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BLM Finalizes Oil and Gas Rule

Expert BlogUnited StatesJosh Axelrod
The Bureau of Land Management finalized its onshore oil and gas rule to hold industry accountable for cleanup, limit speculation, and improve taxpayer returns.

Rule to Cut Methane Waste From Federal Oil and Gas

Expert BlogUnited StatesJosh Axelrod
The Bureau of Land Management published a final methane waste rule that will compliment EPA’s national effort to target emissions of a potent greenhouse gas.

Oil by Rail Schemes Hit with Setbacks, Delays

Expert BlogUnited StatesJosh Axelrod
Two oil-by-rail projects carrying Uinta Basin crude oil aimed for transport beside the Colorado River are facing growing headwinds, with the Wildcat Loadout expansion now paused and the Uinta Basin Railway losing another key permit.

A New Colorado River Threat

Expert BlogUnited StatesJosh Axelrod, Zanagee Artis
The Wildcat Loadout expansion could load 100,000 barrels of oil per day onto trains traveling beside the Colorado River and destined for Gulf Coast Refineries.

House Majority Tries to Sell the Country to Big Oil, Again

Expert BlogUnited StatesJosh Axelrod, Valerie Cleland
In their latest legislative attack on our climate, Republicans in the House have released a proposal so detrimental to our environment and communities, it may rank as the worst appropriations bill in decades.

Colorado River Carbon Bomb: Utah's Uinta Railway Project

Expert BlogUnited States, UtahJosh Axelrod
Backers of a proposed crude-by-rail project in northeastern Utah—which would unleash a carbon bomb potentially larger than the controversial Willow Project—want taxpayer support to the tune of $2 billion.

Amid Record Profits, Big Oil Ignores Consumers, Climate

Expert BlogInternationalJosh Axelrod
As financial results continue to roll in for 2022, oil and gas majors are recording record profits, doling out massive rewards to shareholders, remaining on the sidelines of the battle against inflation, and failing to invest in the energy transition.

Another Round of Oil & Gas Leasing, With Rules Still M.I.A.

Expert BlogUnited States, WestJosh Axelrod

With nearly 325,000 acres across five states now up for potential leasing in Spring 2023, the BLM continues to move forward with largely unfettered onshore oil and gas leasing on federal public lands despite the escalating climate crisis. 

O&G Leasing on Horizon Brings Calls for Immediate Reforms

Expert BlogUnited StatesJosh Axelrod

Today, in two separate requests to the administration, groups are calling for the Department of the Interior (DOI) to finally deliver on long-promised reforms to the antiquated onshore oil and gas program. Despite numerous calls from government watchdogs, an executive…

Interior Moves Forward with Oil & Gas Leasing

Expert BlogUnited StatesJosh Axelrod, Valerie Cleland
The Biden administration has made clear its intent to fix the broken system for leasing public lands. Today’s announcement is a reminder of how pressing it is to make those reforms happen.

Big Oil Hits Cash Gusher While Consumers Take Hit

Expert BlogUnited StatesJosh Axelrod, Sujatha Bergen
Six of the biggest oil companies with operations in the U.S. raked in nearly $50 billion dollars in just three months, according to a new set of earnings reports.

Public Lands on Offer to Polluters Again

Expert BlogUnited StatesJosh Axelrod

Amid escalating climate chaos, the Biden administration holds its first onshore oil and gas lease sales since taking office this week.

We Can’t Drill Our Way Out of High Prices

Expert BlogUnited States, InternationalJosh Axelrod
The oil industry is using Russia's invasion of Ukraine to steer us toward policies that would lock in decades of dangerous and unnecessary oil and gas development that do nothing to make us energy independent or lower energy prices.

DOI Announces Major Funds for Abandoned Coal Mine Cleanup

Expert BlogUnited States, East, WestJosh Axelrod
The Department of the Interior has announced $725 million for states to reclaim abandoned mine lands polluted by the legacy of coal mining; funds that will support significant job creation and critical environmental remediation.