U.S. Senate Passes Yellowstone Gateway Protection Act, Permanently Protecting Montana’s Paradise Valley
Grassroots organizing wins the protection of some of America’s most iconic landscapes from mining.
News
Wyoming’s “Crimes Against Critical Infrastructure” Bill Threatens Basic Constitutional Rights, and Paves the Way for Corporations to Condemn Landowners Under Eminent Domain
The energy industry-backed “Zombie Bill” is back, threatening to put corporate interests ahead of the well being and livelihoods of Wyoming residents. Written by Joyce Evans and Liza Millett of Powder River Basin Resource Council. Update February 4, 2019: Thanks to the advocacy … Continued
Department of the Interior Recalls 800 Employees to Issue Drilling Permits During Shutdown
DOI gives fossil fuel industry preferential treatment by processing oil and gas drilling permits and leases while safety and environmental review personnel remain furloughed. Since the Government closed on Dec. 22nd, 224 oil well applications have been accepted, 22 drilling … Continued
Interior Takes Aim at Transparency by Gutting Freedom of Information Act
Department of Interior’s proposed modifications to the Freedom of Information Act will make it much harder for the public to access information.
WORC Files Injunction to Stop Secret Royalty Policy Committee Meetings
On January 16th, WORCand Democracy Forward Foundation, argued in federal district court that the U.S. Department of Interior must stop convening any meetings or conducting any further business of the Royalty Policy Committee (RPC) until it balances the committee’s industry-dominated membership, opens secretive subcommittee meetings, and discloses committee-members’ conflicts of interests.
Colorado Oil and Gas Activists Hopeful, Despite Ballot Defeat
Voters in Colorado may have given the state its best opportunity in decades to take on an entrenched oil and gas industry.
Coal Train Derailment Offers Lesson on Danger of Fossil Fuel on Rails
Between proposed coal export terminals and expanding oil production, more fuel is on the rails than ever–with potentially disastrous consequences.
Western Native Voice Community Spotlight: Jade Bahr & Barbara Bessette
Meet Jade Bahr and Barbara Bessette, Montana’s newly elected urban Native women legislators. This month, Western Native Voice Community Spotlight focuses on the Montana Legislature and two recently elected urban Native women, Jade Bahr of Billings and Barbara Bessette of … Continued
Current State of Coal Industry and Mineral Tax Collection Creates a Tax Time-bomb
These four tax collection reforms could save Wyoming counties millions in unpaid taxes.
Youth Voter Interns Boost Voter Registration
Colorado high school students are breaking voter registration records and having fun doing it. Written by Jeriel Clark of Western Colorado Alliance. Starting with 15 interns this summer, our Western Slope Youth Voter Initiative has since doubled in size to … Continued