Jake Bolster

Read this very deep dive from @jakebolster.bsky.social : "you’re not supposed to get a permit...unless you...prove that you can bring the land back to what it was like before mining. Of course, if you don’t follow the science, then that means nothing.” - Shiloh Hernandez at @earthjustice.org #coal

New Lawsuit Aims to Halt Expansion of a Montana Coal Mine Blamed for Drying up the Land Above It - Inside Climate News The proposed expansion of Signal Peak Energy’s Bull Mountains Mine has also revived scrutiny of a controversial land swap bill that would deprive Musselshell County of tax revenue.

Environmentalists have filed a new lawsuit aimed at the Bull Mountains mine in MT. This could revive bitter local debates over the value of the mine.

“Whoever can grab the messaging wins,” one person told me. “It’s the psychology of being a coal town."

Wyoming's budget session kicks off today, and lawmakers will begin deciding how to fund wildfire suppression and recovery efforts. Revisit my reporting to catch up on what foresters and other wildfire experts say Wyoming must do to be ready for a fiery future.

If you're wondering what potential litigation strategies in both basins could look like, check out my latest with @wyattmyskow.bsky.social. The basin's deadline is Valentines Day.

Despite Limited Interest in Drilling on Federal Land, Forest Service ‘Streamlines’ Oil and Gas Leasing Rules - Inside Climate News The U.S. Forest Service announced revisions to its oil and gas leasing rules on Tuesday that the agency promises “modernizes and streamlines” the permitting process to drill for fossil fuels in the na...

Today, the Forest Service published "streamlined" rules for oil and gas leasing on lands it manages. Yesterday, I wrote about the subtle, but impactful changes for @insideclimatenews.org —including potentially less scrupulous environmental reviews. insideclimatenews.org/news/2701202...

A Record Wildfire Season Inspires Wyoming to Prepare for an Increasingly Fiery Future - Inside Climate News As the Cowboy State faces larger and costlier blazes, scientists warn that the flames could make many of its iconic landscapes unrecognizable within decades.

As budget cuts loom, the record-setting 2024 wildfire season still hangs over Wyoming. For @insideclimatenews.org, I spent months asking people how well the Cowboy State is prepared to live with larger, more expensive fires. In short: few know what to expect. insideclimatenews.org/news/1901202...

Trump’s Push for Coal in Colorado Could Bring ‘Massive’ Harm to Public Lands and Rural Communities, Advocates Say - Inside Climate News The EPA’s rejection of Colorado’s regional haze plan and orders from the Trump administration to keep coal plants online in the state have advocates worried about damage to protected areas.

The EPA's rejection of Colorado's regional haze plan has many worried about air quality and climate commitments in Colorado. Some see it as another "massive hammer" to public lands. Read my latest for @insideclimatenews.org to learn why. insideclimatenews.org/news/1601202...

Are Declining Stocking Rates Underexplored By Scientists? - Inside Climate News A new study says researchers could be missing important climate and environmental changes associated with reduced livestock grazing.

As herd numbers decrease in rich countries, a new study suggests scientists have been slow to examine the effects of this trend.

“It's not only an opportunity but a need if we want to have a full picture of climate change,” one of the paper's authors told me. insideclimatenews.org/news/1201202...

Arizona Comes to Agreement With Major Dairy Farm to Cut Groundwater Pumping That Is Draining Wells - Inside Climate News Willcox is ground zero for Arizona’s groundwater crisis. The state’s settlement with Riverview, the company draining the town’s aquifer, requires it to fallow fields and compensate affected well owner...

For the first time ever, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has secured a settlement between her office and a major ag producer to cut its water use and pay homeowners whose wells it has caused to go dry.

My latest story from the Willcox basin:

insideclimatenews.org/news/1001202...

Following my reporting last month, an investigation confirms South32’s antimony levels in Oct. exceeded the regulatory limit, but levels have gone down slightly since then.

The report also outlines the corrective actions taken:

static.azdeq.gov/permits/sout...

Always fun to collaborate on a story. Check out @wyattmyskow.bsky.social, @blancabegert.bsky.social, and my coverage of the state of Colorado River negotiations.

Wyoming Ranchers Hoping Solar Can Lower Costs Say Utilities and the State Stand in Their Way - Inside Climate News Lower electricity bills could help two Cokeville cattlemen compete and pass their businesses on to their kids, they say, but lawmakers won’t let ranch-scale solar projects feed power to the grid.

I went to Cokeville, WY, to hear why two ranchers there are pursuing rooftop solar.

Despite potentially saving them as much as $150k annually, they told me state laws make the tech uneconomical.

Read my latest on the net metering debate in WY. insideclimatenews.org/news/1412202...

New US National Parks Fees For International Visitors Draw Scrutiny - Inside Climate News Environmentalists and former agency employees warn of increased workloads for park employees at a time when park staffing is already low.

Yesterday’s announcement from DOI on new National Park fees drew mixed reaction from environmentalists, NPS allies, and gateway businesses. I broke it all down for @insideclimatenews.org: insideclimatenews.org/news/2611202...

The West’s vanishing porcupines - High Country News Scientists are racing to figure out why porcupines are disappearing from their former stomping grounds.

Two things I didn't really know about #porcupines until I did a story for @highcountrynews.org about them: 1. They're disappearing across the West. Scientists don't really know why.

Thanks to @thatsmohrlikeit.bsky.social for your SHARP edits, as usual!

www.hcn.org/articles/the...

Before the public can act, they must know. But China is silencing independent journalists reporting on the environmental impacts of its massive Belt and Road Initiative—mines, ports, dams, power plants etc in mostly poor countries.

Here’s how they’re doing it and why it matters.

Reintroduced Carnivores’ Impacts on Ecosystems Are Still Coming Into Focus - Inside Climate News Yellowstone has long been a mecca for scientists studying how predators affect everything from elk grazing to vegetation height. They are still debating how to make sense of what they’ve learned.

Can ecosystems that lose large carnivores like wolves, bears, or pumas revert to a pre-extinction state when they are reintroduced? Check out my latest to learn why Yellowstone has become the preeminent place for scientists trying to answer that question. insideclimatenews.org/news/2211202...

When it comes to ecology, and especially trophic cascades, well, it's complicated. Nice piece by my colleague @jakebolster.bsky.social on new work from Chris Wilmers, @taaltree.bsky.social and colleagues on the ecological role of large carnivores and the wisdom of conservation over restoration.

A Growing Number of ‘Repair Cafes’ Are Popping Up Around the World to Curb Consumer Waste - Inside Climate News Local communities are hosting events where people can bring in their broken goods for repairs—free of charge.

A timeline cleanser: My recent newsletter is about rise of "repair cafes" around the world, where communities come together to fix each other's beloved things. The goal: reduce consumer waste, and maybe make some buddies in the process 🔧👭

insideclimatenews.org/news/1111202...

States and Nonprofits Are Helping National Parks Run During the Shutdown. Could Their Efforts Backfire? - Inside Climate News Some worry the Trump administration may use efforts by entities outside the U.S. government to fill operational gaps at national parks to justify further shrinking federal management.

We're in uncharted territory for a shutdown, and so are states and orgs helping national parks. But could offering aid backfire? I spoke with CO Gov. Polis, a former park superintendent, and others about the nuance of offering national parks support under Trump: insideclimatenews.org/news/0711202...

Why Are Rates Rising Faster at Investor-Owned Utilities Than at Public Utilities? - Inside Climate News Case studies from California offer a look into the pros and cons of public and private utilities.

This headline asks a question that makes investor-owned utilities squirm. Nice work from my colleague @blancabegert.bsky.social:
insideclimatenews.org/news/0511202...

NYC Mayor-Elect Mamdani to Face Pressing Climate, Environment Issues - Inside Climate News Zohran Mamdani will need to enforce the city’s building decarbonization law, enact his green school policy and handle the climate change-related issues residents often face—like flooding and extreme h...

NYC mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has vowed to address climate issues, including in his “Green Schools for a Healthier New York City” policy proposal, which would renovate 500 schools across the city.

At @insideclimatenews.org, we're keeping track of environmental lawsuits involving the Trump administration thanks to great work by my colleagues @peteraldhous.com and @mlavelle.bsky.social. Keep this one handy: insideclimatenews.org/news/0411202...

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This technology has tremendous potential in the West. Dan does a deep dive into the hurdles (cow's are bulky and run into things) and benefits (healthier grasses with less water) that a few intrepid scientists and ranchers are navigating. Give it a read!

Western States Brace for a Uranium Boom as the Nation Looks to Recharge its Nuclear Power Industry - Inside Climate News After years of federal efforts to revive nuclear power, old mines are stirring again in Wyoming, Texas and Arizona, while new ones line up for permitting expedited by a Trump executive order.

Nuclear is on the verge of a comeback.

But where will the uranium to power new reactors come from?

@jakebolster.bsky.social, @dylanbaddour.bsky.social and I dive into the resurgence of uranium mining and the impacts it will have on communities.

insideclimatenews.org/news/0211202...

Western States Brace for a Uranium Boom as the Nation Looks to Recharge its Nuclear Power Industry - Inside Climate News After years of federal efforts to revive nuclear power, old mines are stirring again in Wyoming, Texas and Arizona, while new ones line up for permitting expedited by a Trump executive order.

When uranium prices go up, uranium mines spread out. As the U.S. seeks to revive its nuclear energy supply chain, @wyattmyskow.bsky.social, @dylanbaddour.bsky.social, and I dug into what this may mean for Western communities and landscapes home to U.S. uranium. insideclimatenews.org/news/0211202...

At Rallies in Utah and Wyoming, PacifiCorp Customers Urge the Utility to Pursue Renewables - Inside Climate News Residents of both states fear increased pollution and higher bills if the company does not ramp up its investments in wind, solar and batteries.

Utahns and Wyomingites raised concerns Wednesday about PacifiCorp's plan to prolong fossil fuels' use on the Western Grid. A few even did so in costume 🧌👻. See my latest to learn why Westerners are asking for more renewables and fewer fossil fuels.
insideclimatenews.org/news/3110202...

AI Is Pushing Climate Goals Out of Reach, New Reports Say - Inside Climate News Without a big increase in investment in renewable energy globally, humanity will not limit global temperature rise to 2 degrees Celsius, but much of the data center boom is powered by fossil fuels.

Two new reports show how AI may be putting global and U.S. emissions targets out of reach. But some say data centers could “supercharge clean energy.” Learn more in my latest.

insideclimatenews.org/news/2910202...

Wyoming’s Draft Pilot Conservation Program ‘A Good Starting Point’ but There’s Room For Improvement - Inside Climate News State water officials heard public feedback on its proposed water conservation program as Wyoming prepares for the fallout of Colorado River negotiations.

Wyoming gave a preview of a water a pilot conservation program in the Green River basin Wednesday as Colorado River negotiations barrel forward. It's a good start, but work remains, observers said. insideclimatenews.org/news/1710202...

The Sage Grouse Could Face More Development in Its Critical Habitat Under Trump - Inside Climate News In Wyoming, environmentalists took to the sky this month to warn of impending changes to some of the best sage grouse habitat in the world.

The BLM is redoing two management plans, both with implications for sage grouse in Wyoming. Check out our coverage, including some great photos, and an awesome graphic from @paulhornographic.bsky.social.
insideclimatenews.org/news/0410202...