magazine; Jan. 9
Idaho
governor outlines grim budget.
Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne would cut $100 million from the state budget,
exempting only prisons, Medicaid and veterans services, and using
half the "rainy day fund" to offset cuts in education.
Idaho Statesman;
Jan. 10
-
See a related editorial in our Opinion
section.
Racicot
agrees with critics that he should stop lobbying.
Former Montana Gov. Marc Racicot said he'll stop lobbying on behalf
of his Washington firm's law clients if he's elected chairman of the
Republican National Committee.
Washington Post; Jan. 10
Congressman
wielded power well beyond Utah's size.
Utah will lose a great deal of influence over national affairs when
Rep. Jim Hansen retires after 22 years in Congress, and everyone except
environmentalists will be sorry to see him go.
Salt Lake Tribune; Jan. 10
Idaho
governor's budget heavy on optimism.
Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne's budget assumes a 4.3 percent increase
in revenue, an end to the recession, and Medicaid cost savings without
closing anyone out of the program, all elements of undue optimism.
Idaho Statesman; Jan. 10
Montana
congressman seeks consensus on endangered species.
Montana Congressman Denny Rehberg is part of a panel trying to find
elements of the Endangered Species Act that all sides can agree on
-- a good theory and a good start.
Great Falls Tribune; Jan. 10
Report
says Missouri River threatened without natural flows.
A new study by the National Research Council that unless the Missouri
River is returned to a more natural flow regime, its ecosystem will
be irreversibly damaged and some species will become extinct.
Great Falls Tribune (AP); Jan. 10
EPA
official says World Trade Center dust as lethal as Libby's.
A veteran EPA chemist says the asbestos levels in dust from the destruction
of the World Trade Center is as dangerous as the dust in Libby, Mont.,
which the agency deemed an "imminent and substantial" risk.
Spokesman-Review; Jan. 10
EPA
ombudsman examines agency's moves on toxic gases.
The EPA ombudsman's office has launched an investigation into why
agency officials relied on bad information to call off audits of the
risk from toxic gases leaking from Superfund sites and why the agency
relies on an admittedly poor computer model to gauge risks to homeowners.
Denver Post; Jan. 9
- Colorado
one of the best for protecting residents from fumes.
Colorado has become a leader for finding and cleaning up toxic
gases inside residential homes, mainly because state officials
have been tougher than the EPA.
Denver Post; Jan. 8
- EPA's
computer model suspect.
The computer model the EPA uses to decide whether homes are dangerously
contaminated with industrial solvent fumes seriously underestimated
the risk in one Denver-area home and probably in hundreds of cases
across the country.
Denver Post; Jan. 7
- Agency
ignored threat of toxic gases.
More than 4,900 people in a five-state area suffered cancer, strokes,
anemia and other health problems at rates two or three times the
national average because of toxic fumes leaking into their homes,
and the EPA did little to warn them.
Denver Post; Jan. 5
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