Hickenlooper’s Misdeed #1 – the Anadarko-Noble Loophole

2013-06-28

Governor John Hickenlooper complained about critics saying he is too close to the drilling industry in Colorado. “I am constantly attacked now for being in the pocket of oil and gas, or somehow subservient to their philosophy or their wish,” he said at a lecture last month. The Governor shouldn’t be surprised about his well-earned… Read more »

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Our weekly wrap on the top 5 energy stories for the week of June 24th

2013-06-28

1. La Plata Co. Commissioners call for Colorado BLM to adopt smart approach to oil & gas development La Plata County Commissioners sent a letter to Colorado BLM Director Helen Hankins, urging that her office engage in better land use planning, before offering leases to oil and gas companies. They did so out of concern… Read more »

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A Balanced Approach to Drilling on Public Lands

2013-06-27

**Cross-posted from The Huffington Post** By Ellis Richard As a life-long Westerner, and former National Park Service ranger, I’ve spent a lot of time in and around some of America’s most treasured places. I dedicated my career to protecting these parks. The future of our national parks, and all of the great open spaces of… Read more »

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Our weekly wrap on the top 5 energy stories for the week of June 17th

2013-06-21

Here are the top five energy stories the Checks and Balances Project was tracking for the week of June 17th. Stories included a new campaign to put conservation on equal ground with oil and gas drilling; our blog on the oil and gas industry’s new PR campaign; an effort by sportsmen to protect backcountry lands… Read more »

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Industry’s new leaf?

2013-06-19

Maybe the oil and gas lobby’s latest efforts should strike hope in the hearts of Coloradans. Are they turning over a new leaf and willing to balance energy development with conservation interests? Maybe … maybe not. From Colorado Oil and Gas Association Director Tisha Schuller’s “charm offensive” to Western Energy Alliance President Tim Wigely’s “poll… Read more »

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New survey proves Westerners want conservation on equal ground with drilling

2013-06-17

Today, the Center for American Progress (CAP) announced new public opinion research that illustrates the stark gap between Washington’s public land use priorities – heavily weighted toward pro-development policies – and what Westerners believe is an appropriate balance between oil and gas drilling and protecting treasured landscapes for future generations. This new research clearly shows… Read more »

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Updated: Sec. Jewell brings home a trophy from Senate committee hearing

2013-06-6

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmvaZwHNinc] One of the oil industry’s best friends in Congress imploded a standard GOP/industry talking point yesterday when, in the face of Sec. Sally Jewell’s facts, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) admitted that oil production is up on public lands. Watch the exchange! # # # Secretary of Interior Sally Jewell showed up at today’s… Read more »

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For House Republicans, the season of oil and gas giveaways has begun

2013-06-6

As reported by Politico’s Andrew Restuccia, Tuesday, House Republicans will spend the summer trying to breathe new life into tired ideas filled with industry giveaways. It’s no wonder given these politicians receive huge contributions from the oil and gas industry. Ironically, these “conservatives” want more mandates and quotas for oil companies while also cutting common… Read more »

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