Gov. Jim Justice is expected to sign legislation to allow private leasing of the state s public parks and forests, but critics worry there are not enough safeguards to protect West Virginia s public lands. Ken Caplinger, former superintendent of West Virginia State Parks, explained the current law does not require upfront environmental assessments for development. .
The Michigan Legislature approved a resolution this week backing energy independence, and asking Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to call off attempts to shut down the Line 5 dual pipelines. With gas prices surging amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, lawmakers who supported this resolution say domestic oil production should be a priority. .