DENVER—A new report from the Center for Western Priorities found that in 2019, oil and gas companies reported nearly 3,000 drilling-related spills in the Mountain West’s three top producing states. In Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming, companies reported a total of 2,811 spills, releasing 23,600 barrels of crude oil and 170,223 barrels of produced water—an average of 2,716 gallons of crude oil and 19,587 gallons of produced water per day.
This report is the latest addition to the Center for Western Priorities’ ongoing tracking of oil and gas-related spills in the Mountain West. Colorado and New Mexico make spill information public and Wyoming provided the information by request. The Center for Western Priorities obtained 2019 data from each of these states and quantified what materials were spilled and which operators were responsible in order to better inform the public on drilling impacts.
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“With their ‘energy dominance’ agenda, the Trump administration is trying to ramp up drilling across the West. Our analysis shows the continued impact of drilling on our land, water, and communities,” said Jesse Prentice-Dunn, Policy Director at the Center for Western Priorities. “With nearly eight oil and gas spills reported a day in these three states, there is clearly a need for sustained enforcement of public health and environmental safeguards throughout the drilling process.”
Key statistics from the Center for Western Priorities’ analysis:
In Colorado, oil and gas companies reported 636 spills in 2019, a 7 percent increase from the year prior and a 58 percent increase since 2012. Last year companies reported releases totaling 28,507 barrels of produced water and 1,998 barrels of oil within the state, more than double the 12,841 barrels of produced water and 926 barrels of oil reported spilled in 2018.
In New Mexico, companies reported 1,352 spills in 2019, an 11 percent decrease from the year prior. Despite the decline in the number of reported spills, reported volumes of methane and produced water increased significantly. Reported natural gas leaks released 812 million cubic feet of methane in 2019, more than three times as much as in 2018. That is the equivalent of the annual emissions of 9,457 cars, or burning over 49 million pounds of coal.
In Wyoming, oil and gas companies reported 823 spills in 2019, a 15 percent increase from the year prior and a 31 percent increase since 2015. Last year companies reported releases totaling 39,653 barrels of produced water and 6,687 barrels of oil within the state, compared to the 70,189 barrels of produced water and 6,502 barrels of oil reported spilled in 2018.
In Colorado, over 60 percent of reported spills (398) were within 1,500 feet of a building, 47 percent (297) were within 1,000 feet of surface water, and 81 percent (517) were within a mile of a water well.
In New Mexico, reported spills have increased by 45 percent over the past seven years, from 934 spills to 1,352 spills. This increase is concentrated in two counties—Lea and Eddy—that lie in the Permian Basin, which accounted for 87 percent of New Mexico’s reported spills last year.
In Wyoming, reported spills were dispersed throughout the state, with only three counties not experiencing any spills. Campbell and Converse counties reported the most spills, with 162 and 173, respectively.
Learn More:
For more information, visit westernpriorities.org. To speak with an expert on public lands, contact Aaron Weiss at 720-279-0019 or aaron@westernpriorities.org. Sign up for Look West to get daily public lands and energy news sent to your inbox.
###
Bernie’s assault on our cliché of greatness
by Robert C. Koehler
1028 words
“Excuse me, occasionally it might be a good idea to be honest about American foreign policy.”
I don’t think I’ve heard that much honesty from a mainstream-party presidential candidate in virtually half a century. And suddenly this race begins to matter in a way that seems like . . . oh my God, a return of democracy? Suddenly I don’t feel utterly marginalized as a voter, as an American, left with nothing but cynical despair as I wait to learn which “lesser evil” the Dems will serve up for me as a candidate.
The words are those of Bernie Sanders, of course, standing up to the red-baiting the moderators and some of the other candidates were slinging at him during the latest debate, trying their best to bring him down.
He went on: “That includes the fact that America has overthrown [democratic] governments all over the world — in Chile, in Guatemala, in Iran.”
Well, yeah, but . . . we’re still the greatest country on the planet, right? I get why the corporate media hates Sanders and wants to get rid of him ASAP. The American political center (as it likes to call itself) has done a helluva job marginalizing the truth-wielding, anti-war, pro-empathy, pro-sanity wing of the American population ever since the early ’70s, in the wake of George McGovern’s shattering defeat by Nixon. Never again! The taming of the liberal agenda cleared the way for the Reagan domestic counter-revolution and the U.S. military’s recovery from Vietnam Syndrome and public distaste for war. But now that all this is settled and endless, profit-spewing war is quiet background noise . . .
Along comes Bernie Sanders, giving voice to ideas and realities that have long been declared taboo in American political discourse, certainly at the level of presidential politics. Could real change — what I like to think of as evolution — actually start claiming political traction again?
Sanders is leading in the polls and has won the early state caucuses and primaries, but there’s no telling if he’ll succeed in actually claiming the Democratic nomination or, my God, defeating the orange-haired one, much less pushing a progressive, peace- and environment-conscious agenda through Congress. But this much seems apparent right now: He’s beating — and, I hope, deconstructing — the centrist media.
These highly paid bouncers are so used to defining the political limits of the American spectator democracy — i.e., establishing the nature of reality (it’s a big horse race) — they are ever more contemptuous of someone like Sanders, not to mention the constituency for whom he speaks. A glaring example of this contempt was Chris Matthews’ idiotic blather on MSNBC last week, in the wake of Sanders’ big win in the Nevada caucus, managing in a twisted analogy to compare this victory to the Nazi invasion of France in 1940.
Well, it turns out Matthews hit himself in the head with his own hardball. His profoundly offensive analogy immediately generated a #FireChrisMatthews hashtag and he was forced to spew an apology in order to keep his job.
“Senator Sanders,” he said two days later on his show “Hardball,” “I’m sorry for comparing anything from that tragic era in which so many suffered, especially the Jewish people, to an elected result in which you were a well-deserved winner. This is going to be a hard-fought, heated campaign of ideas.”
The apology was accepted by the Sanders campaign, whose manager said “we hope to get fairer coverage going forward.” And maybe they actually will! But what’s worth pondering for a moment is the atmosphere behind the scenes at MSNBC, and throughout the corporate media, prior to Matthews’ remark. Sanders had relatives murdered in the Holocaust, for God’s sake, but how could such a stupid comment form in a pundit’s consciousness as a newsworthy observation about any candidate’s victory? The anti-Sanders, and therefore anti-progressive, atmosphere at MSNBC must have been wide open and uncontained.
And indeed, consider one of the primary lines of attack on Sanders, the democratic socialist, by the corporate media: red-baiting.
Red-baiting is a throwback to the unrestrained Cold War era, in the early ’50s — the McCarthy era, the HUAC era — when a grotesquely hypocritical moral righteousness gained sufficient governmental power to limit Americans’ freedom of speech and thought by poisoning certain political positions with the label “communist.” Has this era returned?
Sanders has been lambasted recently for such sins as saying something good about Fidel Castro, telling Anderson Cooper on “60 Minutes”: “It’s unfair to simply say everything is bad, When Fidel Castro came into office, you know what he did? He had a massive literacy program. Is that a bad thing? Even though Fidel Castro did it?” Pundits have been trying desperately to tear Sanders to shreds over this outrage (and seem to have no memory of the mob-linked Fulgencio Batista, the Cuban leader overthrown by the Castro revolution).
The media has also made a point of reporting that Sanders has been briefed by U.S. intelligence that the Russians are attempting to help his campaign, seemingly because he’s the candidate least likely to defeat Trump. While the briefing occurred over a month ago, it only became news, reported by the Washington Post, the day before the Nevada caucus. Sanders’ response: “I don’t care, frankly, who Putin wants to be president. My message to Putin is clear: Stay out of American elections, and as president I will make sure that you do.”
And then there was the New York Times, throwing such poison seeds into the wind as “his support for the Sandinistas” — as though there weren’t legitimate reasons to support them and extreme controversy during the Reagan years about U.S. support for the anti-Sandinista rebels in Nicaragua, known as the contras. And in the same paragraph, the Times seems to summon the ghost of Joseph McCarthy, informing America that Sanders had a “honeymoon in the Soviet Union.”
Can you imagine electing a president so arrogant he actually claims the right to think for himself and challenge U.S. foreign policy, past and present? A president who honeymooned under the Soviet moon?
As the media is pointing out, the cliché we deeply cherish — we’re good, they’re bad — is under assault in 2020.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~end~~~~~~~~~~
Robert Koehler (koehlercw@gmail.com), syndicated by PeaceVoice, is a Chicago award-winning journalist and editor. He is the author of Courage Grows Strong at the Wound.
==============================
11 Inspiring Conversations from Season Two of "Food Talk"
Dear Friend,
Hello from New Orleans!
The second season of Food Tank’s podcast, "Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg," is underway! If you're not already a listener, now would be the perfect time to find the show on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play Music. And if you already subscribe, it would mean the world to us if you would CLICK HERE and rate and review the show, so more people can discover it.
Food Tank works to highlight stories of hope and success in the food system. Our chart-topping podcast, "Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg," is helping us amplify people who are working to make the food system more just, more healthy, and more environmentally sustainable. Twice a week, we hear from guests who are on the front lines, working to build a more environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable food system.
I’m fascinated and inspired by the conversations we’ve been able to feature about indigenous foodways, biodiversity, fighting for democracy in the food system, the ways technology can reshape sustainable agricultural production, and more.
This week, Food Tank is highlighting 11 episodes from Season Two of "Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg" that celebrate the power of sustainable food producers: Ann Tutwiler, chair of Bioversity International USA, on the need for a more biodiverse food system; David Moscow, actor and host of "From Scratch," on tracing sustainable food to its roots; Denisa Livingston of the Diné Community Advocacy Alliance on how Indigenous communities are regaining food sovereignty; Frances Moore Lappé of the Small Planet Institute on why fighting for food is fighting for democracy; Kathleen Merrigan, director of the ASU Swette Center, on the wisdom of indigenous foodways; Matt Swenson of Chameleon Cold Brew on a roadmap for the future of sustainable coffee; Mike Spindler, CEO of Fulton Fish Market, on using technology to support sustainable family fishers; Sara Bleich, Public Health Policy Professor at Harvard, on how to realistically improve nutrition policy; Tina May of Land O’Lakes and Dan Sonke of Campbell Soup Company, on the value of data for sustainability; Todd White, founder of Dry Farm Winery, on what the wine industry doesn’t want you to know; and Walter Willet, of EAT-Lancet and Harvard University, on eating within our planet’s boundaries.
Listen to these episodes—and many others from both seasons of "Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg"—by CLICKING HERE.
Who would you like to hear from in future episodes of the podcast? Email me at danielle@foodtank.com to share stories of the food advocates who inspire you!
Onward,
Danielle Nierenberg
Hungry Explores Rene Redzepi’s Intoxicating Delight for Innovative Flavors
Jeff Gordinier talks about his experience following Rene Redzepi, chef of Noma, in his new book Hungry: exploring culinary innovation, personal growth, and more.
Young People Are the Future of Innovative Agriculture, Says Musk
Kimbal Musk tells Gabriella Gershenson of the Wall Street Journal about creating opportunities for young people in farming—and disrupting current agricultural practices—with indoor farming.
News & Trending Articles
New Study Reveals How Agroforestry May Improve Planetary Health
A new study reveals significant links between agroforestry and holistic health in sub-Saharan Africa. While the outcomes of agroforestry are determined by ecology, tree species and tree management, new findings present benefits for both human and planetary health.
Global Soy Trade Drives Amazon Deforestation Amid Human Rights Concerns
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Press Release
USDA Invests $19 Million in Broadband for Rural Texas Communities
ELMENDORF, Texas, Feb. 28, 2020 – Today, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced a $19 million investment in three, high-speed broadband infrastructure projects that will create or improve rural e-Connectivity for almost 7,000 rural households, 46 farms, 32 pre-subscribed businesses, 19 critical community facilities and 15 educational facilities in rural Texas. This is one of many funding announcements in the first round of the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) ReConnect Pilot Program investments.
“Our core mission at USDA is to increase rural prosperity through boosting economic opportunity in rural America,” Perdue said. “We know that rural communities need robust, modern infrastructure to thrive, and that includes having access to broadband e-Connectivity. Under the leadership of President Trump, USDA is proud to partner with rural communities to deploy this critical infrastructure, because we know when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
Senator John Cornyn added, “Without access to broadband, simple tasks like checking the weather forecast or paying a bill become difficult, and more involved tasks like applying for government benefits or an out-of-town job became near inaccessible. I was proud to support this funding in the Senate, and I thank the Trump Administration for prioritizing infrastructure in rural Texas communities.”
Border to Border Communications will use a $5 million ReConnect grant and a $5 million ReConnect loan to deploy a Fiber-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network in rural Texas. The funded service area includes 5,153 households, 20 farms, 15 pre-subscribed businesses, 15 educational facilities, and 10 critical community facilities spread over 938 square miles in Webb and Zapata counties.
Mid-South Synergy will use a $6 million ReConnect grant to deploy a Fiber-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband network in rural Texas. This network will be capable of symmetrical transmission speeds of at least 100 megabits per second (Mbps). The service area includes 786 households, 26 farms, 17 pre-subscribed businesses and seven critical community facilities spread over 385 square miles in Brazos, Grimes, Madison and Walker counties.
Peoples Telephone Cooperative Inc. will use a $3 million ReConnect grant to deploy a Fiber-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband network in rural areas of Texas. The funded service area includes 914 households and two critical community facilities spread over 28 square miles in Titus, Camp and Wood counties.
Background:
In March 2018, Congress provided $600 million to USDA to expand broadband infrastructure and services in rural America. On Dec. 13, 2018, Secretary Perdue announced the rules of the program, called “ReConnect,” including how the loans and grants will be awarded to help build broadband infrastructure in rural America. USDA received 146 applications between May 31, 2019, and July 12, 2019, requesting $1.4 billion in funding across all three ReConnect Program funding products: 100 percent loan, 100 percent grant, and loan-grant combinations. USDA is reviewing applications and announcing approved projects on a rolling basis. Additional investments in all three categories will be made in the coming weeks.
These grants, loans and combination funds enable the federal government to partner with the private sector and rural communities to build modern broadband infrastructure in areas with insufficient internet service. Insufficient service is defined as connection speeds of less than 10 megabits per second (Mbps) download and 1 Mbps upload.
In December 2019, Agriculture Secretary Perdue announced USDA will be making available an additional $550 million in ReConnect funding in 2020. USDA will make available up to $200 million for grants, up to $200 million for 50/50 grant/loan combinations, and up to $200 million for low-interest loans. The application window for this round of funding opened on Jan. 31, 2020. Applications for all funding products will be accepted in the same application window, which will close on March 16, 2020.
A full description of 2020 ReConnect Pilot Program funding is available on page 67913 of the Dec. 12, 2019, Federal Register (PDF, 336 KB). To learn more about eligibility, technical assistance and recent announcements, visit www.usda.gov/reconnect.
In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force. To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB). In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the Rural Prosperity infographic (PDF, 190 KB).
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
#
Press Release
USDA Invests $28 Million in Broadband for Rural Virginia Communities
BUCKINGHAM, Va., Feb. 28, 2020 – Today, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Virginia Beth Green announced USDA has invested $28 million in high-speed broadband infrastructure for more than 17,000 rural households in Virginia. This is one of many funding announcements in the first round of USDA’s ReConnect Pilot Program investments.
“High-speed broadband internet connectivity, or e-Connectivity, is essential to economic development, quality of life and overall prosperity in any community,” Green said. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA is committed to being a strong partner to help rural communities deploy this essential infrastructure, because when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
Central Virginia Electric Cooperative will use a $28 million ReConnect Program loan and grant combination to construct a fiber-to-the-premises network encompassing 704 square miles. The service area is expected to reach 17,023 households, 35 pre-subscribed businesses, 20 pre-subscribed farms, 15 educational facilities, 15 critical community facilities and six health care centers in Albemarle, Amherst, Appomattox, Buckingham, Campbell, Cumberland, Fluvanna, Greene, Goochland, Louisa, Orange, Prince Edward and Powhatan counties.
Background:
In March 2018, Congress provided $600 million to USDA to expand broadband infrastructure and services in rural America. On Dec. 13, 2018, Secretary Perdue announced the rules of the program, called “ReConnect,” including how the loans and grants will be awarded to help build broadband infrastructure in rural America. USDA received 146 applications between May 31, 2019, and July 12, 2019, requesting $1.4 billion in funding across all three ReConnect Program funding products: 100 percent loan, 100 percent grant, and loan-grant combinations. USDA is reviewing applications and announcing approved projects on a rolling basis. Additional investments in all three categories will be made in the coming weeks.
These grants, loans and combination funds enable the federal government to partner with the private sector and rural communities to build modern broadband infrastructure in areas with insufficient internet service. Insufficient service is defined as connection speeds of less than 10 megabits per second (Mbps) download and 1 Mbps upload.
In December 2019, Agriculture Secretary Perdue announced USDA will be making available an additional $550 million in ReConnect funding in 2020. USDA will make available up to $200 million for grants, up to $200 million for 50/50 grant/loan combinations, and up to $200 million for low-interest loans. The application window for this round of funding opened on Jan. 31, 2020. Applications for all funding products will be accepted in the same application window, which will close on March 16, 2020.
A full description of 2020 ReConnect Pilot Program funding is available on page 67913 of the Dec. 12, 2019, Federal Register (PDF, 336 KB). To learn more about eligibility, technical assistance and recent announcements, visit www.usda.gov/reconnect.
In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force. To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB). In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the Rural Prosperity infographic (PDF, 190 KB).
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
#
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