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


** Mining company builds on public land without permission, wants retroactive approval
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Tuesday, September 9, 2025
Albemarle's Silver Peak Mine in Nevada. NASA Earth Observatory ([link removed]) .

Albemarle, the world's largest lithium producer, built facilities without permission on public land at its Silver Peak Mine in Nevada. Now it's asking the Trump administration for approval after the fact ([link removed]) .

The company requested the "ask forgiveness, not permission" exemption as part of its fast-track expansion ([link removed]) under a Trump administration initiative to boost mining on public lands. The expansion would double the mine's footprint on public land to more than 1,000 acres, adding pump stations, pipelines, and brine ponds.

Albemarle made headlines last week when Public Domain reported that Elon Musk's top DOGE official at the Interior Department, Tyler Hassen, appears to have held Albemarle stock ([link removed]) while the administration fast-tracked the Silver Peak expansion. Members of Congress have demanded all of Hassen's financial disclosures and calendars as part of their investigation. After receiving the letter, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum replaced Hassen as the top budget official ([link removed]) at the department, but Hassen appears to still be working at Interior today.

The Bureau of Land Management has opened a public comment period ([link removed]) on the Silver Peak mine expansion, and will hold a virtual public meeting on September 23rd. Registration is required ([link removed]) to join, and BLM will not accept public comments during the meeting.


** Quick hits
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Trump wants mining, but mine safety is on the chopping block

E&E News ([link removed])

Wildland firefighter diagnosed with cancer after six seasons of inhaling toxic smoke, denied worker's comp

New York Times ([link removed])

Wildfire pros warn Trump admin is weaponizing wildfire resiliency

Eureka Times-Standard ([link removed])

All public lands—national and state—are on the line right now

Sierra Magainze ([link removed])

How Colorado is reshaping the Arkansas River after a century of abuse

Colorado Sun: Part 1 ([link removed]) | Part 2 ([link removed])

Landlocked California: Map shows public lands blocked by private property

San Francisco Chronicle ([link removed])

New Mexico officials fear oil royalty budget crunch after Congress cuts rates

E&E News ([link removed])

Energy secretary attacks wind power, dismisses climate change efforts as 'silly' on his way to promote carbon in Europe

New York Times ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed]) | Heatmap ([link removed])


** Quote of the day
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” Your work is not the major contributing cause of your claimed disease.”

—Insurance denial letter sent to wildland firefighter Joel Eisiminger ([link removed]) when he contracted acute myeloid leukemia before his 25th birthday


** Picture This
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@mypubliclands ([link removed])
It's the 61st Anniversary of the Wilderness Act! 🌲✨

Since 1964, this groundbreaking law has safeguarded tens of millions of acres of lands, with millions managed by the Bureau of Land Management. From stunning desert canyons to majestic alpine peaks, our wilderness areas preserve the beauty and freedom of nature! 💚

📸 Yuki Wilderness, Bureau of Land Management - California; Jesse Pluim

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