"With this rule now finalized, the companies that develop Utah’s resources, not my constituents, will bear the cost of restoring our state’s landscapes." - Salt Lake County Councilor on Utah's recently updated oil and gas bonding program. #OilandGas #Accountability @sltrib.com

New Mexico's oil and gas bonding program is now among the strongest in the nation. This San Juan Co. Commissioner explains how the newly adopted reforms lower the risk of well abandonment and support a more enduring economic foundation for NM. #Accountability #ProtectNM #OilandGas

Letter in @abqjournal.bsky.social from Rio Arriba County Commissioner Alex Naranjo commends New Mexico for updating state bonding rules, which are now among the nation’s strongest: #ProtectNM #OilandGas #Accountability

“The impacts of orphaned wells are not abstract for local governments.” San Juan County Commissioner GloJean Todacheene shares in @thenewmexican.bsky.social why recent updates to the state’s oil and gas bonding program are a win for New Mexico communities.

ICYMI. New updates to NM's bonding program will require a financial assurance of $150,000 for the highest-risk wells and tighten restrictions around well transfers and inactive wells. #ProtectNM #OilandGas #Accountability

In this @sltrib.com op-ed, a Grand County Commissioner speaks out against the BLM's proposed overhaul of its onshore oil and gas program.

"Scientists have said the conditions are the result of a climate that is 'fundamentally different' from the time before fossil fuel use started rapidly warming the world."

“By modernizing the state’s bonding program, the Oil Conservation Commission establishes New Mexico as a national leader, holds industry accountable for its own mess, and stands up for the natural resources that local elected officials and their communities rely on.”

Thank you, WORC, for sounding the alarm abt Trump's latest attack on the Bureau of Land Management's commonsense protections for clean air and clean water. Interior Sec'y Doug Burgum wants to cut those protections to make it easier for Big Oil to make Big Money faster. We can't let that happen.

Last spring, local elected officials in Utah sent a letter calling on the state Board of Oil, Gas and Mining to modernize oil and gas bonding requirements. Last week, after 5+ years of work, the Board finalized a rule. Read the local officials’ letter here: www.westernleaders.org/utah-elected...

Utah has adopted a risk-based approach to financial assurance that keeps the cost of cleanup with operators. Local elected officials throughout the state support this rule, which will help protect their constituents' wallets and reduce the risk of well abandonment.

"Rolling back the Oil and Gas Rule is yet another attempt by the administration to hand our freedom to access and enjoy public lands over to the oil and gas industry." @wilderness.org

Wildlife habitat, endangered animals and recreation could all be at risk in state’s biggest public land sale in modern history.

TODAY at 1pm MT: Join us and @wilderness.org for a webinar - "Federal Oil and Gas Leasing: What Local Governments Need to Know." Save your spot: tinyurl.com/pnswyh4k

"Holy Cross Energy delivered 100% clean energy to its 45k+ members in March, a renewable power landmark for the Colorado cooperative and a signal that the federal turn back toward fossil fuels has not impeded all climate change initiatives in the state."

WLN’s @vivarioarriba.bsky.social and family voted in Dulce, NM today. Thank you to the Jicarilla Apache Nation election workers for helping people exercise their democratic right!

BLM oil and gas lease sales can have major environmental and economic impacts on communities. Join us w/ @wilderness.org June 4 @ 1 PM MT to learn how local governments can take action. Register: tinyurl.com/pnswyh4k

The New Mexico State Land Office on Wednesday began a two-day public hearing over a proposal that would increase the amount of money oil and gas companies operating on state land must guarantee for plugging and cleaning wells.

Local elected officials have an important role to play in oil and gas leasing decisions that affect their communities. Register for our June 4 webinar with @wilderness.org to learn more: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

WEBINAR June 1: As local election administrators face concerns about election security, PA’s top election official Al Schmidt will share insights from the frontlines. With @brennancenter.org. Reserve your spot: tinyurl.com/3sjyustn

When oil and gas lease sales come to town, local elected officials have the power to step up and advocate for their communities. Join us June 4 for a webinar with @wilderness.org and learn more. Register here: tinyurl.com/pnswyh4k

Our elections are under scrutiny. Join PA Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt and @brennancenter.org June 1 for a discussion on protecting local elections in your community. Learn more and register: www.appalachianleaders.org/virtual-events

From tax revenue to air quality, federal oil and gas leasing decisions have real consequences for local governments and their communities. Join us June 4 for a webinar with @wilderness.org. Come with questions. Register here: tinyurl.com/pnswyh4k

If you drill it, you clean it. Great piece in the @abqjournal.bsky.social by New Mexico AG @nmdoj.bsky.social makes the case for strong oil and gas bonding and cleanup rules.

"Colorado Gov. Polis' decision to commute Peters’ sentence sends a demoralizing message, which is that those who undermine our democratic values and infrastructure may face little consequence." www.westernleaders.org/media-statem...

The Interior Department is canceling a rule that put conservation of public lands on equal footing with development.

As the state considers updating oil and gas bonding requirements, local elected officials across Utah sent a letter of support for strong financial assurance rules that will protect taxpayers, natural resources, and community health. Read it here: www.westernleaders.org/utah-elected...

"32% of local election officials report experiencing threats, harassment, or abuse because of their job." Join us for a webinar with the @brennancenter.org covering this topic and more on May 11, 10am MST, 12pm EST. Register here: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

In this @sltrib.com op-ed, two former state legislators of different political parties agree: updating Utah’s oil and gas bonding requirements is a commonsense reform to protect the taxpaying public. www.sltrib.com/opinion/comm...

Just one year after the Trump administration stopped enforcing methane standards, the U.S. wasted enough natural gas to meet the needs of nearly 22 million households. This is energy we can’t afford to lose—and costs we can’t afford to pay. https://www.edf.org/Z6Fi

Strong financial assurance rules mean oil and gas companies - not taxpayers - pay for well cleanup. Local elected officials in Utah sent a letter last week calling on the state Board of Oil, Gas, and Mining to update state bonding requirements. Read it here: www.westernleaders.org/utah-elected...

Western Leaders Network/Appalachian Leaders Network hosting webinar on fair elections led by real county clerks and election experts at the brennancenter.org. Bottom line, election officials are losing resources and need our support. Reach out to them… let them know we have their backs!

How much natural gas has been needlessly wasted since federal #cutmethane regulations stopped being enforced last month? This new tool from @envdefensefund.bsky.social can show you: www.edf.org/national-met...

Local leaders taking action: Wyoming’s Teton County Commission recently sent a letter to USDA, Governor Gordon and Wyoming's congressional delegation with concerns about the U.S. Forest Service reorganization and its impacts on their community. Read it here: www.tetoncountywy.gov/DocumentCent...

Now that the repeal of the 2009 EPA Endangerment Finding is in effect, it's up to the courts to decide what becomes of this critical finding that has helped us regulate pollution and protect our air for 16 years. subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eene...

Elected officials in our network are environmental champions. This #EarthDay, we did a Q&A with WV House Delegate Evan Hansen, who discusses data centers, solar projects, the environmental issue that inspired him to run for office, and more. Read it here: tinyurl.com/2yszswtu

Under outdated bonding rules, New Mexico could face up to $1.6 billion in oil and gas well cleanup costs. The Oil Conservation Commission can fix that by adopting modern, reasonable safeguards to make sure corporations – not taxpayers – pay for cleanup. westernlaw.org/new-mexico-r...

Join us April 29th at 3:15pm EST for part 1 of our three part webinar series, The Price of Democracy: Closing the Election Funding Gap. Register here: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

The administration is supporting efforts to boost funding for oil and gas production, mining, manufacturing and AI development — often at the expense of other energy and natural resources programs.

Interesting background on the endangerment finding and Clean Air Act:

New Mexico local official hits the mark: "Companies that financially benefit from holding air permits should cover the reasonable costs of monitoring, inspections and enforcement" - and not force taxpayers to pick up the tab. 🔗Read the op-ed: bit.ly/3PBKpsT

March 12 at 1pm MT: Join us for Part 2 of 2 in our webinar series, Powering the Future - Transmission and the Role of Local Leaders. Register today and learn more at www.westernleaders.org/virtualevents

Join us March 12 at 1pm MT for the second in a two-part webinar series, Powering the Future: Transmission and the Role of Local Leaders. Register and learn more: www.westernleaders.org/virtualevents

“Enough is enough.” After making record profits last year, Colorado’s largest utility is seeking two rate increases. Organizers are pushing back.

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission was legally directed to enhance monitoring standards for the majority of the state’s pipelines -- but they missed the mark. Why EDF is fighting for improved rules to protect CO communities: blogs.edf.org/energyexchan...

By dismantling the #EndangermentFinding, EPA didn’t just roll back #climate protections – it undermined the democratic foundations that make accountable governance possible.

Join us Thurs, Feb. 26 and learn about energy transmission expansion, why it matters for a clean energy future, and the role local elected officials play. Register here: www.westernleaders.org/virtualevents

Join us Feb. 26 for the first in a two-part webinar series on how local elected officials can engage in energy transmission discussions and decisions. Register/learn more: www.westernleaders.org/virtualevents

"The numbers from the annual Conservation in the West poll released Wednesday suggest conservation isn't a niche issue — it's political bedrock in eight Southwest and Rocky Mountain states."