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Photo courtesy of Rick and Susie Graetz
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
produced daily by Shellie Nelson
Editor's Notes...

West map In the Rockies today, the U.S. Interior Department approves another large-scale drilling plan in Utah.

While the Gasco proposal is about a third the size of the Anadarko plan approved last month near Vernal, the Anadarko plan has air-quality protections and buffers around the White River that won the support of environmental groups.

Conservation groups are concerned about the Gasco plan, which allows drilling sites within five miles of Desolation Canyon and within three miles of a boat launch, and is in the Uintah Basin, which has been plagued with high ozone levels in recent winters.

Energy development and public lands will be on Congress' agenda this week and next, and on Monday, the U.S. House began debate on House Bill 4480, a suite of bills that conservation groups said puts energy development above all other public-land uses.

Also in the news, more houses were burned by the High Park Fire in Colorado, and we again provide a roundup of wildfire coverage in the Rocky Mountain West in our In-depth section.

Rockies today

 Interior Department approves 1,300 gas wells in Eastern Utah
The Southern Utah Wilderness Association said that it planned to appeal Monday's decision that would allow Gasco to drill more than 1,300 natural gas wells 3,600 acres on West Tavaputs in Eastern Utah.
Salt Lake Tribune; June 19

Public lands, energy bills on Congress' agenda this week and next
Analysts said this two-week window will be Congress' most productive before the lawmakers switch to full campaign mode, and with both the federal transportation bill and the Farm Bill up for reauthorization, a slew of bills could be attached to those must-pass bills including House Bill 4480 which makes changes to energy leasing policies on federal lands and the House's Sportsmen's Heritage Act,, co-sponsored by Montana U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg, and the version of that bill before the U.S. Senate co-sponsored by Montana U.S. Sen. Jon Tester.
Missoulian; June 19

U.S. House sends Utah, Ute land bill swap to U.S. Senate
Legislation that codifies a land-swap agreement between the Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA) and the Ute Indian Tribe was approved by the U.S. House and now awaits action in the U.S. Senate.
Salt Lake Tribune; June 19

High Park fire burns 8 more homes in Colorado
Although the high winds forecast for Monday didn't materialize, the High Park Fire in Colorado moved into an area within its 58,770-acre perimeter than had not previously burned and increased the number of homes lost to the fire to 189.
Denver Post; June 19

Water use in Idaho's Wood River Valley focus of meeting in Sun Valley
At the annual meeting Monday of the Idaho Water Users Association in Sun Valley, the changing dynamics of water use in the Wood River Valley was the topic of concern, as population growth has spurred the use of groundwater and water officials believe the valley will be the next in the state where water calls are made.
Twin Falls Times-News; June 19

Wyoming State Land Board changes policy on coalbed methane leases
A new policy approved by the Wyoming State Land Board at a recent meeting does away with routine extensions of coalbed methane leases that are not in production, and now requires companies seeking such extensions to justify them, and if an extension is given, a review of the reclamation bond will be done to ensure its adequate to cover costs.
Casper Star-Tribune; June 19

Colorado company to supply solar-chargers for Apple iPhone
Ascent Solar Technologies in Thorton will provide 50,000 of its EnerPlex solar charges for the Apple iPhone, a deal reached after the Colorado company unveiled the charger at Intersolar Europe last week.
Denver Post; June 19

Wyoming's ties with China brings 50-100 new jobs to Eleutian Technology
During his recent trip to China, Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead announced that Cody-based Eleutian Technology had signed a contract with China-based New Channel International Education Group for the Wyoming company to teach English online to Chinese students, a contract that will allow Eleutian to hire between 50 and 100 new teachers.
Casper Star-Tribune; June 19

Opinion

 Rocky Mountain Power's rate increase in Wyoming a good compromise
No one wants electricity rates to go up, and the recent deal hammered out between consumer groups, regulatory agencies and Rocky Mountain Power is by no means perfect, but consumers can take advantage of the utility's many programs to save electricity that may help them recoup the estimated 88 cents a month bill increase.
Casper Star-Tribune; June 19

Beyond the region

 At Rio summit, cities take the lead on cutting greenhouse-gas emissions
The United Nations Rio 20+ Conference on sustainable development is expected to draw 50,000, and among attendees are the mayors and other officials of 59 of the world's largest cities will be sharing how those cities plan to cut greenhouse-gas emissions.
Washington Post; June 19

Commerce Dept. reports housing starts increased again in May
A report released by the Commerce Department that said single-family housing starts in May increased 3.2 percent from April, the third consecutive monthly increase reported, which economists said was an indication that the nation's housing market was beginning to improve.
Idaho Statesman (AP); June 19

In depth

 Colorado wildfire burns its way up the classification ladder
The Springer wildfire burning in the Pike National Forest west of Colorado Springs is now estimated to be 1,100 acres in size and was reclassified as a Type 2 wildfire on Tuesday morning, which will bring in additional resources to fight the fire that is zero percent contained.
Colorado Springs Gazette; June 19

Wind-whipped wildfire burns 6 homes in Idaho
A wildfire in Idaho reported at 7:30 p.m. Monday southwest of Mountain Home burned five homes and at least 150 acres within three hours of ignition, driven by winds near 50 mph.
Idaho Statesman (AP); June 19

Strong winds send Wyoming wildfire across hundreds of acres on Monday
A wildfire near Glenrock grew from 600 acres Monday morning to an estimated 2,000 acres by day's end, and residents in the southern portion of Wyoming's Converse County who lived east of the fire were urged to evacuate.
Billings Gazette (AP); June 19

N.M. wildfire burns 100 acres, 4 buildings along San Juan River
A wildfire reported late Monday in northwestern New Mexico quickly moved along a 5-mile stretch of the San Juan River.
Durango Herald (AP); June 19
Mountain West News is a program of the O'Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West
at The University of Montana.
"W hile this seems like the result of election-year politics, I'm pleased by today's announcement. In fact, maybe if we had a presidential election every year we might actually get closer to true energy independence."

U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop, responding to the news the Interior Department had approved Gasco's plan for 1,298 natural gas wells on 3,600 acres on the West Tavaputs Plateau in Eastern Utah.
- Salt Lake Tribune
On The Bookshelf
Barbara Theroux of Fact & Fiction reviews Christine Byl's "Dirt Work: An education in the woods

5/15/2013
Mountain West Perspectives
Study uncovers the restoration realities in Montana


4/15/2013
Mountain West Voices
Hear weekly stories from the Rocky Mountain West as gathered by Clay Scott

5/22/2013:  This Little Journey
5/8/2013:  Making Roots
5/1/2013:  Cancer in the Real World
4/24/2013:  Sheep Country
4/10/2013:  Shearing Sheep

Mountain West News is a program of the O'Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West



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The University of Montana