PUBLIC LANDS: Energy companies have obtained enough oil and gas drilling permits for public lands in New Mexico and Wyoming to continue operations for years even if the Biden administration moves to impose restrictions. (Associated Press)

ALSO: President-elect Joe Biden’s administration could do much to advance renewables development on federal lands, a clean energy expert says. (Albuquerque Journal)

POLICY:
• Wyoming energy industry leaders and analysts explore several ways the state could capitalize on the transition from fossil fuels now that the U.S. Senate has flipped to favor Democrats. (Casper Star-Tribune)
• Meanwhile, Wyoming’s state legislature is becoming more conservative, raising questions about the future of social programs as fossil fuel revenues continue to fall. (Washington Post)
• A number of climate change proposals are reportedly on the agenda for Washington state during the upcoming legislative year. (South Seattle Herald)
• Climate activists in Denver are working on a ballot initiative that would create tax for energy usage above a certain threshold. (Denver Post)

CLEAN ENERGY:
• Advocates say clean energy offers “a major, novel path to economic diversification” for New Mexico, but critics disagree. (Albuquerque Journal)
• A group of Park City, Utah students are set to present a clean energy campaign developed with the Sierra Club to their school district for the second time this week. (KPCW)

OIL & GAS:
• A major offshore oil and gas proposal in Alaska and a plan to reopen millions of acres of Arctic waters to oil and gas development are among the many cases lost by the Trump administration involving the climate impacts of leasing. (Bloomberg)
• Alaska labor officials say economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic may take several years, particularly with significant oil and gas job losses predating the crisis. (Cordova Times)
• A New Mexico research team is looking for projects to research the treatment and reuse of produced water. (Albuquerque Journal)

SOLAR: A proposed Hawaii solar farm due to be built on prime farmland is opposed by the local community. (Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

COMMENTARY:
• Torrance County, New Mexico officials explain how wind energy investments have been a source of economic growth and business opportunities for the region. (Albuquerque Journal)
• A former member of Alaska’s state legislature says Republicans are ready to lead on clean energy and climate change. (Anchorage Daily News)

Lisa Ellwood

Lisa is a Lenape and Nanticoke Native American freelance journalist, editor and writer currently based in the U.K. She has more than two decades’ experience working in corporate communications and print and digital media. She compiles the Western Energy News daily email digest. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Temple University; her specializations include data journalism and visualization. She is a member of the Native American Journalists Association, Investigative Reporters & Editors, Society of Professional Journalists, and the National Union of Journalists (U.K.).