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Biden taps former Bay Mills president for Indian Affairs post
The White House said Thursday that President Joe Biden will nominate Bryan Newland, who recently completed a term as the tribal president of the Bay Mills Indian Community, an Ojibwe tribe in Michigan, to be assistant secretary for Indian Affairs. He is a graduate of the Michigan State University College of Law, with a certificate […]
Panel splits on regulation of ‘orphaned’ oil and gas wells
Members of a U.S. House Natural Resources panel agreed Thursday on the need to clean up and cap abandoned oil and gas wells, but disagreed along party lines about the extent of the federal government’s role in well regulation. The Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee hearing was held to consider a bill introduced by Rep. Teresa Leger […]
Biden’s budget aims to fight climate change, promote conservation, aid Native Americans
President Joe Biden’s first budget request laid out on Friday reflects the administration’s commitments to advancing conservation and combating climate change, proposing new money across federal agencies to address those issues. Like most domestic programs in Biden’s overall $1.5 trillion budget proposal for fiscal 2022, the recommendations for increased spending on conservation and climate goals […]
Biden taps Native American law expert as top lawyer at Interior
President Joe Biden nominated Native American law expert Robert Anderson, an enrolled member of the Bois Forte Band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, to be solicitor of the Interior Department Wednesday. The move underscored how the administration is putting a priority on placing Native Americans in charge of the agenda at Interior. Last month, Interior […]
Biden administration mum so far on returning gray wolves to endangered species list
A controversial decision in the last months of the Trump administration to remove gray wolves from the endangered species list led to a massive overhunt in Wisconsin this year that Ojibwe tribal representatives said disrespected their wishes. But there’s no indication yet that the Biden administration will attempt to roll back that move, despite an order the […]
Biden pairs ‘down payment’ on climate crisis with rebuilding infrastructure
Updated, 6:04 p.m. with comments from Whitmer The sprawling $2 trillion infrastructure and jobs proposal President Joe Biden laid out Wednesday in Pennsylvania includes significant spending to address climate change, providing what conservationists say is an important “down payment” to address the crisis. A 25-page outline calls for $10 billion for a Civilian Climate Corps, […]
Increases in royalties paid by oil and gas producers, lease rates targeted in Biden review
Interior Department officials indicated last week the Biden administration would change some federal oil and gas policies in an effort to roll back the aggressive fossil fuel agenda of former President Donald Trump. Interior leaders at an online forum Thursday said that rates the oil and gas industry pays for leasing, royalties and bonding could […]
U.S. House panel divides on party lines over how to better conserve public lands
In a preview of the arguments likely to be repeated as the Biden administration and Congress work toward conservation goals, Democrats on a U.S. House panel last week outlined what they say is a need for aggressive action on climate. But Republicans worried increased federal involvement would be counterproductive to conservation goals while hurting rural […]
4 big questions about the feds’ scrutiny of oil and gas leasing on public lands
In his first week in office, President Joe Biden paused new oil and gas leasing on federal lands as his administration reviewed fossil fuel development policy. Now that Interior Secretary Deb Haaland has taken office, the administration is gearing up to begin that process. A forum comprising the energy industry, conservation groups, labor organizations and […]
Haaland confirmation vote for Interior on tap, despite GOP opposition
The Senate is expected to vote within days on the confirmation of U.S. Rep. Debra A. Haaland to lead the Interior Department, despite procedural barriers Republicans from Montana and Wyoming announced Tuesday. Republican Sens. Steve Daines of Montana and Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming placed holds on Haaland’s nomination, meaning the chamber now must take an […]
Biden Interior secretary pick likely to face rocky confirmation hearing
U.S. Senate Republicans may use this week’s Interior confirmation hearing for U.S. Rep. Debra Haaland to air their grievances about the Biden administration’s energy policies, running the risk of alienating Native Americans in Western states. GOP U.S. Sens. John Barrasso of Wyoming and Steve Daines of Montana sit on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, […]
Biden makes Granholm pick for Energy official
President-elect Joe Biden will nominate former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm to head the Energy Department, his presidential transition team said Thursday night. The Democrat also tapped and North Carolina’s top environmental regulator, Michael Regan, to lead the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Rep. Debra A. Haaland to lead the Interior Department. The selections were announced as […]