Media Statements and Letters from WLN
4/19/24: Public lands
Real Vail: Environmental group praises new BLM rule elevating conservation uses
Gillette News Record: Wyoming groups react to new public lands rule
Kemmerer Gazette: Officials react to new public lands rule
4/18/24: public lands
4/12/24: oil and gas
Media Statement: WLN applauds Interior Department rule modernizing royalty rates
3/27/24: methane
Media Statement: WLN supports BLM methane rule, urges swift implementation and enforcement
1/9/24: methane
Letter: WLN supports EPA methane rule and Methane Emissions Reduction Program
12/2/23: methane
Media Statement: WLN applauds EPA methane rule, urges swift implementation and enforcement
9/22/23: oil and gas
Letter: WLN supports BLM proposal to modernize federal oil and gas leasing program
7/26/23: methane
Media Statement: WLN celebrates new cabinet-level Methane Task Force
7/21/23: methane
Media Statement: WLN applauds passage of Colorado’s latest rule to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
7/5/23: public lands
Letter: WLN calls on BLM to strengthen proposed Conservation and Landscape Health Rule
3/21/23: public lands
Media Statement: President Biden designates nation’s newest national monuments in Nevada and Texas
2/13/23: methane
Letter: WLN urges EPA to strengthen methane proposal
Media Statement: WLN urges EPA to strengthen methane proposal
1/30/23: methane
Letter: WLN urges BLM to strengthen methane proposal
1/12/23: methane
Media Statement: WLN urges EPA to adopt strongest possible methane regulations
12/5/22: public lands
Letter: WLN urges U.S. Senators to confirm Laura Daniel-Davis to Interior position
11/30/22: public lands
Media Statement: Biden to designate Avi Kwa Ame National Monument
11/28/22: methane
Media statement: BLM methane rule strong start, must go further to protect communities
11/11/22: methane
Media statement: EPA releases updated rule to reduce methane emissions
10/12/22: public lands
8/12/22: climate
5/18/22: climate
4/25/22: oil and gas
Colorado local elected officials thank Governor Polis, COGCC for financial assurance rules
4/22/22: climate
4/14/22: oil and gas
Media Release: New Mexico adopts nation-leading rules to cut oil and gas pollution
4/5/22: 30x30
The Farmington Daily Times: Conservation groups respond to San Juan County’s anti-30x30 resolution
3/24/22: 30x30
Colorado leaders send letter to Governor Polis supporting 30x30 objective for Colorado
2/22/22: oil and gas
2/3/22: PUBLIC LANDS
Letter: WLN supports confirmation of Laura Daniel-Davis for Interior position
1/31/22: methane
Letter: 168 tribal, local and state elected officials call on EPA to strengthen methane proposal
1/25/22: oil and gas
Media release: Western leaders highlight investments, jobs and climate action created by REGROW Act
1/14/22: oil and gas
12/1/21: mining
Letter: Local and tribal elected officials call for reforms to the hardrock mining industry
11/22/21: oil and gas
11/19/21: public lands
Letter: WLN supports confirmation of Martha Williams as Director of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
10/26/21: oil and gas
10/15/21: public lands
9/30/21: public lands
Senate confirms Tracy Stone-Manning as BLM Director
Media release: WLN applauds confirmation of Stone-Manning to lead BLM
8/25/21: 30x30
7/29/21: climate
7/28/21: SALMON RESTORATION
Media release: WLN calling on Congress to support salmon restoration initiative
7/19/21: salmon restoration
WLN letter to Congressman Mike Simpson supporting the Columbia Basin Initiative
6/25/21: METHANE
Media release: WLN applauds House vote to reinstate EPA methane pollution protections
6/23/21: methane
Letter to U.S. Representatives
5/7/21: methane
Durango Herald: Will a new methane rule have any impact on Four Corners hot spot?
5/6/21: 30x30
Media release: WLN applauds President Biden’s 30x30 goal
4/28/21: methane
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel: Senate to consider reversing limits on EPA methane regs
4/27/21: 30x30
4/20/21: methane
3/17/21: 30x30
Colorado local elected officials respond to misinformation on 30x30
3/15/21: DOI
Media statement: WLN supports historic confirmation of Secretary Haaland to lead Interior
3/2/21: oil and gas
Media release: WLN supports U.S. House bills to reform federal oil and gas leasing system
2/22/21: doi
WLN sends letter of support for Deb Haaland to lead the Department of the Interior
WLN sends letter of support for New Mexico Climate Solutions Act
2/18/21: methane
Media release: WLN applauds Colorado pneumatics rule to reduce methane pollution
2/3/21: epa
WLN sends letter of support for Michael Regan to lead the Environmental Protection Agency
1/27/21: climate
Media release: WLN applauds Biden administration for climate orders
1/19/21: climate
10/9/20: methane
9/25/20: oil and gas
Colorado passes rule to increase emissions monitoring
9/22/20: oil and gas
Senator Bennet introduces bill to clean up orphaned oil and gas wells
Western Leaders Network statement on Senator Bennet bonding bill to address orphaned wells
9/15/20: methane
20 states sue EPA over federal methane rule rollback
8/27/20: methane
All Pueblo Council of Governors passes resolution supporting New Mexico methane rulemakings
8/27/20: 1872 mining law
All Pueblo Council of Governors passes resolution supporting 1872 Mining Law reforms
8/14/20: methane
EPA scraps federal methane rule
7/30/20: oil and gas
Letter urging Congress to reform oil and gas fiscal policies
7/22/20: oil and gas
New Mexico releases draft rules to address oil and gas emissions
7/15/20: methane
A federal judge halts Trump administration rollback of BLM methane rule
6/30/20: methane
6/18/20: oil and gas
6/17/20: public lands
Senate passes Great American Outdoors Act
6/15/20: oil and gas
Western Leaders Network thanks Gov. Polis for well integrity rulemakings
5/7/20: oil and gas
5/6/20: public lands
4/29/20: oil and gas
3/24/20: climate
3/24/20: methane
Local government coalitions rebuke challenge to clean air, climate protections
3/11/20: nepa
The Hill: 18 states ask Trump administration to withdraw NEPA rollback
3/10/20: water
High Country News: This year, tribes enter negotiations over Colorado River water
2/25/20: 1872 mining law
La Plata County, Colorado, passes board resolution supporting mining law reforms
2/19/20: greater sage grouse
E&E News: BLM pushes to lift order blocking sage grouse plans
2/19/20: methane
New York Times: Oil and gas may be a far bigger climate threat than we knew
2/16/20: 1872 mining law
Albuquerque Journal: Federal mining reform gets county support
2/11/20: 1872 Mining law
Santa Fe County, New Mexico, passes board resolution in support of mining law reforms
1/10/20: public lands
Western Leaders Network statement opposing rollback of NEPA
12/30/19: methane
12/20/19: methane
New Mexico’s Methane Advisory Panel releases draft technical report for public comment
12/17/19: methane
The Denver Post: Debate on emissions controls on oil and gas reveals divides across Colorado
12/16/19: 1872 mining law
Boulder County, Colorado, passes board resolution supporting mining law reforms
11/25/19: methane
Western Leaders Network letter to EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler, opposing methane rule rollbacks
11/19/19: 1872 Mining law
Tohono O’odham Nation, San Xavier District, passes board resolution supporting mining law reforms
10/19/19: methane
The Durango Herald: Clearing the Four Corners methane cloud
10/8/19: 1872 Mining law
Blaine County, Idaho, passes board resolution supporting mining law reforms
9/24/19: public lands
8/29/19: methane
Western Leaders Network statement opposing EPA rollback of methane standards
New York Times: EPA to roll back regulations on methane, a potent greenhouse gas
8/22/19: methane
Taos Town Councilor Nathaniel Evans: Capture methane, generate funds for New Mexico students
8/16/19: public lands
8/13/19: methane
Farmington Daily Times: Navajo community members urge state to follow through on methane regulations
8/2/19: greater sage grouse
Albany County Commissioner Pete Gosar: Interior plan sells out sage grouse habitat
7/26/19: methane
Farmington Daily Times: Durango, Aztec mayors call for tough methane regulations
The Durango Herald: This methane monster can’t see state borders
7/18/19: energy
Letter to Congressmen Raul Grijalva, Rob Bishop
6/26/19: energy
Tom Udall, Senators introduce renewable electricity standard legislation
6/20/19: methane
Lawmakers challenge Trump roll back of methane waste prevention rule
6/12/19: greater sage grouse
4/14/19: public lands
Durango Herald: Wilderness bill gains momentum, lacks congressional bipartisan support
4/9/19: public lands
Gardner, Manchin lead bipartisan bill to permanently fund LWCF
3/19/19: water
3/15/19: greater sage grouse
3/13/19: public lands
2/12/19: public lands
The Hill: Senate votes to extend key mechanism for parks
2/11/19: oil and gas
The Aspen Times: West Slope officials push for stricter air quality regulations
Vail Daily: Local conservation leaders celebrate public lands win, push for cleaner air
Durango Herald: Western Slope leaders call for stricter regulations on oil, gas pollution
1/25/19: oil and gas
Aztec Mayor Victor Snover: Balancing energy economies and healthy communities
1/10/19: greater sage grouse
BLM extends deadline to challenge revisions to the Obama-era greater sage-grouse management plans
12/17/18: methane
12/16/18: greater sage grouse
Chris Giunchigliani: Bureau of Land Management shouldn’t mess with sage-grouse deal
12/7/18: greater sage grouse
New York Times: Trump plans major rollback of sage grouse protections to spur oil exploration
Federal Register: Environmental Impact Statements, notice of availability
BLM: links to final environmental impact statements
11/29/18: public lands
Utah’s Grand Staircase-Escalante faces an uncertain future as the public comment period ends
11/19/18: public lands
10/18/18: public lands
Letter: Local, elected officials urge Colorado U.S. Senators to permanently protect LWCF
Press release: Local Colorado electeds send letter to Sens. Bennet, Gardner urging action on LWCF
Board resolution: Gilpin County Commission supports permanent reauthorization of LWCF
Board resolution: Wheat Ridge City Council supports permanent reauthorization of LWCF
10/14/18: methane
Joan May: The Interior Department is hurting Colorado’s air quality
10/5/18: Greater sage grouse
Boise State Public Radio: Forest Service advances changes to sage grouse protections
9/18/18: methane
Western Leaders Network statement on finalization of BLM methane rule rollback
Bureau of Land Management: final rule
9/11/18: methane
New York Times: Trump administration wants to make it easier to release methane into the air
Western Leaders Network statement on EPA methane standards rollback
9/4/18: greater sage grouse
Wyoming to stick with sage grouse requirements
8/16/18: public lands
Proposed management plans for Utah monuments released, draw criticism
U.S. Bureau of Land Management: management plans for former Bears Ears National Monument
8/9/18: public lands
Tim Corrigan: Public lands are region's lifeblood
8/2/18: greater sage grouse
Colorado local elected officials send letter to BLM opposing weakened protections for sage grouse
8/1/18: methane
Aztec mayor opposes BLM methane rule rollback
7/28/18: greater sage grouse
Daniel Corona: Keep sage-grouse plan in place
6/20/18: greater sage grouse
E&E News: Forest Service looks to follow BLM, revise Obama-era sage grouse plans
U.S. Forest Service: Notice of Intent
5/4/18: greater sage grouse
Trump administration moves to weaken protections for the greater sage-grouse
4/23/18: methane
4/12/18: methane
Western Leaders Network's April 12, 2018 letter to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke
3/26/18: EPA BUDGET
Congress approves spending bill that restores EPA funding
Western Leaders Network statement on EPA budget
3/19/18: statement on effort to recall gwen lachelt
Western Leaders Network board statement on effort to recall Gwen Lachelt
2/23/18: methane
Federal court overturns Trump administration's delay of BLM methane waste rule
Western Leaders Network statement on federal court ruling against methane waste rule delay
2/12/18: methane
Western Leaders Network statement on proposal to repeal BLM methane waste rule
1/16/18: public lands
BLM launches effort on new management plans for Grand Staircase, Bears Ears
Western Leaders Network statement on BLM announcement to proceed with new management plans
1/2/18: greater sage grouse
Revised BLM policy loosens restrictions on oil and gas development in sage-grouse habitat
12/14/17: EPA budget
Why we need EPA funding: Western Leaders explain the importance of EPA funding to local communities
12/7/17: methane
Bureau of Land Management finalizes delay of requirements within its methane waste rule
Western Leaders Network issues statement on methane rule delay
Western Leaders Network methane factsheet
11/30/17: public lands
Western Leaders Network holds press conference on economic importance of national monuments
11/6/17: methane
Western Leaders Network's Nov. 6 , 2017 letter to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke
10/27/17: public lands
10/19/17: GREATER SAGE GROUSE
Western Leaders Network report: federal funding for sage-grouse management benefits Western states
10/4/17: methane
Western Leaders Network statement on Trump administration’s one-year stay of BLM methane waste rule
9/28/17: GREATER SAGE GROUSE
New York Times -- "Interior Department to overhaul Obama's sage-grouse protection plan"
Western Leaders Network statement on Interior's intended overhaul of sage-grouse management plans
9/22/17: GREATER SAGE GROUSE
Western Leaders Network's Sept. 22, 2017 letter to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke
9/21/17: public lands
E&E News -- "Analysis points out what Zinke failed to tell Trump"
The Durango Herald -- "Lopez-Whiteskunk: Washing away gains of Bears Ears"
9/18/17: public lands
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke's memorandum on national monuments
8/24/17: public lands
Western Leaders Network's Aug. 24, 2017 letter to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke
The Department of the Interior releases summary report on national monuments
6/22/17: news coverage of western leaders network
6/12/17: public lands
Western Leaders Network issues statement on Secretary Zinke's Bears Ears report
Secretary Zinke's interim Bears Ears report
6/5/17: methane
The Hill -- Greens sue EPA over paused Obama methane pollution regulation
5/23/17: public lands
County commissioners sign letter to Zinke supporting Colorado public lands
5/19/17: methane
Western Leaders Network response to Denver Post editorial regarding Sen. Gardner methane vote
5/10/17: methane
New York Times -- "In win for environmentalists, Senate keeps an Obama-era climate change rule
Press conference on BLM methane waste rule
5/5/17: public lands
Western Leaders Network statement on protecting Bears Ears and national monuments
4/28/17: methane
Western Leaders Network's April 26, 2017 letter to Congress
Albuquerque Journal -- guest column, "Senate should save methane rule"
Pueblo Chieftain -- guest column, "BLM methane rule needs to stay in effect"
NPR -- "Inside the debate over repealing curbs on methane leaks"
E&E News -- "Repeal of BLM methane rule will pass Senate -- Barrasso"
Politico, Morning Energy -- "Barrasso eyes methane vote 'next week'"
3/21/17: methane
Repeal of Methane Waste Rule Stalls – The Hill, March 21, 2017
Conservation Economics Institute review of arguments against methane waste rule
News Release: Western Elected Officials Call on Senate to Defend BLM Methane Waste Rule
Western Leaders Network's letter to Congress
News coverage of Methane Waste Rule letter:
E&E News Greenwire – "Western local leaders urge Senate not to kill methane rule"
Editorials supporting methane waste rule:
Latest news on methane waste rule:
Waste is not conservative. That is why conservative presidents from Theodore Roosevelt to Ronald Reagan made fighting waste a priority. Both presidents believed that conservation was essential to keeping America strong.
Las Vegas Sun, February 15, 2017 Methane Rule Will Benefit Nevadans
Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting and the Outdoors (HECHO) and the Hispanic Access Foundation have launched a partnership asking Hispanic residents across Nevada to join our West-wide effort to cut natural gas waste and air pollution. We can only protect taxpayers and the health of all Westerners if we work together, join hands across state lines, and call on all Western leaders to put an end to natural gas waste.
Sumter Item (South Carolina), February 15, 2017 Seeking Sen. Graham's Leadership on Energy
Anyone who cares about conserving the gifts of God's creation, responsible fiscal stewardship, public health and climate change should know this is a moral issue of national concern. The rule requires oil and gas operations on public and tribal lands to conserve methane, which is the primary ingredient in natural gas. The rule requires companies to use proven technologies to plug leaks and capture excess methane to sell it, instead of vent and flare it irretrievably into the atmosphere.