In the Rockies today, wind-generated energy in Montana; geothermal leases in Colorado; and a river project in Nevada are in the news.
In Montana, where construction on the Montana-Alberta Tie Line has just begun, two companies are already proposing a 100-mile extension of the transmission project.
The Canadian company that is building the 214-mile transmission line between Lethbridge, Alberta, and Great Falls, Mont., has teamed up with Ireland-based Gaelectric to study the feasibility of adding a 100-mile addition to the MATL, to link up with Bonneville Power Administration's line either at Townsend or Garrison, or both, to accommodate new wind-generated power.
In Colorado, the Bureau of Land Management decided to hold off on auctioning geothermal leases this month, and will instead offer them at its February sale.
And in Nevada, a $7.8-million project is under way to return some of the natural bends to the Truckee River removed in 1960s to reduce flooding.
A similar project is also under way on the Provo River in Utah.
Rockies today
Canadian, Irish companies propose new Montana transmission line
Officials of Ireland-based Gaelectric and Toronto-based Tonbridge Power Inc., which is already building the Montana-Alberta Tie Line, a transmission line between Lethbridge, Alberta, and Great Falls, Mont., want to extend the reach of that transmission line from Great Falls to the Bonneville Power Administration's 500-kilovolt Colstrip line west of Townsend or at Garrison, or possibly both, to provide transmission capability for wind-produced electricity.
Great Falls Tribune; Nov. 7
BLM defers sale of geothermal leases in Colorado
The Bureau of Land Management had planned to offer geothermal leases in Colorado at auction this month, but decided to hold off until January to give the agency more time to hammer out details on management of such leases.
Grand Junction Sentinel; Nov. 7
Montana's Blackfoot Valley project gets final infusion of federal cash
The recently signed 2010 Interior appropriations bill contained $8.4 million to finalize land purchases in Montana's Blackfoot River Valley for wildlife habitat and to protect those lands from development.
Missoulian; Nov. 9
Project puts the meander back into Nevada river
The $7.8-million project in Nevada at the Mustang Ranch, the former site of the state's first legal bordello, will restore the Truckee River's meander on its way to Pyramid Lake, and is just one of several projects across the nation to return rivers to their natural, winding paths.
Reno Gazette-Journal; Nov. 9
Scientists: Storage of depleted uranium in Utah 'absurd'
Three scientists, two from Brigham Young University in Utah, said the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's decision that allows surface storage of depleted uranium is absurd and puts residents of Utah at risk.
Salt Lake Tribune; Nov. 9
Idaho counties' unemployment doubled over past year
An over-reliance on the tourism, construction and real-estate industries was cited by officials of Idaho's Blaine and Lincoln counties, where the unemployment rates more than doubled over the past year.
Twin Falls Times-News; Nov. 7
USFS rejects 56 appeals of Montana forest management plan
Deputy U.S. Forest Service Chief Gloria Manning rejected all 56 appeals filed on the management plan for the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest in Montana, which means the plan will be put into practice, although the Forest Service will consider three aspects of the plan for additional review: creating a better map for motorized vehicle users; more input on the domestic sheep vs. bighorn sheep issue; and additional analysis of wild and scenic designations for Deadman and Canyon creeks.
Montana Standard; Nov. 8
Opinion
Colorado must take hard look at solar power, transmission plan
The Western Governors Association has identified Colorado's San Luis Valley as an area with a high potential for a solar-power project, but the project and the transmission lines needed to carry the power to market will have considerable impact on the scenic valley, and state and federal officials must take a long, hard look at all the options before making a final decision.
Denver Post; Nov. 9
Feds made good call on Lubchenco as spokesperson for salmon plan
Jane Lubchenco, administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, will represent the federal government at the U.S. District Court hearing on Nov. 23 on the government's plan for endangered salmon, a good decision given her reputation and experience. A column by Rocky Barker.
Idaho Statesman; Nov. 9
Utah blast shows real danger of development near refineries
The explosion at the Woods Cross oil refinery blew one home in the Utah neighborhood completely off its foundation, rendering it inhabitable, and clearly documents the danger of allowing residential development near refineries.
Salt Lake Tribune; Nov. 9
Beyond the region
Health care reform bill squeaks through U.S. House
The U.S. House voted 220 to 215 on Saturday to approve health care reform legislation, moving the fight to the U.S. Senate.
New York Times; Nov. 8
Gold climbs beyond $1,100 an ounce
Market strategists said a structural shift in investors helped drive the price of gold into record territory on Friday.
New York Times; Nov. 9
In depth
Federal stimulus program for energy efficiency stumbles along
The extra scrutiny of programs designed to make buildings more energy efficient stalled community efforts to do that, and most groups awarded federal stimulus money for the work are just getting started.
Washington Post; Nov. 7
Idaho county begins work to make buildings more energy efficient
Using federal stimulus funds, Twin Falls County officials have hired a consulting firm to figure out how to reduce energy use at the Idaho county's buildings.
Twin Falls Times-News; Nov. 9
CLIMB Wyoming trains single moms for 'green jobs'
CLIMB Wyoming has always had the mission of training single mothers for jobs in higher-paying and nontraditional fields, and now the groups is training the women for jobs in renewable energy fields, and several women have already graduated from the wind technician program offered at Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne.
Casper Star-Tribune; Nov. 8
|
