Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities


** Trump, Burgum launch new attack on affordable energy
------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
The Lime Wind energy project in Oregon, Bureau of Land Management ([link removed])

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum ordered new hurdles for wind power on public lands and waters, launching a review with the potential of stopping all new wind development ([link removed]) .

Burgum ordered a top-to-bottom review of Interior's approval process for wind projects, which he said aims to end "preferential treatment" for renewable energy projects.

President Donald Trump, who was opening a golf course in Scotland on Tuesday, falsely said ([link removed]) that wind turbines are "the most expensive form of energy there is."

Onshore wind is actually one of the cheapest sources of new power ([link removed]) . New wind farms produce electricity at around $30 per megawatt hour, compared to $65 per megawatt hour for new natural gas plants, or $80 per hour for advanced nuclear reactors. Offshore wind is slightly more expensive but still competitive at $88 per megawatt hour.


** Quick hits
------------------------------------------------------------

Watchdog group reports spike in New Mexico oil and gas pollution

Source NM ([link removed])

More DOGE and day 1 appointees head for the doors at Interior

Government Executive ([link removed])

Nevada Indigenous leaders brace for attacks on protected sacred lands

Nevada Public Radio ([link removed])

EPA makes false claims as it moves to repeal finding that underpins limits on greenhouse gas pollution

E&E News ([link removed]) | Associated Press ([link removed]) | New York Times ([link removed]) | NBC News ([link removed]) | NPR News ([link removed]) | CBS News ([link removed]) | Reuters ([link removed]) | Washington Post ([link removed])

Crews struggle to contain wildfire on Grand Canyon's North Rim

Associated Press ([link removed])

Analysis: Western data centers suck (water and power)

High Country News ([link removed])

State negotiator: Colorado River plans must dole out less water

E&E News ([link removed])

$37 million from Great American Outdoors Act to restore Petrified Forest community center

KJZZ ([link removed])


** Quote of the day
------------------------------------------------------------

” A Microsoft data center in Goodyear, Arizona, directly uses about 56 million gallons of municipal potable water annually — about the same as 670 homes. Still, it’s substantially less than what the nearby alfalfa fields drink.”

—Jonathan Thompson, High Country News ([link removed])


** Picture This
------------------------------------------------------------

@usinterior ([link removed])
On Monday, August 4th, in honor of the fifth anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act, all entrance fees at Interior-managed public lands will be waived. Find your park and see first-hand how this law is helping enrich the visitor experience.

Photos by Luke Perkins and NPS

============================================================
** Website ([link removed])
** Instagram ([link removed])
** Facebook ([link removed])
** TikTok ([link removed])
** Medium ([link removed])
Copyright © 2025 Center for Western Priorities, All rights reserved.
You've signed up to receive Look West updates.

Center for Western Priorities
1999 Broadway
Suite 520
Denver, CO 80202
USA
** View this on the web ([link removed])

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])