Daily news roundup, Feb. 7, 2008
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Feb 7, 2008 Posted by Bill Luckett
Props to Democrats in Sheridan, Albany, Laramie and Teton counties for holding public events on Super Tuesday, and to anyone else who watched the returns that night with fellow Democrats. The Sheridan Press did a nice front-page write-up of the event in my hometown, sent in by alert county party Secretary Liz Howell, which I will use to lead off the news roundup:
Sheridan County Dems hold Super Tuesday event
These kinds of events help us stay energized. Front-page write-ups in the local paper send the message to everyone in the area that local Democrats are active and excited, and they help us to recruit activists – both Democrats who see that the party is vibrant and independents who are finding out where the real action is.
Now on to other news. The Gillette News-Record examines fuel tax proposals state lawmakers will address in the upcoming budget session, which begins next week:
Gillette legislators differ on fuel tax
Also from the Gillette paper: Three of the worlds biggest banks said this week that they will take a closer look at carbon dioxide emissions when they lend money to power companies in the future. Citi, JPMorgan Chase and Morgan Stanley joined a consortium of power producers and environmental groups in announcing what they called “The Carbon Principles”:
Banks zero in on carbon dioxide emissions
The U.S. Forest Service could quash contested oil and gas leases in the Wyoming Range, if an updated environmental analysis differs from its 18-year-old predecessor:
Forest Service could quash leases
Production by Wyoming's soda ash industry increased slightly in 2007, according to a year-end industry report:
Soda ash production value tops $1 billion
Denver-based Rancher Energy Corp. could have up to $83.5 million later this year to fund a carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery effort in the Powder River Basin:
Company plans CO2 oil recovery
Some people argue that the Powder River Basin's coal-bed methane industry has yielded as much animosity as it has riches. Now the Wyoming state geologist believes bad feelings might be eased if there were a moratorium on coal-bed methane development in two specific areas:
Agency suggests drilling moratorium
Geologist calls for water controls
Snowpack in Wyoming is significantly higher now than it was at this time last year, but the state climatologist said it's still too early to tell if there will be enough water for the state to start recovering from eight dry years:
The Green River Star writes that the snow may necessitate an alternate route between Green River and Rock Springs, as Interstate 80 isn’t always very efficient or completely reliable:
‘Crisis’ stresses need for snow route
Also from the Green River paper: Snow was the subject of the latest city council meeting as well:
City administrator addresses snow removal concerns
Wyoming Public Radio reports on our junior senator:
Barrasso appointed to Foreign Relations committee
Public Radio also has this piece on reducing energy consumption in Teton County:
Teton County unveils energy reduction plan