In the Rockies today, the focus is on energy.
In Montana, lack of transmission capability may slow development of wind-energy projects, but concerns are mounting that new transmission lines may be enlisted to carry coal-fired power as well.
Nuclear power is making a comeback as companies such as Hyperion Power Generation in New Mexico and Oregon-based NuScale Power develop small-scale reactors capable of producing 10 megawatts of power, providing rural, remote communities with a reliable source of power.
Energy leases are also in the news, with the U.S. Forest Service's announcement that 30,000 acres of federal roadless lands in Colorado were inadvertently included in the Bureau of Land Management's February auction, and that those parcels would be pulled from the auction.
And the Bureau of Land Management is considering its options after a University of Utah student successfully bid for 10 parcels near two national parks in that state, without having the $1.8 million he bid nor the intent to ever take possession of the leases.
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Rockies today
Montana's renewable energy industry waits on lines
Montana, as well as other states where renewable energy projects are sprouting up, is waiting for transmission lines to carry that green power to market, but some are urging caution in that coal-fired power is still very much in the picture and any new transmission lines will be used to carry that power as well.
Christian Science Monitor; Dec. 29
Toshiba offers Alaska village a mini nuclear reactor for free
Japanese manufacturer Toshiba has offered to install its new "4S" (Super-safe, small, and simple) mini nuclear reactor in Galena, Alaska, by 2012 for free; New Mexico-based Hyperion Power Generation and Oregon-based NuScale Power are also working on mini nuclear power plants.
Christian Science Monitor; Dec. 30
Energy companies again come calling in Montana basin
Sweet Grass County has occasionally had energy companies interested in energy resources underlying the Montana county, but in January, interest began heating up, and in September. 122 leases on state land pulled in $7.5 million, although only one well has been drilled thus far this year and the results of that effort aren't public -- yet.
Billings Gazette; Dec. 30
Leases in Colorado roadless areas to be pulled from auction
U.S. Forest Service officials said an oversight allowed 13,000 acres of federal roadless lands in western Colorado to be slated for auction at the Bureau of Land Management's Feb. 13 auction, and that those leases would be pulled off the auction.
Durango Herald; Dec. 30
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BLM mulls options on bogus bids on Utah leases
At the Dec. 19 auction of oil and gas leases in Utah, a University of Utah student bid $1.8 million for 10 parcels near Arches and Canyonland national parks, bids for which he has neither the money nor intent to make good, and Bureau of Land Management officials said they do not yet know how they'll handle this unprecedented situation.
Salt Lake Tribune; Dec. 22
Inventors tap into nature for products, designs
Biomimicry, the copying of natural processes to develop new technology and products, provides a way to protect the Earth and reduce the ecological impact of industrial products, is helping entrepreneurs do such things as reduce carbon emissions by emulating the process a pearl oyster uses to build its shell.
Washington Post; Dec. 28
Scientists study swarm of tremors in Yellowstone park
More than 250 small earthquakes shook Yellowstone National Park over the past three days, and scientists said that while seismic activity in the park isn't that unusual, the sheer number over three consecutive days is uncommon.
Casper Star-Tribune (AP); Dec. 30
Opinion
Idaho lawmaker trips up mass-transit efforts
The reason Boise doesn't have mass transit can be tracked directly back to Idaho state Rep. Mike Moyle, House majority leader and a member of the House Revenue and Taxation Committee, who has consistently voted against giving residents the ability to vote on implementing a transit tax.
NewWest.net; Dec. 30
There are better ways to manage federal lands
A better way to manage federal public lands would be to combine the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service into one agency, cutting overhead costs and simplifying transactions on those lands; another change needed is an imposition of a "stupid tax," which makes property owners who want to build along rivers and deep in the forest pay to protect their own land. An essay by Ed Quillen.
High Country News; Dec. 22
The word's out on Utah's dirty air
The Environmental Protection Agency released its list of counties and cities where the air contains too much PM 2.5, tiny particles of soot, and Salt Lake City, Provo, Logan and the counties that surround them are on the list, and Utahns will be asked to drive less, use public transit and limit wood burning to help reduce air pollution, sacrifices that will help everyone breathe easier.
Salt Lake Tribune; Dec. 30
Beyond the region
TVA comes clean on contents of Tenn. coal ash pond
Tennessee Valley Authority released an inventory Monday of the coal ash holding pond that failed last week 40 miles west of Knoxville that showed the torrent of sludge contained a mixture of arsenic, lead, barium, chromium and manganese, and issued a warning that direct contact with the ash be avoided.
New York Times; Dec. 30
Snowfall breaks records in Spokane
Thus far this month, Spokane has received 59 inches of snow, the most in one month since record-keeping began in the Eastern Washington city, and more snow is in the forecast.
Spokane Spokesman-Review; Dec. 30
In depth
Seven of 8 missing snowmobilers found dead in B.C.
Local officials announced Monday that they had recovered the bodies of seven of the eight snowmobilers caught in an avalanche near Fernie, B.C. on Sunday, and said they did not believe they would find the eighth missing man alive.
Calgary Herald; Dec. 30
Utah avalanche kills teen snowmobiler
An avalanche Monday in the Uinta National Forest in Utah's Summit County killed a 15-year-old snowmobiler.
Salt Lake Tribune; Dec. 30
Avalanche warnings issued in 3 national forests in Idaho
U.S. Forest Service officials are advising against any backcountry travel in areas of the Payette and Boise national forests in north-central Idaho and the Sawtooth National Forest in central and southern Idaho due to high avalanche danger.
Idaho Statesman; Dec. 30
Avalanches close road in rural Idaho
Several avalanches along a rural road in southeast Boise County and northwest Elmore County were reported Monday, closing the road to travel.
Idaho Statesman; Dec. 30
Snowfall smashes records in northern Idaho
Coeur d'Alene received 85.2 inches of snowfall already this month, beating the record one-month total for the northern Idaho city set in 1969 by just a few inches, but the calendar year's total snowfall of 209.2 inches blasted through the record 139 inches set in 1922.
Coeur d'Alene Press; Dec. 30
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