In the Rockies today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rolls out its climate-change initiative; a Canadian company auctions off transmission line capacity along routes from Montana and Wyoming to Las Vegas; and Wyoming and Idaho lawmakers sound off about Washington, D.C. getting federal stimulus funds for "wildland fire management."
Last week Interior Secretary Ken Salazar ordered agencies in his department to coordinate climate change science and management policies for affected resources, and this week the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service became the first agency to release its strategy.
The plan is broad, calling for strategies to reduce the impact of climate change on species, finding ways to curb greenhouse gas emissions and developing partnerships to find local solutions.
TransCanada announced it will auction transmission capacity on two projects that will run from Montana and Wyoming to Nevada near Las Vegas.
The outcome of that auction will drive the projects, and TransCanada officials said interest in the projects was highest among wind-energy developers.
And finally, Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso and Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo are questioning why the U.S. Forest Service directed $2.8 million of federal stimulus funds designated for "Wildland Fire Management" to a Washington, D.C. nonprofit known for its work on urban parks and a green-jobs program for teens in the U.S. capital.
Rockies today
Canadian company Montana, Wyoming transmission-line projects
TransCanada plans an auction in Las Vegas in October to sell transmission line capacity on two proposed transmission projects, one that would stretch from southeast Wyoming to the Eldorado Valley near Las Vegas, and the other from southwest Montana to the Eldorado Valley, and company officials said most of the interest in the transmission line projects has come from wind developers.
Casper Star-Tribune (AP); Sept. 24
Wyoming wind, natural gas combine to provide consistent energy
Pairing wind turbines with natural gas will provide Wyoming with a consistent flow of electricity that is low in carbon emissions, and quite possibly cheaper than coal over time.
Casper Star-Tribune; Sept. 24
Wyoming lawmakers angered by redirection of fire funds to D.C. parks
The U.S. Forest Service rerouted $2.8 million in federal stimulus funds for "Wildland Fire Management" to Washington Parks & People, a D.C.-based nonprofit, which will get $2.7 million of the money to restore urban parks, and $90,000 will fund "a green summer job corps" to employ 100 teens.
Casper Star-Tribune (AP); Sept. 24
USFWS lays out broad strategies, goals to address climate change
On Wednesday, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released its Strategic Plan for Climate Change that set forth three basic goals: reducing the effect of climate changes on wildlife; developing methods to reduce carbon emissions, and creating partnerships to develop local solutions to address climate change.
Salt Lake Tribune; Sept. 24
The fight for arctic grayling forges on in Montana's Big Hole River
The 156-mile stretch of the Big Hole River in Montana is the last stronghold of fluvial (river-dwelling) Arctic grayling in the lower 48 states, and federal and local governments are working with private landowners via the Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances program to preserve the river and keep the grayling population healthy, but not all agree that the program is enough to do so. An indepth look at the fish and the issues on the Big Hole River.
NewWest.net; Sept. 24
Montana town listed as federal Superfund site
Superior and Mineral County officials petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency to make the Montana community a Superfund site after a 2002 quick response team from the EPA found widespread contamination of high levels of lead, arsenic and other toxins left over from decades of operations of the now-defunct Iron Mountain Mine and Mill, and on Wednesday, their request was granted, opening the way for federal funding to clean up the contamination.
Missoulian; Sept. 24
Public lands day volunteers have slate of choices in Wyoming
Saturday is National Public Lands Day, and there are six venues in Wyoming where volunteers can make a difference.
Casper Star-Tribune; Sept. 24
Opinion
Despite downturn, energy chugs along in Wyoming
Damped a bit by the national economy, energy development isn't charging ahead in Wyoming, but companies are proceeding with natural gas and carbon dioxide pipeline projects, and the state is working on the regulatory framework for carbon sequestration as the University of Wyoming addresses the technological side of that issue, all of which puts the Cowboy State in a position to forge ahead once the economy picks up again.
Casper Star-Tribune; Sept. 24
Beyond the region
Oil industry reports unusually brisk year in finding new oilfields
Oil companies have discovered more than 200 new oilfields in dozens of countries, and natural gas companies have also found new sources to tap.
New York Times; Sept. 24
Oil drops below $70 a barrel
After the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported a large increase in crude and products stockpiles, oil dropped 4 percent to $69 a barrel.
Calgary Herald (Reuters); Sept. 24
In depth
Calm weather helps stall Montana wildfire
Firefighters continued work to button down the Kootenai Creek wildfire in Montana's Bitterroot Valley, and with calmer weather, fire officials are confident fire lines will hold, but a lack of wind means smoke from the fire will blanket the valley.
Ravalli Republic; Sept. 24
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