In the Rockies today, a Bureau of Land Management study of the environmental impacts of solar projects in the southwestern United States may cause a 22-month delay on new projects.
The Bureau of Land Management said the study will streamline the processing of applications and allow the agency time to deal with its backlog of applications.
Projects in Nevada will likely be most affected by the delay, where 87 percent of the state is owned by the federal government, 67 percent of which is in the BLM's hands.
The BLM has received 125 applications for permits for solar projects over the past three years, 23 of which are in Nevada.
Today in Headwaters News' "On the Bookshelf," we offer a review of Gordon Sullivan's "Saving Homewaters: A Study of Montana's Rivers and Streams," that tracks efforts to restore those waterways between 1900 and 1940, and warns that some of those rivers and streams may be once again be in danger.
Rockies today
N.M. grants easement for Continental Divide Trail
The New Mexico Land Office signed off on easements for two federal trails on Tuesday: a 31-mile corridor that runs through several counties for the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail and a six-mile corridor through Sierra County for El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail, which traces the main route used centuries ago between the colonial Spanish capital of Mexico City and what is now New Mexico. You may have to view an ad to read this article.
Albuquerque Journal; June 18
BLM's planned study puts solar-power plans on hold in SW U.S.
The federal government's plan for a broad study of the environmental impacts of solar-power projects on public lands in the Southwest United States is designed to speed up approval of such projects, but the study will take nearly two years, during which time no new applications for such projects will be accepted.
Las Vegas Sun; June 18
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Effort to extend renewable energy tax breaks fails again in the U.S. Senate
On Tuesday, Senate Republicans again successfully fought efforts to open debate on a measure that would have extended tax credits for renewable energy projects set to expire Dec. 31, when a vote to take up debate on the measure failed 52 to 44. You may have to view an ad to read this article.
Albuquerque Journal; June 18
One arrested at meeting on proposed nuclear power plant in Idaho
Anti-nuke activist Peter Rickards was arrested at a public meeting in Glenns Ferry about a proposed nuclear power plant after Rickards ignored three requests to leave the meeting and to stop handing out flyers that were "not associated with the Idaho Energy Complex."
Twin Falls Times-News; June 18
Owner of mineral rights in N.M. wants to put a face on energy work
Anne Potter Russ, the Kansas woman who owns 60,000 acres of the 65,000 acres of mineral rights on New Mexico's Galisteo Basin, said she believes Tecton Energy will develop those leases in an environmentally sensitive manner and Russ is now working to convince Santa Fe County not to extend a six-month moratorium on energy development.
Santa Fe New Mexican; June 18
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N.M. family says energy company destroyed pristine area of ranch
A member of a New Mexico ranching family said Texas-based Approach Energy bulldozed a grove of aspen and a meadow to put in a well on the family ranch last year rather than in the area the company and family had agreed to, and for that reason other landowners in Rio Arriba County suspicious of the company.
Santa Fe New Mexican; June 18
Opinion
Compromises necessary for any energy project
California's mandate that the state obtain 20 percent of its electricity from renewable resources by 2010 ignited interest in a massive solar power project in Arizona's desert, but environmental groups are fighting the route of the transmission lines needed to carry the power from Arizona to California, a scenario that will no doubt repeat itself over and over again until Congress, state and local officials work together to inject some common sense into what is a necessary element of life.
Deseret News; June 18
Honda's hydrogen-fueled car may drive the nation into the future
It's true that there are just a few places in the nation where Honda's hydrogen-cell powered cars can fuel up, and it's true that the vehicles are pricey, but a century ago, the same things were said about the cars powered by internal-combustion engines fueled by gasoline, and perhaps Honda's new cell-powered vehicle will fuel just such another revolution.
Grand Junction Sentinel; June 18
Washington state smart to get started on wolf management
Washington state's effort to be proactive on wolf management before the wolves make their way into the state is a good move.
Tri-City Herald; June 18
Beyond the region
Groups file lawsuit challenging federal plan to balance salmon, dams
Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski said he would join the lawsuit filed Tuesday by environmental groups challenging the federal government's latest plan to balance salmon recovery and the continued operation of hydroelectric dams in the Columbia River Basin.
Seattle Times (AP); June 18
Work to remove hazardous waste at Hanford complex begins again
Ten months after a spill of radioactive material halted work at the Hanford nuclear complex in Washington state, contractors were once again pumping waste out of the oldest tanks.
Tri-City Herald; June 18
President says he'll seek end to offshore-drilling ban
President Bush will ask Congress today to end the ban on offshore drilling, putting him directly into the presidential campaign, where Republican Sen. John McCain supports such a move, opening McCain up to Democratic attacks that his presidency would be akin to another Bush term.
New York Times; June 18
Seattle grows much faster than projected
In three years, some areas of Seattle have already reached their 20-year projected growth, while the city as a whole is halfway there.
Seattle Times; June 18
White House touts dramatic increase in prosecution of illegal immigrants
Federal prosecutions of illegal immigrants rose from 3,746 in March of 2007 to 9,350 in March of this year, but critics said the effort is overloading already taxed federal court dockets and not doing much to deter illegal entry into the country.
Los Angeles Times; June 18
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