Alaska’s senators want more offshore drilling in Arctic waters

GOP assault on the environment continues Staff Report Environmental protections are under attack on every front and the far North is no exception. Alaska’s senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, both Republicans, appear willing to risk fragile ocean environments for a few more petrodollars, so they’ve opportunistically introduced a bill that would expand oil and

Sage grouse and drilling just don’t mix

Well density seen as key factor in decline of birds in Wyoming Staff Report Limiting the density of new oil and gas drilling rigs in Wyoming may not be enough to stem the decline of greater sage-grouse, according to scientists tracking populations of the imperiled bird. Berween 1984 and 2008, populations declined by 2.5 percent

Canadian study finds new earthquake-fracking links

‘I think it’s really just a matter of time before we start seeing damage coming out of this …’ Staff Report Researchers in western Canada tracking the link between fracking and earthquakes have come to a different conclusion than scientists studying the same issue in the U.S. Instead of pointing to wastewater injection as the

Nobel Laureates urge ban on Arctic fossil fuel exploration

‘We urge you to … protect the Arctic Ocean from the dangers of fossil fuel extraction’ Staff Report Any plans to drill or or explore for fossil fuel resources are morally unacceptable and scientifically unsupportable, a group of female Nobel Prize winners wrote this week in a letter to the Arctic Council. The letter, signed

Environment: Study says abandoned oil and gas wells are a pathway for methane leaks from new fracking sites

Damaged well casings and fractured ground eyed in New York study Staff Report Spiderweb networks of abandoned oil and gas wells and cracked rocks may be significant pathways for methane leaks that aren’t being accurate measured, according to University of Vermont researchers who studied well patterns in New York. The scientists said that not all

National Park Service to update oil and gas drilling rules

Agency acknowledges potential for adverse impacts to park values Staff Report The recent surge in fossil fuel exploitation on public lands near national parks has raised serious concerns about air quality, wildlife and scenic values — to the point that the National Parks Conservation Association outlined threats in a report a few years ago. Now,

Colorado wants feds to sanction a market-driven sage grouse habitat conservation plan

Habitat exchange could pay off for Colorado ranchers, developers — and, hopefully, sage grouse Staff Report Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper says a state program aimed at conserving sage-grouse habitat is ready for primetime. This week, the state sought formal recognition from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the voluntary, market-based conservation plan.

Colorado steps up sage grouse conservation

Habitat exchange scheme eyed as key component in efforts to protect dwindling western birds By Bob Berwyn FRISCO — Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper is calling for an all-out state effort to protect greater sage-grouse by stepping up coordination among state agencies, improving habitat on state-controlled lands, and boosting the role of the state’s oil and

BLM updates oil and gas drilling plan for Piceance Basin in northwest Colorado

Master leasing plan aims to protect Dinosaur National Monument By Bob Berwyn FRISCO — A new master leasing plan proposed by the Bureau of Land Management for public lands surrounding northwestern Colorado’s Dinosaur National Monument aims to reduce oil and gas drilling impacts to wildlife, archaeological treasures and other resources in the region. The plan

Colorado: More fracking coming to the Pawnee National Grasslands

Feds finalizing oil and gas development plan for 100,000 acres of public land Staff Report FRISCO — If it sometimes feels like fracking is closing in wherever you look, it’s because it is. One of the latest arenas for fossil fuel exploitation is on the Pawnee National Grasslands, in northeastern Colorado, described by the U.S.