In the Rockies today, Idaho wilderness, Colorado water and Alberta oil are in the news.

Idaho U.S. Reps. Mike Simpson and Walt Minnick wasted little time before introducing Simpson's Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act into Congress on Tuesday.

The bill would create three new wilderness areas in Idaho's White Cloud and Boulder mountains.

In Colorado, Shell Oil Co. has applied for a share of the Yampa River water to use in developing its oil-shale leases in the northwest area of the state.

The Yampa River is the last basin in Colorado that has unappropriated water.

And with a new administration poised to take the helm in Washington, D.C., the debate on oil pulled from Alberta's oilsands is predicted to heat up, with environmental groups promising to press the Obama administration to not allow oilsands operations to escape regulation under proposed climate-change agreements.

Rockies today

Idaho congressmen team up on CIEDRA
U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick barely had the U-Haul unpacked before he was sworn in as Idaho's newest congressman, and immediately after the swearing-in ceremony, he signed on to U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson's Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act, and the two formally introduced the wilderness bill into the newly convened session of Congress.
Idaho Mountain Express; Jan. 7
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Shell Oil files request for Colorado water for oil-shale work
Shell Oil Co. holds three research-and-development leases for oil shale in northwest Colorado, and the company has filed a request for 375 cubic feet per second from the Yampa River, which it will use to fill a 45,000-acre reservoir in Moffatt County to use in developing oil-shale resources.
Denver Post; Jan. 7
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Arizona, Wyoming coal ash sites on EPA list
The failure of a coal ash pond in Tennessee that sent a torrent of toxic sludge across 300 acres has raised concerns about the hundreds of similar sites across the United States, which are largely unregulated, and the Environmental Protection Agency considers coal ash dumps to be a threat to water supplies and public health, including one in Arizona and another in Wyoming, yet they are largely unregulated.
New York Times; Jan. 7
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Developer banks on Denver's diverse economy
The developer of a 500-unit condominium project in Denver said he believes the Colorado city's diverse economy will allow it to weather the national economic downturn.
New York Times; Jan. 7
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Obama's climate change stance at odds with Alberta oil
Canada is now the largest oil supplier to the United States, primarily due to oil produced in Alberta's oilsands regions, but processing those oilsands is energy intensive and produces significant carbon emissions, and environmental groups will press the Obama administration for restrictions on oilsands projects.
New York Times; Jan. 7
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Wind-farm projects in New Mexico prompt protests
New Mexicans who live near Taos and in San Miguel County where two large-scale wind farms are proposed want to know who has their back in decisions on where the industrial-sized projects are located, and they want to know just how dozens of 30-story tall turbines will affect their health and the environment.
Santa Fe New Mexican; Jan. 6
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Idaho governor picks state senator to be lieutenant governor
Idaho Sen. Brad Little was selected by Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter on Tuesday to be the state's lieutenant governor.
Idaho Statesman; Jan. 7
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Opinion

Utah governor's plan to tax services a good one
The proposal to broaden Utah's tax base by taxing services isn't a new one, but Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s decision to press for such a tax is a good one, and while he's at it, he should take the tax off unprepared food, a tax that dings the state's poorest residents unfairly.
Salt Lake Tribune; Jan. 7
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Beyond the region

Washington climatologist to head Oregon climate institute
Philip W. Mote, Washington's state climatologist, is the new head of the Oregon Climate Change Research Institute.
Portland Oregonian; Jan. 7
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Washington state lawmakers prepare for budget battle
Some Washington state lawmakers believe the state's budget deficit could grow to $7 billion, putting economic issues front and center when the Legislature convenes Monday.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer; Jan. 7
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