CONTACT
Alex Thompson, The Wilderness Society
alex_thompson@tws.org, 202-429-3940
Aaron Weiss, Center for Western Priorities
aaron@westernpriorities.org, 720-279-0019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 19, 2019
DENVER— The Wilderness Society and the Center for Western Priorities released new geospatial analysis today, offering a data-driven look at low-cost oil and gas leasing on public lands in the West. The story map, America’s Public Lands Giveaway, used a tool developed by The Wilderness Society to map all federal oil and gas leases on public lands, identifying leases sold for bargain prices.
The oil and gas industry currently leases 17.7 million acres of public lands in ten Western states—Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming—locking up lands for development and preventing them from being actively managed for conservation and recreation. According to our analysis, 32 percent of all public lands and minerals actively leased for oil and gas were sold for just $2.00 per acre or less—totaling 5.7 million acres. Under current rules, companies can purchase oil and gas leases at auction for the minimum bonus bid of just $2.00 per acre, or can purchase unsold leases noncompetitively by paying the first year’s rent and a small fee.
“These maps show how the federal government’s outdated oil and gas leasing process is allowing industry to lock up our lands across the west for just a couple dollars an acre, forsaking valuable conservation and recreation for the public,” said Kim Stevens, campaign manager at The Wilderness Society. “It’s time for Congress to end these outdated policies that put industry ahead of the taxpayers and the future health of the environment.”
“This administration can’t be trusted to protect America’s public lands, waters, and communities from the impacts of oil and gas drilling. The ‘lease everywhere’ approach we’ve seen only helps the former and future oil and gas clients of top Interior Department officials—it’s taxpayers that get shortchanged in this process,” said Center for Western Priorities Executive Director Jennifer Rokala. “For decades, the oil and gas industry has taken advantage of an outdated system tilted in their favor and against taxpayers and other land uses.”
Since Congress updated the leasing process in 1987, 42.1 million acres, or 60 percent of all oil and gas leases issued, have been purchased for the minimum bid or noncompetitively. These low-cost leases incentivize land speculation and are terminated at greater rates than leases purchased for competitive bid prices. Since 1987, 93 percent of leases sold for $2.00 or less have been terminated, while only 79 percent of competitive leases have been terminated. Companies often buy up leases that don’t produce any oil and gas—47 percent of active leased acres are sitting idle, generating only $1.50 per acre for taxpayers annually.
[Click here to view the story map]
In the last two years, the Trump administration has offered more than 2.1 million acres for oil and gas development that have failed to sell at auction. These leases are currently available for the industry to purchase noncompetitively for just $1.50 per acre. This report provides a number of policy changes Congress can take to modernize and update the century-old leasing system.
[Click here to explore a map of active oil and gas leases]
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**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
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Picture book tells true story of prodigal cat
Joan Romney Groves’ ‘Where Is My Home?’ is set for a new marketing push
SOUTH JORDAN, Utah – Set for a new marketing campaign, author Joan Romney Groves’ “Where Is My Home?” (published by AuthorHouse) is based on a true story of a prodigal cat who leaves home, experiences the world and goes to extremes to find his way back home. The ability of a cat to find his home after being away for several months and being miles away inspired the author to pen the book.
Echoing the notion that “there is no place like home,” the book tells the story of Sonic, the cat who was “born to be wild.” When he was given the opportunity to be free, he found many difficult challenges. Although 30 miles from home, he spent nine months battling the weather, animals, traffic, people, sleep, hunger and sickness before he reached his home. When he got home, he settled into the same quilt in the garage where he was born.
A story reinforced with colorful illustrations, the book is aimed to help children develop empathy, good moral character and a positive outlook in life. “I want children to realize that even though they may be unhappy at home on occasion, there is no place that will provide them with more love and satisfaction than being at home,” Groves says.
An excerpt from the book:
Sonic came to a city street. The traffic was crowded and dangerous. With lightning speed, he darted between cars. Brakes screeched and horns honked as he splashed through rain puddles. Thunder rattled the air.
"Yeoow!" he shrieked shivering with fright. “Where is my home?"
“Where Is My Home?”
By Joan Romney Groves
Softcover | 8.5 x 11in | 42 pages | ISBN 9781546216995
E-Book | 42 pages | ISBN 9781546217008
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble
About the Author
Joan Romney Groves was an elementary school counselor for 23 years before retiring. She received the 2004 Utah School Counselor of the Year Award. She holds a bachelor’s degree (cum laude) from the University of Utah and a master’s degree from Brigham Young University. She is the mother of six and the grandmother of 28. She has published “The Antique Organ and Other Stories” for the Gale History Center, as well as family histories.
Nancy Romney is an artist who enjoys painting character portraits. She wants her art to tell the stories of life. Joan E. Schuller added her artistic coloring to this book.
AuthorHouse, an Author Solutions, Inc. self-publishing imprint, is a leading provider of book publishing, marketing, and bookselling services for authors around the globe and offers the industry’s only suite of Hollywood book-to-film services. Committed to providing the highest level of customer service, AuthorHouse assigns each author personal publishing and marketing consultants who provide guidance throughout the process. Headquartered in Bloomington, Indiana, AuthorHouse celebrated 15 years of service to authors in Sept. 2011.For more information or to publish a book visit authorhouse.com or call 1-888-519-5121. For the latest, follow @authorhouse on Twitter.
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Calling All Captains
Announces
Nothing Grows Here
Vinyl Pressing
Pre-Order Now: callingallcaptains.merchnow.com
Watch New Video "Fools Gold,"
Here: youtu.be/Nz4RYn_KWEg
Touring This Fall With Summer Wars
Edmonton, AB - September 18, 2019 - Canadian quintet Calling All Captains is thrilled to be bringing their infectious brand of pop punk to vinyl for the first time ever, with the pressing of their latest EP Nothing Grows Here. Originally released on February 8th, 2019, Nothing Grows Here marked the band's Equal Vision Records debut. Fans can pre-order a copy here, and check out a brand new music video for "Fools Gold," here.
"'Fools Gold' is a song that comes from emotions we felt missing our friends and family at home while on tour. It was a new emotion for us to experience while we toured heavily this year off the EP," shares lead singer Luc Gauthier."We wanted the video to represent some of the best moments and heartfelt places in our hometown Edmonton, Alberta. It's meant to create our distant listeners a visual of where and who we come from, showing what we miss most while we are gone."
Calling All Captains recently announced an upcoming co-headline tour with Summer Wars. The run kicks off in Lansing on October 20th, following a performance at Blackout Fest on October 19th. For a full list of upcoming tour dates, please see below or visit: www.facebook.com/Callingallcaptainsband.
Supported by relentless touring and a homegrown attitude, Calling All Captains have been able to push the boundaries and limits of being a band from the Prairies of Canada.
After announcing their signing to the seminal Equal Vision Records, the group released their label debut EP Nothing Grows Here on February 8, 2019. The five-song EP was written and recorded in Edmonton, Alberta teaming up with local producer Quinn Cyrankiewicz. Contrary to the name of the EP, the band has seen an impeccable amount of growth within their home region selling out local venues, most recently supporting The Offspring in Alberta, as well breaking ground touring nationally in Canada and internationally in the UK & USA.
"We've always been a band that did what we wanted for ourselves because we had been told for years that it didn't matter," explains vocalist Luc Gauthier. "Western Canada and more specifically Edmonton is not a music mecca that would ever offer us an opportunity to 'make it'. In a way, this album was cathartic, that our hard work was worth it. In another way, it was the middle finger to everyone who doubted us and told us 'Nothing Grows Here.'"
With an open road and a busy tour schedule, there's no slowing down Calling All Captains. They plan to bring their emotionally energetic show to cities around the world, defeating all odds against them. The main focus is simple: release music, tour, show the world what they've got.
Calling All Captains is Luc Gauthier (vocals), Brad Bremner (guitar), Connor Dawkins (guitar), Nick Malychuk (bass), and Tim Wilson (drums).
For More Information, please visit:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Callingallcaptainsband
Twitter: www.twitter.com/CallingAllCptns
Instagram: www.instagram.com/callingallcaptains
Upcoming Shows:
10/4 - Lethbridge, AB @ The Slice
10/5 - Regina, SK @ The Exchange
10/6 - Winnipeg, MB @ Bulldog Pizza
10/9 - Cincinnati, OH @ Legends
10/10 - Buffalo, NY @ Duke's Bohemian Grove
10/11 - Windsor, ON @ Dominion House
10/15 - Toronto, ON @ Sneaky Dee's*
10/16 - London, ON @ Rum Runners*
10/17 - Montreal, QC @ Piranha Bar
10/18 - Oakville, ON @ Less Than Level
10/19 - Brantford, ON @ Blackout Fest
10/20 - Lansing, MI @ Mac's Bar
10/22 - Chicago, IL @ The WC Social Club
10/23 - Minneapolis, MN @ The Garage
10/24 - Fargo, ND @ Th Aquarium
10/26 - Calgary, AB @ Broken City
10/27 - Edmonton, AB @ Temple
10/30 - Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile (Back Bar)
10/31 - Portland, OR @ The Waypost
11/2 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Hi Hat
11/3 - Phoenix, AZ @ Pub Rock
11/5 - Denton, TX @ J&J Pizza
11/6 - Austin, TX @ 512 Thompson
11/9 - Columbia, SC @ New Brookland Tavern
11/10 - Raleigh, NC @ Imurj
* = Supporting Trash Boat
Rep. John Knotwell to Resign from the Utah House
Salt Lake City, UT – Representative John Knotwell will resign from the Utah House of Representatives, effective September 30, 2019.
“As Speaker of the Utah House of Representatives, I want to express gratitude to Rep. Knotwell for his years of service and leadership,” said Brad Wilson. “Since his election in 2012, John has been an important part of this institution. Despite his absence, his presence and leadership will be felt for years to come. We wish him and his family the very best as they move forward to this new chapter of their lives."
During his time in the Legislature, Rep. Knotwell has proven to be an expert on many complex issues. He currently serves on following committees or commissions: House Business and Labor, House Government Operations, House Rules, Government Operations Interim, Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim, House Rules Interim, and the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee.
“A citizen legislature comes with its challenges for many of its members – one of them being a necessary commitment to full-time employment,” said Rep. Knotwell. “I love my time representing the constituents of House District 52, my employment requires significant traveling and schedule that will not permit time to serve in this capacity.”
The Salt Lake County Republican Party will now establish a process for choosing Rep. Knotwell’s replacement.
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Governor appoints Scott Baird as executive director of the Utah Department of Environmental Quality
SALT LAKE CITY (September 18, 2019) – Gov. Gary R. Herbert has announced the appointment of Scott Baird as the executive director of the Utah Department of Environmental Quality.
“Scott Baird has been an invaluable adviser, and his contributions in this new role will be crucial to my administration’s efforts to combat environmental challenges and ensure that all Utahns can enjoy the very highest quality of life,” Gov. Hebert said.
Scott Baird was appointed as the interim executive director of the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) in June of 2019. Baird has been with the department since 2014, first appointed to serve as director of legislative and government affairs and later as deputy director, overseeing policy, planning and operational improvement.
Before joining DEQ, Baird worked in the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget, where he provided several state agencies – including DEQ – with training and guidance on improving operations. Previously, he worked in Washington State’s Governor’s Office of Financial Management, Washington State’s Auditor’s Office, and at Deloitte Consulting, where he helped state and federal agencies improve operations and achieve better outcomes.
“I am grateful for this opportunity and I look forward to continuing my work alongside the bright and capable team at DEQ and serving the people of Utah,” Baird said. “Our state faces many environmental challenges. Working together, we can find practical solutions that will safeguard and improve the quality of life we enjoy now and for years to come.”
This appointment is subject to confirmation by the Utah Senate.
