In the Rockies today, Arizona copper and Utah water are in the news.
Arizona-based Asarco, the world's third-largest copper producer, announced Saturday it was selling nearly all its operating assets to India-based Sterlite Industries.
The $2.6-billion cash deal must still be approved by a U.S. Bankruptcy Court, where the issue of who's really in charge of the company is still in dispute.
While Sterlite would assume liability for Asarco's operations, it will not be responsible for environmental claims for closed operations.
In Utah, the state's water official's decision to transfer a county's unused Colorado River water allocation to a farmer is making waves.
Operating under the premise of "use it or lose it," Utah State Engineer Jerry Olds approved the transfer of Wayne County's annual 50,000 acre feet of Colorado River water to a farmer who plans to use it to irrigate more than 16,000 acres across three counties.
If Wayne County wants the water back, water managers are going to have to prove they need it.
Rockies today
Arizona copper giant sells nearly all its operating assets to Indian company
Arizona-based Asarco announced Saturday that it would sell virtually all its operating assets, including three open-pit copper mines and a copper smelter in Arizona, as well as a copper refinery, rod and cake plant and precious-metals facility in Texas, to India's Sterlite Industries for $2.6 billion in cash.
Arizona Republic (AP); June 1
Companies sue N.M. county over energy drilling moratorium
Approach Oil and Gas Inc. and Approach Operating, LLC have sued Rio Arriba County and its commissioners over a recent decision to impose a four-month moratorium on drilling operations on private land within the New Mexico county, and the county has taken a legal step of its own, filing a challenge to Approach's drilling permits with the state Oil Conservation Division.
Farmington Daily Times; June 1
Utah transfers county's Colo. River rights to farmer
Utah State Engineer Jerry Olds said his decision to transfer Wayne County's right to 50,000 acre-feet per year of Colorado River to a farmer was done to keep the water right in Utah, as Wayne County wasn't putting the allocation to use, and he said he'll do more such transfers if that's what it takes to keep Utah's allocation of the river.
Salt Lake Tribune; June 1
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Water proposal could slow development in Utah county
Fearing an over-allocation of water rights in Tooele County, the Utah State Engineer has suspended water rights transfers within the Utah county while it considers a proposal to divide the county into three regions and prevent the transfer of water rights from one region to another.
Salt Lake Tribune; June 2
Montana board says coal-fired plant must meet PM2.5 standard
The Montana Board of Environmental Review issued an order on Friday that will require a proposed coal-fired power plant near Great Falls to meet a PM2.5 emissions standard, which stands for particulate matter 2.5 microns or smaller, before the project can proceed.
Great Falls Tribune; May 31
Climate-change legislation will enrich some industries, hurt others
The U.S. Senate will vote this week to open debate on sweeping climate-change legislation, and analysts said no matter what decision is ultimately made, some industries will benefit while others will take a considerable financial blow, and consumers will surely pay higher prices no matter what.
New York Times; June 2
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Senator: This year's federal climate legislation 'dress rehearsal"
This week the U.S. Senate will begin debate on landmark legislation crafted to address climate change that includes a cap-and-trade system on greenhouse gas emissions, a bill that has recently picked up the endorsement of trade unions, the U.S. Conference of Mayors and many faith-based groups, but is opposed by some energy companies who said the bill's version of a cap-and-trade system is not the right one and it will simply cost consumers too much.
Washington Post; June 1
Opinion
Federal air-pollution limits should protect public's health
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's decision to lower ozone limits from the current 80 parts per billion to 75 ppb effective in 2013, rather than the 60 to 75 ppb its own scientists recommended, is just another example of the current administration's political pandering to industry, and Utah should join the lawsuit filed by environmental and public health advocacy groups to get the ozone level down to a healthy standard.
Salt Lake Tribune; June 2
Idaho valley has work to do to keep carbon footprint small
Access to clean hydroelectric power helped Idaho's Treasure Valley score relatively low in the Brookings Institution's study on the carbon emissions of the nation's 100 largest metropolitan areas, but the Valley has some work to do as the area's population grows and its dependence on out-of-state coal-fired power grows.
Idaho Statesman; June 1
Beyond the region
FERC: California utility can challenge Arizona's denial of power line route
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said Southern California Edison can challenge Arizona's denial of the utility's request to build a power transmission line between Phoenix and Palm Springs, Calif.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer (AP); June 2
Bidding on energy leases in Canada's Arctic area ends today
Canada closes the bidding today for exploration rights on five parcels in the Beaufort Sea, and one parcel in the Mackenzie Valley area.
Toronto Globe and Mail; June 2
Snowpack holds promise for long whitewater season in Wash., Oregon
Whitewater enthusiasts will have plenty to paddle about in Washington and Oregon this season, with abundant snowpack delivering a longer, wilder whitewater season this year.
Portland Oregonian; June 2
Oregon farmer harnesses the wind to provide 25 percent of power
Portland General Electric officials said that while wind farms along Oregon's Columbia Gorge are becoming increasingly common, a McMinnville farmer's decision to erect a solitary turbine on his land to provide 25 percent of his annual power needs is a pioneering one.
Portland Oregonian; June 2
Seattle residents plant produce in nooks, crannies of Washington city
Urban gardens are sprouting up everywhere in Seattle, and there are about 1,500 residents on a waiting list for garden plots in the Washington city.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer; June 2
In depth
Colorado Democratic 'superdelegates' remain mum on their choices
Gov. Bill Ritter and U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar are two of the four remaining Colorado superdelegates who have yet to make their presidential picks known, and neither Ritter nor Salazar have set a timetable on indicating their choice.
Denver Rocky Mountain News; June 2
Chelsea Clinton rallies N.M. voters
Sen. Hillary Clinton's daughter, Chelsea, was in Albuquerque on Friday, where she urged voters to support her mother's campaign to be the Democratic Party's presidential nominee.
Santa Fe New Mexican (AP); May 31
Montana election officials predict record turnout for Tuesday primary
This year's hotly contested race for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination is expected to lead to record turnout at the polls in Montana on Tuesday.
Billings Gazette; June 2
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Former President Clinton hits the campaign trail again in Montana
Bill Clinton was in Montana again over the weekend, where he laid out details of Sen. Hillary Clinton's plans on health care, energy independence and veterans care at a rally in Stevensville Sunday morning.
Ravalli Republic; June 2
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Half a Montana town shows up to hear Bill Clinton speak Sunday
Former President Bill Clinton campaigned for his wife, Sen. Hillary Clinton, in Anaconda on Sunday, where about half the town's population--more than 2,000 people--turned out to hear him speak.
Montana Standard; June 2
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Hundreds weather rainstorm to rally for Clinton in Montana
President Bill Clinton was in Great Falls on Sunday to campaign for his wife, Sen. Hillary Clinton, who is battling for the Democratic Party's nomination for president against Sen. Barack Obama.
Great Falls Tribune; June 2
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Obama rally Friday draws 2,400 to Montana arena
Illinois Sen. Barack Obama's rally in Great Falls on Friday brought about 2,400 Montanans to the Four Seasons Arena in Great Falls.
Great Falls Tribune; May 31
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