Natural Resources

"Oil drilling in a vast Alaskan wildlife refuge moved a step closer to reality on Wednesday after the U.S. Senate energy and natural resources panel voted 13-10 to open part of the r eserve coveted by conservationists."

"Bernadette Demientieff says it is a 'very scary time' for the Gwich'in indigenous nation as proposed US budget legislation would open a key section of a nearly 20-million acre wildlife refuge in the Arctic up to oil-and-gas development."

"Irreplaceable cultural resources in New Mexico are among those areas targeted for expedited drilling – and conservationists say it’s ‘like losing pages and chapters of that history book’."

"You scroll through your friend's Instagram feed and see the most beautiful setting, and think: 'I want to go there.' And so you do. According to travel photographer Brent Knepper, you are part of the problem."

"A Senate Committee is scheduled to consider legislation next week opening the door to oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR)."

"A House panel today approved legislation to increase energy development on public lands and waters by reducing federal regulations, streamlining the permitting process and creating a revenue-sharing partnership with coastal states."

"Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Lisa Murkowksi (R-Alaska) released legislation Wednesday that would open Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling for the first time in a generation by calling for at least two major lease sales over the next decade."

"Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) has put a hold on all four pending Interior Department nominees over the Trump administration’s plans to potentially shrink multiple national monuments."

"Key Interior Department vacancies have lingered for an unusually long time, leaving Secretary Ryan Zinke's management team problematically short-handed."

"Gov. Scott Walker plans to sign a Republican bill lifting Wisconsin’s nearly 20-year ban on gold and silver mining — a ban he himself helped put in place as a legislator."