PHOENIX -- Members of the Gwich’in Nation, who have relied on the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for survival for millennia, are traveling from the Arctic across the desert Southwest to raise the alarm about urgent threats facing the Arctic Refuge. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is one of the world’s last untouched wild places. Now, much like public lands across the Southwest, it’s facing the greatest threats in decades.
Washington, DC -- Today, the U.S. Senate defeated a vote that would have paved the way for revoking the Bureau of Land Management’s methane waste prevention rule, a standard which would prevent the leaking and flaring of methane from oil and gas operations on public and tribal lands. Senator Michael Bennet voted against the bill while Senator Cory Gardner voted in favor of nullifying the rule.
Washington, DC -- Today, the U.S. Senate defeated a vote that would have paved the way for revoking the Bureau of Land Management’s methane waste prevention rule, a standard which would prevent the leaking and flaring of methane from oil and gas operations on public and tribal lands. Senator John McCain voted against the bill while Senator Jeff Flake voted in favor of nullifying the rule.
In response, Sierra Club Arizona Chapter Director Sandy Bahr released the following statement:
Washington, DC -- Today, the U.S. Senate voted down a vote that would have paved the way for revoking the Bureau of Land Management’s methane waste prevention rule, a standard which would prevent the leaking and flaring of methane from oil and gas operations on public and tribal lands. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto voted against the bill while Senator Dean Heller voted in favor of nullifying the rule.
Washington, DC -- Today, every Senate Democrat and three Senate Republicans voted against a procedural vote that would have paved the way for revoking the Bureau of Land Management’s methane waste prevention rule, a standard which would prevent the leaking and flaring of methane from oil and gas operations on public and tribal lands. The three Senate Republicans voting against the bill were Senators Susan Collins, Lindsay Graham and, John McCain.
MOAB, UTAH -- Interior Secretary Zinke is visiting Utah this week, with a tour of Bears Ears National Monument arranged for today and a stop at Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument planned for later in the week. The visit follows an Executive Order from President Trump directing the Department of the Interior to review national monuments to determine where protections could be rolled back.
WASHINGTON, DC -- More than 450 organizations representing millions of members across the country today sent a letter to President Donald Trump, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross in opposition to any effort to remove or decrease protections for any national monuments.
Washington, DC -- Today, Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of the Interior to review the 2017-2022 Outer Continental Oil and Gas leasing program. According to Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, the process will take two years. Trump will also order a review of marine monuments and existing offshore drilling regulations including the blowout preventer rule, put into place after the Deepwater Horizon disaster to prevent similar tragedies from occurring.
MOAB, UT. -- Today Donald Trump issued an Executive Order requiring the Department of the Interior to determine whether or not to shrink or otherwise modify existing national monuments across the country. The Order requires the Department of the Interior to review large landscape national monuments designated through use of the Antiquities Act since 1996, including Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. The Bears Ears National Monument in Utah will receive special attention.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today Donald Trump is expected to issue an Executive Order requiring the Department of the Interior to determine whether or not to shrink or otherwise modify existing national monuments across the country. The Order is reported to require the Department of the Interior to review large landscape national monuments designated through use of the Antiquities Act since 1996. The Bears Ears National Monument in Utah will receive special attention.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Senate today confirmed Gov. Sonny Perdue as head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In addition to farming, agriculture, and food programs, the U.S.D.A. is responsible for the nation’s forests, including the U.S. Forest Service.
In response, Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune released the following statement: