Matthew’s Recent Stories
Politics Mar 09
U.S. officials say report on oil and gas sale ban due by summerA long-term ban on sales from the nation's vast, publicly-owned oil and gas reserves to address climate change would fulfill a campaign pledge from Democratic President Joe Biden.
Politics Mar 08
Trump policy that weakened wild bird protections is revokedThe move halted enforcement practices that resulted most notably in a $100 million settlement after the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill killed about 100,000 birds.
Politics Feb 26
Interior Secretary nominee Deb Haaland’s grilling raises questions on biasThose who support the Democratic congresswoman from New Mexico say Haaland is being attacked for her ethnicity and beliefs that are widespread among Native Americans.
Nation Feb 11
Judge overturns Trump action that lifted mining ban in U.S. WestU.S. District Judge Lynn Winmill said in Thursday's ruling that the decision under Trump to cancel a prior effort to ban mining failed to fully consider how the move would affect greater sage grouse.
Nation Feb 11
U.S. agency cancels Trump policy on conservation purchasesActing Interior Secretary Scott de la Vega on Thursday rescinded a November order from former Secretary David Bernhardt that was criticized by lawmakers from both parties in Congress.
Politics Feb 04
AP report: Biden delays Trump rule that weakened wild bird protectionsU.S. wildlife officials said the rule could mean more birds die, including those that land in oil pits or collide with power lines. Under Trump, the government sided with industry groups seeking to end prosecutions of accidental but preventable bird…
Politics Jan 21
Biden suspends oil, gas leases on public lands for 60 daysThe move follows campaign pledges by President Joe Biden to halt new drilling on U.S. lands and end the leasing of publicly owned energy reserves as part of his plan to address climate change.
Politics Nov 18
Trump pushes new environmental rollbacks on way out the doorDown to its final weeks, the Trump administration is working to push through dozens of rollbacks that could weaken century-old protections for migratory birds, expand Arctic drilling and hamstring future regulation of public health threats.
Science Oct 29
Trump officials end gray wolf protections across most of U.S.Gray wolves have recovered from near extinction in parts of the country but remain absent from much of their historical range. Biologists who reviewed the administration's plan to strip protection from wolves say it lacked scientific justification.
Economy Oct 06
Trump administration faulted over breaks for oil companiesA U.S. government watchdog agency is faulting the Trump administration's handling of a COVID-19 relief effort that awarded energy companies breaks on payments for oil and gas extracted from public lands in Western states in more than 500 cases.