In the face of climate change and the need for clean energy, a new federal plan aims to update the country s outdated power grid. One Arizona conservation advocate says ensuring a resilient energy infrastructure is a significant part of that equation. While the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission s rule is needed, said Michael Cravens, advocacy and conservation director for the Arizona Wildlife Federation, he contended that any expansion must take wildlife impact into account. .
Virginians are coming together for a rally this Sunday to voice concerns about data center expansion. Lawmakers, community leaders and environmental groups worry about a lack of safeguards on data center growth in Virginia. Data centers support more than 78,000 jobs and generate billions in tax revenue but the groups said they pose hidden harms to local residents. .
Conservation groups, tribes and community organizers are praising President Joe Biden s decision Thursday to expand two national monuments in California. Together, the monuments will gain about 120,000 acres. The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument is 90 minutes northwest of Sacramento and the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument lies just east of Los Angeles. .
The Bureau of Land Management recently released its final Public Lands Rule, which is set to put conservation on equal footing with other multiple uses taking place on public lands. The state of Utah has come out in opposition, pointing to the impact it could have on the almost 23 million acres of BLM land in Utah. Redge Johnson, director of the Utah Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office, said the state supports conservation efforts but called the rule a "solution looking for a problem." "What we have already put into conservation designations and then what you have for the acts that promote the conservation of the lands, why do you need to level that playing field?" Johnson questioned. .
Conservation groups are rejoicing over the decision Friday by the Biden administration to reject a proposed mining road in Alaska. The 211-mile Ambler Road would have sliced through the Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, severing the migration route for a Western Arctic Caribou herd. Alex Johnson, interior Alaska director for the National Parks Conservation Association, said it was important for the feds to take a stand in Alaska so mining interests do not start eyeing other national parks. .