In the Rockies today, the Department of Interior reviews its work over the past eight years, and lists 26 major accomplishments, including an increase in domestic energy production, an increase in on-shore renewable energy producing, including wind and geothermal power facilities, and protection of the polar bear as an endangered species.
Also in the news, renewable energy projects in Idaho are being hit with the same complaints as fossil-fuel projects, e.g., the impact they have on species such as sage grouse.
And the University of Utah student who successfully bid for 13 parcels at the Bureau of Land Management's Dec. 19 auction of energy leases is getting some financial help to put those leases on hold, with three websites taking pledges.
Tim DeChristopher bid $1.8 million for leases around near Arches and Canyonlands national parks as an act of civil disobedience that has the U.S. Attorney's office reviewing the matter for possible federal charges, and DeChristopher has been told raising $45,000 to put the leases on hold may help his case.
Rockies today
Interior Dept. applauds itself for job well done
Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne listed 26 accomplishments of the Department of Interior during the past eight years, including the $1 billion National Park Centennial Initiative, and the listing of the polar bear as an endangered species, but not everyone agreed with the list and the effects of those actions.
Washington Post; Jan. 1
Interest in geothermal energy heats up
The United States produces more electricity from geothermal resources than any other nation in the world, and experts believe with the proper infusion of cash, the renewable energy resource could provide up to 10 percent of the nation's power.
Christian Science Monitor; Jan. 2
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Renewable energy projects in Idaho hit obstacles
A proposed geothermal energy plant in Idaho is sited in the same area that could be flooded by a proposed dam, and wind farms in other areas of the state have raised concerns about their impact on sage grouse habitat and other concerns about the effect turbines would have on viewsheds.
Idaho Statesman; Jan. 2
Donations flow in to help pay for Utah energy leases
A University of Utah student who bid $1.8 million on 13 parcels at the Bureau of Land Management's Dec. 19 energy lease auction faces possible felony charges since he had no money to pay for the leases nor any intent to actually buy them, but he announced Wednesday he would pay $45,000 to hold the leases and has received $14,000 in donations toward that goal.
Salt Lake Tribune; Jan. 1
Good times roll in Nevada gold town
In foreclosure-riddled Nevada, there are no foreclosures in Battle Mountain, the county seat of Lander County, which has two gold mines, and unemployment in the county is half that of its neighbors.
New York Times; Jan. 2
Bomb threats torpedo Aspen's New Year's Eve celebrations
A former resident of Aspen, apparently bitter over the Colorado ski resort's transformation into a playground for the wealthy, left gift-wrapped bombs at two downtown banks and abandoned two others in an alley, forcing the evacuation of nearly all of downtown Aspen and the cancellation of New Year's Eve celebrations; the suspect shot and killed himself and no one else was injured.
Denver Post; Jan. 1
Avalanches claim 2 at B.C. ski resort
Two men died in separate avalanches at British Columbia's Whistler Blackcomb ski resort over the New Year's holiday.
Toronto Globe and Mail; Jan. 1
Opinion
Salazar needs to get tough on Interior Department
The general consensus on Colorado U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar, who will soon head up the Interior Department, is that he's an affable guy, easy to get along with and a consensus builder, but those characteristics may not serve him well in the balkanized Interior Department, where a good housecleaning is needed.
NewYork Times; Jan. 2
Utah lawmakers must help Salt Lake Co.'s solar push
Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon put together a proposal that could put solar panels on the rooftops of 50 county buildings, using a public-private partnership, but the state Legislature needs to sweeten incentives for large-scale solar projects to push the plan through, and lawmakers should do just that.
Salt Lake Tribune; Jan. 2
Arizona's Top 10 stories of 2008
The economy, crashing house prices, Gov. Janet Napolitano's nomination to head up Homeland Security in the Obama administration and renewable energy projects make the Arizona Republic's Top 10 stories of 2008.
Arizona Republic; Dec. 31
Beyond the region
BLM plan could double timber sales in SW Oregon
Late Wednesday, the Interior Department released its management plan for 2.6 million acres of federal forest lands in southwestern Oregon that could double the rate of logging on those lands, despite objections to the plan by Gov. Theodore R. Kulongoski and environmental groups.
New York Times; Jan. 1
Federal panel pushes for 50 percent increase in fuel taxes
The National Commission on Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing is expected to ask Congress to increase the federal gasoline tax to 28.4 cents a gallon and the federal tax on diesel fuel to somewhere between 36.4 to 39.4 cents per gallon.
Deseret News (AP); Jan. 2
Global economy slams dairy industry
Demand for dairy products across the globe has declined sharply over the past few months, taking prices down as well, and while some producers are holding on to their herds hoping for better times ahead, others are selling out.
New York Times; Jan. 2
Oil prices down, gold prices up as new year begins
Contracts for oil futures fell 4.6 percent on the New Year holiday to $42.54 a barrel, while gold prices rose to $881.55 an ounce.
New York Times; Jan. 2
Report says EPA erred on perchlorate analysis
A report by the Environmental Protection Agency's inspector general faulted the EPA for its analysis of perchlorate, a component of rocket fuel that is found in significant levels in drinking water in 400 locations, said that instead of examining perchlorate individually, the agency should have looked at the cumulative impact of the contaminant, along with other substances that inhibit the uptake of iodide by the thyroid, as well as the potentially inadequate supply of iodide in the diet of Americans.
New York Times; Jan. 2
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