Interior proposal would block oil shale development on federal lands in West

The Hill ^ | 11/9/12 | Zack Colman

[Evil Slayer]

The Interior Department on Friday issued a final plan to close 1.6 million acres of federal land in the West originally slated for oil shale development.

The proposed plan would fence off a majority of the initial blueprint laid out in the final days of the George W. Bush administration. It faces a 30-day protest period and a 60-day process to ensure it is consistent with local and state policies. After that, the department would render a decision for implementation.

The move is sure to rankle Republicans, who say President Obama’s grip on fossil fuel drilling in federal lands is too tight.

Interior’s Bureau of Land Management cited environmental concerns for the proposed changes. Among other things, it excised lands with “wilderness characteristics” and areas that conflicted with sage grouse habitats.

Under the plan, 677,000 acres in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming would be open for oil shale exploration. Another 130,000 acres in Utah would be set aside for tar sands production.

The administration and Democrats said that while the plan would curtail what was originally sought for oil shale development, it still opens up a significant amount of land that was previously unavailable for the energy production method.

"The proposed plan supports the Administration’s all-of-the-above approach to explore the full potential our nation’s domestic energy resources and to develop innovative technology and techniques that will lead to safe and responsible production of resources, including oil shale and tar sands, which industry recognizes are years from being commercially viable, but require RD&D [research, development and demonstration] today," Interior spokesman Blake Androff said.

[null and void]

...unexpectedly...

[afraidfortherepublic]

A lady cannot post what I am thinking...

[TexasTransplant]

Good thing Texas has very little % of Federal Land

We (have) and will do our part...

TT

(Glad I chose Texas 17 years ago... it was a toss-up Texas or Alaska and it was 80 deg today here in Texas)

[jazusamo]

Sadly the BLM higher up positions have been filled with enviro-nazis that now want to close lands that have “wilderness characteristics.”

All federal lands not already designated National Parks, Forests or Monuments should be turned over to the states and developed for resources.

[Gator113]

I thought the president was going to open federal lands and move to make us energy independent..... wait... oops, that would have been President Romney.

Just movin’ Forward....

[VeniVidiVici]

Under the plan, 677,000 acres in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming would be open for oil shale exploration. Another 130,000 acres in Utah would be set aside for tar sands production.

Don't tell me. I'm betting the acreage Bammy is giving up is probably an area the oil companies have already decided is not viable for shale production.

[TexasTransplant]

**** “Sadly the BLM higher up positions have been filled with enviro-nazis that now want to close lands that have “wilderness characteristics.” *****

Back in the day I set chokers for Loggers in or on lands like that ... Hunters bypassed those Wilderness areas because just like the Hunters the Game always chose the path of least resistance (roads and new cleared areas) and the Game Population (for Tree Huggers that means Animals) just exploded ... unfortunately over the years the Tree Huggers have won and those lands are now Off Limits.

Now they have Gates and Patrols to keep people out, back in those days they would let me cut Firewood, Camp, Hunt, Fish, Dirtbike and 4 wheel to my hearts content.
My Children will never know what it was like and to see all of that Nature, all because of the Tree Huggers wanting to “Save Nature” and then I guess keep it a big Secret that only those with some College Grant and connections can ever experience... maybe it sells more “Nature Movies / Shows” but is still sucks for my kids. Movies are one thing but being there and smelling, seeing, feeling, experiencing and living in those environs cannot be reproduced on a flat screen.

I miss the Great Northwest and Freedom (and the Sanity of the Society that I was raised in)

TT

[jazusamo]

You said it all and very well in a few words, TT.

What good are these lands if the BLM shuts them down and keeps people off them for the “better good” that the enviro-nazis constantly try to persuade our lawmakers to enact laws for.

I spent many days each year in Eastern Oregon hunting and experiencing those sights, sounds and smells without seeing another human being or even hearing their sounds. Our kids have experienced some of it but I fear my grandkids and great grandkids will never have the privilege of the same experiences.

[TexasTransplant]

I was in Western Oregon ... the Cascades ... Great Place to be a kid in the 60’s and 70’s.

When I was younger it was on Horseback... hit my teens it was a Dirtbike... I will forever be blessed with those memories and then I’m cursed with the knowledge / reality that my kids never got to and did not experience a long ride (adventure), spring water and a simple camp meal then in the morning shaking off the frost from your sleeping bag and frying up just caught Trout over the camp fire.

TT

(I want a Time Machine!)