In the Rockies today, an Idaho senator is all smiles about his wilderness legislation, while a Utah senator admits no one is entirely thrilled with his wilderness bill.
Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo has worked for more than a decade on his Owyhee Initiative, and after a hearing Tuesday before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources subcommittee, he said he was optimistic that this could be the year Idaho gets a new wilderness area.
If the Owyhee Public Land Management Act of 2008 passes through Congress, 517,000 acres of land in southwest Idaho would be designated as wilderness, and would release more than 200,000 acres of wilderness study areas in the state back for multiple-use.
The Senate subcommittee also heard testimony on Tuesday from proponents and opponents of The Washington County Growth and Conservation Act of 2008 submitted by Utah Sen. Bob Bennett.
While the testimony offered in favor of the Utah bill, which would designate 265,000 acres of federal land in Washington County as wilderness, was more tepid, Bennett was confident that Congress would approve this version.
Rockies today
Idaho ranchers, environmentalists testify on Owyhee Initiative
At a Senate hearing Tuesday on Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo's Owyhee Initiative, ranchers and conservationists praised the bill that would designate an 807-square-mile wilderness in southwest Idaho, while opening up other lands to recreation and grazing.
Idaho Statesman; April 23
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Other states monitor latest effort to designate wilderness in Idaho
Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo's Owyhee Initiative would designate 517,000 acres in Idaho's Owyhee County as federal wilderness, but it also removes some restrictions on other acres or selling them outright, which has drawn praise from some circles and criticism from others.
Christian Science Monitor; April 23
Utah lawmakers' Washington Co. wilderness bill gets Senate hearing
U.S. Sen. Bob Bennett said the fact that neither the environmentalists nor Washington County officials were happy with revised legislation that would designate 265,000 acres of the Utah county as wilderness and allow some federal lands to be sold for development suggests that the legislation is a good bill.
Salt Lake Tribune; April 23
N.M. governor wades into waterway protection effort
On Tuesday, Gov. Bill Richardson joined Santa-Fe-based WildForest Guardians in urging the New Mexico Water Quality Control Commission to nominate 5,340 miles of the state's waters as Outstanding National Resource Waters under the Federal Clean Water Act.
Santa Fe New Mexican; April 23
As Congress wrangles, states mandate renewable-energy goals
Arizona is one of 25 states that passed laws requiring utilities to get more of their energy from renewable resources, requiring utilities to get 15 percent of their energy from renewable resources by 2025.
Washington Post; April 23
Wyoming gov's China trip shores up his support of coal-fired energy
Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal's recent trip to China included a tour of General Electric's coal research plant in Shanghai, and firmed up his support of clean-coal technology, saying coal is the only power option for China and other countries.
Casper Star-Tribune (AP); April 23
Delta exec warns higher airfares are on the way
Airlines have already raised airfares nine times since Dec. 20, and on Tuesday, the chief executive of Delta Air Lines said rising fuel prices may increase air fares another 15 to 20 percent.
Salt Lake Tribune; April 23
Opinion
Idaho counties need time to prove themselves on wolf management
The decision of a county prosecutor in eastern Idaho not to file criminal charges against a landowner that reportedly pursued a wolf for a mile before killing it is debatable, but one such incident does not require the appointment of a special prosecutor to handle wolf cases.
Idaho Statesman; April 23
Bruce's ill-advised remarks may have helped Colorado worker bill pass
The Colorado House approved legislation Tuesday that would allow the state to cut through bureaucratic red tape to give agricultural concerns the temporary workers they need when they need them, and Rep. Douglas Bruce's ugly remark may have provided the impetus to get the legislation through the House.
Denver Post; April 23
Beyond the region
Europe to add 50 new coal-fired power plants by 2013
Increased demand for electricity, record high prices for oil and natural gas and an aversion to nuclear power were all cited as reasons Europe is turning to coal for its power, with about 50 new coal-fired plants planned over the next five years.
New York Times; April 23
Presidential candidates agree on climate change
There hasn't been much discussion about the environment between Sens. John McCain, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama as they travel the country campaigning for president because they share many of the same views on climate change, clean energy and greenhouse gas emissions, and all oppose drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Contains a graphic comparing the candidates' stance on a number of issues.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer; April 23
Transportation secretary rolls out new vehicle fuel-efficiency standards
At a press conference on Earth Day, Transportation Secretary Mary Peters unveiled the Bush administration's proposal for improved fuel efficiency for cars and trucks, calling for a fleetwide average of 31.5 miles per gallon by 2015.
Seattle Times (AP); April 23
Oil surges to $119.90 a barrel
Oil prices flirted with $120 a barrel before settling at $119.37 Tuesday.
Financial Post (Toronto); April 23
Governors of West Coast states seek help for salmon industry
The federal government's decision to cancel salmon fishing for a large swath of the Pacific Coast has the governors of Washington, Oregon and California seeking disaster aid for the industry, and has reinvigorated the debate over water and hydroelectric dams in those states.
Christian Science Monitor; April 23
Spellings submits series of changes to No Child Left Behind law
Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings used her executive powers to propose a series of changes to the federal No Child Left Behind law that included a requirement that all states use the same formula to determine high school graduation rates by the 2012-13 school year.
New York Times; April 23
In depth
Delta, Northwest's combined loss on fuel equals $10.5B
Delta Air Lines, Inc. reported its first-quarter losses widened to $6.39 billion, and Northwest Airlines, which will soon be acquired by Delta, reported a first-quarter loss of $4.1 billion.
Denver Rocky Mountain News (AP); April 23
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Airlines cite rising fuel costs for steep 1st quarter losses
UAL, the parent company of United Airlines, posted a $537 million loss for the first quarter of 2008; AMR, American Airlines' parent, posted a $328-million loss, and Continental Airlines posted a $80-million loss for the quarter as well.
New York Times; April 23
Frontier nixes Denver-Missoula flight
Frontier Airlines announced Wednesday that it would discontinue service on six routes, including its planned addition of a flight from Denver to Missoula, Mont.
Denver Post; April 23
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