Haaland revokes Trump’s fossil fuel development rules

PUBLIC LANDS: Interior Secretary Deb Haaland revokes Trump-era orders promoting fossil fuel development on public lands and waters, saying they are ​“inconsistent with the department’s commitment to protect public health; conserve land, water, and wildlife; and elevate science.″ (Associated Press)

ALSO:
• Interior Secretary Haaland also says her focus is on environmental justice and climate change. (Grist)
• Utah Gov. Spencer Cox says the state will ​“likely” sue the Biden administration if the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase national monuments are enlarged without congressional approval. (Salt Lake Tribune)

OIL & GAS:
• BP is expected to announce a plan today to stop routine flaring in the Permian Basin by 2025 using a $1.3 billion network of pipes and other infrastructure to collect and capture natural gas from oil wells. (Bloomberg)
• New Mexico U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján says plugging orphaned oil and gas wells is vital in protecting communities and generating employment opportunities. (New Mexico Political Report)
• Critics of Suncor’s problem-plagued suburban Denver oil refinery say it needs to close instead of pushing to renew its operating permits. (Denver Post)
• Oregon conservation groups say the developer behind a proposed 415 MW gas-fired power plant and state regulators acted unlawfully to expedite the project. (The Oregonian)

CLIMATE: Some researchers say California may actually be more than two decades into an emerging megadrought, driven by human-caused climate change. (Los Angeles Times)

OVERSIGHT: New Mexico regulators and activists are welcoming a $2.8 million funding increase that will improve the state’s environmental oversight. (Santa Fe New Mexican) 

RENEWABLE ENERGY:
• Nevada U.S. Rep. Steven Horsford says developing ​“resilient infrastructure” in the state is ​“the right thing to do for the environment” and would increase clean energy jobs. (Las Vegas Sun)
• New Mexico’s State Land Commissioner says the office has more than doubled renewable energy development on state lands over the past two years. (New Mexico Political Report)

WIND: Documents reveal the co-owner and operator of the Colstrip power plant is pursuing lease agreements for a wind farm in southeast Montana. (Billings Gazette)

UTILITIES: Critics of a proposed merger of New Mexico’s largest power company with Avangrid say it is of little benefit to the utility’s ratepayers. (Santa Fe New Mexican)

COMMENTARY:
• The extreme drought in the Southwest is a sign that climate change must be addressed before adverse impacts become more acute, a Nevada editorial board says. (Las Vegas Sun)
• An environmental advocate says the efforts towards a renewable energy future are being undermined by Wyoming lawsuits aiming to force Colorado to keep buying its coal. (Durango Herald)
• A California columnist says California’s climate fight has had benefits beyond cutting emissions, while a Democratic party leader says she is ​“alienated” by a party that ​“prefers jobs on a dying planet.” (East Bay Times, CalMatters)
• Two Colorado energy experts say the next few years will be critical for the state if it is to transition to a pollution-fee, sustainable economy. (Colorado Springs Gazette)