In the Rockies today, climate change, guns in parks and the 1872 mining law are at the top of the page.

At a hearing Tuesday, Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso confronted Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson with a memo outlining comments from federal agencies questioning the EPA's finding that greenhouse gases are a threat to human health and welfare.

Barrasso said the comments contained in the memo proved the EPA's finding was based on politics, not science, although the White House said many of the comments came from holdovers from the previous administration and had been rejected by Obama appointees.

The U.S. Senate passed a bill on Tuesday that would allow visitors to national parks to carry loaded guns, if the laws of the state in which the parks are located allowed them to do so.

And proponents of efforts to reform the General Mining Act of 1872 said the time appears right to finally get the 137-year-old law reworked, with both the House and Senate considering legislation to do so, and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar providing his support for such reform.

Also in the news, a federal judge in Montana issued a partial ruling in the lawsuit over the financial meltdown of the Yellowstone Club that put Swiss investment banker Credit Suisse near the end of the line of creditors.

Rockies today

Montana judge sends Credit Suisse to end of line in resort case
In a partial ruling on the financial meltdown of the Yellowstone Club in Montana, U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Ralph B. Kirscher ruled Tuesday that Credit Suisse's secured claim to $232 million take a backseat to vendors, contractors and others having unsecured claims.
NewWest.net; May 13
Add Comment   View Comments(0)   Email Story

Wyoming senator takes EPA chief to task on climate change
At a hearing Tuesday of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Wyoming U.S. Sen. John Barrasso said a memo compiled by the White House Office of Management and Budget from statements from various agencies that questioned the Environmental Protection Agency's decision that greenhouse gas emissions are threatening public safety and welfare proved that the decision was based on politics and not science.
New York Times; May 13
Add Comment   View Comments(1)   Email Story

U.S. Senate, House consider bills to reform 1872 mining law
New Mexico Sen. Jeff Bingaman and West Virginia U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall have each sponsored legislation designed to overhaul the General Mining Law was passed in 1872, and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar has said he is committed to reforming the 137-year-old law.
Idaho Statesman (AP); May 13
Add Comment   View Comments(0)   Email Story

U.S. Senate passes bill to allow loaded guns in parks
The U.S. Senate on Tuesday voted 67 to 29 to pass legislation attached as an amendment to an unrelated bill that would overturn a federal law requiring visitors to national parks and wildlife refuges to unload and store their guns.
Los Angeles Times; May 13
Add Comment   View Comments(0)   Email Story

Fuel-reduction projects keep Montana loggers in the forest
Projects to remove fuels from forests in Montana are keeping log-truck drivers and sawyers at work.
Missoulian; May 13
Add Comment   View Comments(0)   Email Story

First Nations tell Canada to protect water in oilsands country
At one of several scheduled hearings on the oilsands industry and water quality, several First Nations leaders told members of a federal environment committee that they were tired of unchecked oilsands development trampling on their constitutionally protected right to hunt, fish and trap.
Edmonton Journal; May 13
Add Comment   View Comments(0)   Email Story

BLM puts out the call for pasture for older wild mustangs
The Bureau of Land Management's holding facilities for wild horses and burros taken from their range are maxed out, and now the federal agency has put out a call for bids for range for 6,000 wild horses.
Salt Lake Tribune; May 13
Add Comment   View Comments(0)   Email Story


Opinion

Coal-gasification facility a boon to Wyoming wherever it's sited
The selection of Cheyenne as the site of the planned High Plains Gasification-Advanced Technology Center may be a head-scratcher since no coal is mined in Laramie County, but with that decision in place, construction on the research facility should begin immediately so a cleaner, better way to use Wyoming's coal can be found as soon as possible.
Casper Star-Tribune; May 13
Add Comment   View Comments(0)   Email Story


Beyond the Region

West Coast's largest ethanol producer teeters near bankruptcy
Pacific Ethanol, the largest producer of ethanol on the West Coast, has already shut down operations at three plants this year, although it is still producing corn-based ethanol at its Oregon plant in Boardman, but company officials warned that it may have to resort to bankruptcy if it cannot restructure its debt.
Portland Oregonian; May 13
Add Comment   View Comments(0)   Email Story

Gold, oil prices climb as dollar dips
Spot gold prices hit 928.30 an ounce on Tuesday, the highest in five weeks, while the U.S. dollar dipped to its lowest level in four months, and oil prices were at a six-month high of just above $60 a barrel.
Toronto Globe and Mail (Reuters); May 13
Add Comment   View Comments(0)   Email Story