Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** Taxpayers losing millions on lease sales under outdated rates
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Friday, July 25, 2025
Oil and gas production infrastructure, BLM New Mexico ([link removed])
The budget reconciliation bill passed earlier this month rolled back a number of reforms that had been made to the Bureau of Land Management's oil and gas leasing program by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022. The IRA reforms included updating the royalty rate producers pay on oil and gas extracted from national public lands, to 16.67 percent; this month's budget reconciliation bill returned the royalty rate to its previous, outdated rate of 12.5 percent.
An oil and gas lease sale held yesterday in New Mexico demonstrates just how much American taxpayers are losing under this lower royalty rate. A Taxpayers for Common Sense analysis ([link removed]) found that the reduced royalty rate means more than $52 million in lost revenue from the acres leased in yesterday's New Mexico sale alone. When combined with the budget reconciliation bill's other rollbacks, American taxpayers stand to lose billions in foregone revenue from this and other lease sales across the country.
The Taxpayers for Common Sense analysis also compared average bid per acre before the IRA reforms, after the IRA reforms, and in Thursday's New Mexico sale after the rollbacks. The analysis concludes ([link removed]) that bidders are motivated by a parcel's development potential, not by more generous lease terms; reduced royalty rates and other lease terms favorable to developers merely subsidize oil and gas production, at taxpayers' expense.
The strange and mysterious history of the Joshua tree
In the latest episode ([link removed]) of the Center for Western Priorities podcast, The Landscape ([link removed]) , Kate and Aaron interview author Barret Baumgart about his new book Yuck: The Birth and Death of the Weird and Wondrous Joshua Tree ([link removed]) . Baumgart became obsessed with Joshua trees during the pandemic and ended up uncovering some interesting facts and stories about them.
** Quick hits
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How the National Park Service is struggling with drastic funding and staffing cuts
PBS News ([link removed])
Outcry as Agriculture department to cut salaries, relocate staff
Guardian ([link removed]) | Colorado Newsline ([link removed])
New poll finds 96% of Idaho voters say public lands should remain in public hands
Idaho Capital Sun ([link removed])
An Interior department veteran looks to the future
High Country News ([link removed])
Energy department picks 4 sites to build data centers on federal land
E&E News ([link removed])
Lake Mead water projections raise red flags
Nevada Current ([link removed])
How Native homes in New Mexico are tapping the sun
New York Times ([link removed])
Opinion: We need an agency worthy of our wilderness
Daily Montanan ([link removed])
** Quote of the day
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”
The department’s leaders say they support parks, but they’re going to aim to cut park staffing and park resources and park programs to the bone and beyond. They say they support wildland firefighting, but then they disparage all of the civil servants who are out there and create an environment where it’s not the least bit appealing to go and work for the federal government. How do they expect these things to work out?”
—Jacob Malcolm, former director of the Interior department's Office of Policy Analysis, High Country News ([link removed])
** Picture This
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@mypubliclands ([link removed])
Ready for an adventure? The Alpine Loop in Colorado is a rugged 4x4 road that takes you through the breathtaking San Juan Mountains! 🏔️🌄🚙
Climbing up to 12,800 feet, this epic byway leads you past historic mines, charming ghost towns, vibrant wildflowers, and incredible wildlife.
This remote gem offers a true backcountry experience—perfect for those looking to disconnect and fully immerse themselves in nature.
📵 No cell service. No Wi-Fi. Just you, the wild, and the road.
🗺️ Download or print your maps before you go.
🥾 Pack extra water, food, and fuel.
📍Tell someone your travel plans. Safety first!
📸Bob Wick
@copubliclands ([link removed])
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