Our weekly update to unravel the industry and political spin around the energy debate
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
OIL SHALE – A CENTURY-OLD SCIENCE FICTION STORY
After nearly a century of oil shale being ‘just around the corner’ from development, it has failed to become a viable energy resource. In a new report, The Checks and Balances Project back to the 1910’s as Sen. Barrasso (R-WY), Rep. Bishop (R-UT-01), Chairman Doc Hastings and others continue to push it as a viable solution to current high gas prices.
SPEAKING OF JOHN BARRASSO…
In a new profile on wyofile.com, former Washington Post reporter John Lancaster reviews the handful of years Wyoming’s junior senator has spent on the hill. Lancaster highlights Barrasso’s noticeable change on climate change and environmental policy, including the commitment he’s shown to the oil and gas industries who fund his campaigns.
SALT LAKE TRIBUNE SLAMS SENS. HATCH AND LEE FOR BUYING SNAKE OIL
Utahans have a lot to be concerned about considering both Sens. Orrin Hatch and Mike Lee appear determined to support dirty energy. Utahans alone pay $141 million a year in tax breaks to oil and gas companies. And both Hatch and Lee sponsored Senator Barrasso’s new government public lands handout to oil and gas, the so-called American Energy and Western Jobs Act. The Salt Lake Tribune said they should be “ashamed of themselves for buying the snake oil.”
DID YOU KNOW?
While visiting a coal industry group in Kentucky, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) slammed the Environmental Protection Agency, saying it had “declared war on coal.” The Huffington Post reports that “McConnell is the top recipient in Congress with campaign contributions from the coal-mining industry,” adding up to $485,000 during his time in office.
COMING UP THIS WEEK
THREATS FACING AMERICA’S LAND, WATER AND WILDLIFE
On Wednesday, June 8, Former Interior Secretary and Arizona Governor Bruce Babbitt will be at the National Press Club to discuss the urgent threats facing America’s land, water and wildlife. According to the announcement from the Conservation Lands Foundation, “At this critical juncture for our public lands, House leaders in Washington, D.C. are working to fundamentally undermine the nation’s environmental laws. Secretary Babbitt will provide a critical take on many recent policy decisions and missed opportunities.”
Secretary Babbitt begins speaking at 1:00 PM. A live webcast is available for those who cannot attend. For more information, contact Danielle Murray at danielle@conservationlands.org.
CONTACT
Twitter: @checksandbals | Email: tips@checksandbalances.org
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