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In the Rockies today, a Colorado senator may be the next secretary of Interior; a former Montana congressman says now is the time to push for more wilderness in the Big Sky State, and wolves in the Northern Rockies may again be delisted.
U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar is reported to be President-elect Barack Obama's choice to head up Interior, according to two sources, although some Democratic strategists said the Colorado Democrat seemed more interested in remaining in the Senate.
In Montana, former U.S. Rep. Pat Williams urged wilderness advocates to push hard for legislation designating areas of the Big Sky State as wilderness, and said the political climate has never been better for such legislation.
Also in Montana, and neighboring Idaho and Wyoming, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's wolf recovery coordinator said it's possible the federal government may act this week to remove the species from the federal endangered species list.
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Rockies today
Sources say Colorado senator in lead for Interior post
Two sources have confirmed that Colorado U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar is the top contender to be the next Secretary of Interior.
Denver Post; Dec. 15
Former Montana congressman: Think big on wilderness
Pat Williams served as Montana's congressman from 1979 to 1997, and worked to get more of the Big Sky State designated as wilderness during his tenure, including a massive bill that then-President Ronald Reagan vetoed in 1988, and his advice to Montana's congressional delegation and groups working for more wilderness in Montana: Think big and do it now. Editor's note: Pat Williams is a senior fellow at the Center for the Rocky Mountain West, of which Headwaters News is a program.
NewWest.net; Dec. 15
USFWS expert: N. Rockies wolves may be delisted this week
The federal government may move as quickly as this week to remove wolves in the Northern Rockies from the federal endangered species list.
Casper Star-Tribune; Dec. 14
Federal officials downplay effect of midnight regulations
While environmental groups and watchdogs protest the administration's final efforts to change federal policies that they said will have detrimental effects on public lands and species, officials at federal agencies said the changes have been in the works for years or are being made to satisfy statutory requirements.
Denver Post; Dec. 15
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Federal policy changes concern Montanans, watchdog groups
Midnight regulations, those changes to federal policies proposed by the outgoing administration, could have far-ranging effects on lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service, especially in Montana, where the agency is working on an agreement with Plum Creek Timber Co. to provide access across its lands, clearing the way for more development.
Missoulian; Dec. 15
BLM halves energy leases to be auctioned in Utah
The Bureau of Land Management removed another 80,000 acres of land in Utah from its planned Dec. 19 auction, bringing the total number of acres down from the 360,000 originally proposed in November by nearly 196,000 acres.
Salt Lake Tribune; Dec. 13
N.M. company builds mini-nuclear reactors
The president of Hyperion Power Generation, a New Mexico company partially owned by the group that runs Los Alamos National Laboratory, said the company is about three years away from commercially producing a nuclear reactor about the size of a sports-utility vehicle to power a steam turbine that can power 20,000 homes for about $25 million, and that it is considering building the turbines in either New Mexico or Idaho.
Albuquerque Journal; Dec. 15
Stimson asks Idaho county to rezone timberlands for development
Oregon-based Stimson Lumber Co. wants Bonner County to rezone 12,000 acres between Coeur d'Alene and Sandpoint in Idaho to allow the company to build a luxury golf community.
Idaho Statesman (AP); Dec. 14
Opinion
There's still time for Utah lawmakers to kill immigration bill
The 2008 Utah Legislature was wrong to pass Senate Bill 81, a package of measures crafted to address illegal immigration in the state, and given the nation's current economic state, the error continues to grow, as does the price tag of implementing the law.
Salt Lake Tribune; Dec. 15
Another noisy season on deck in Yellowstone National Park
The snowmobile season roars to life in Yellowstone National Park today, another noisy winter brought to you by a crafted decision by Park Superintendent Suzanne Lewis, who stitched together the policy out of conflicting court opinions.
Denver Post; Dec. 15
Guest column:
T.Roosevelt IV good candidate for Interior post
President-elect Barack Obama has exhibited political dexterity in his selection of candidates to fill his Cabinet thus far, and nominating Theodore Roosevelt IV, great grandson of the legendary "Rough Rider," to be his Interior secretary would be another savvy maneuver. Bob Brown is a senior fellow at the Center for the Rocky Mountain West, of which Headwaters News is a program.
Bob Brown, Center for the Rocky Mountain West; Dec. 15
Beyond the region
Northwest lawmakers: BPA expansion perfect fit for federal stimulus plan
The components of the Bonneville Power Administration were built by the federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Great Depression, and Northwest lawmakers are working to make the expansion of that system a priority in the proposed federal stimulus plan.
Seattle Times; Dec. 15
B.C. company to shut down Washington state mine
Vancouver, B.C.-based Teck Cominco announced Monday that it will close its Pend Oreille zinc mine in Washington state in February, a shutdown that will result in the loss of 165 jobs.
Toronto National Post; Dec. 15
Solar energy a hot spot in nation's economy
Officials of the Washington-based Solar Energy Industries Association said solar installations increased by 45 percent between 2006 and 2007, and that the number of jobs in the industry will more than double over the next eight years.
New York Times; Dec. 13
Fannie Mae gets into the leasing business
Fannie Mae officials announced the mortgage lender would sign leases with renters of foreclosed properties to give them some relief from the national housing crisis that threatens to oust thousands of renters from their homes, even though they were current on rent payments.
New York Times; Dec. 16
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