News Miner, by Matt Buxton.  Ray Latchem, the president of Spectrum LNG, LLC, outlined what he says is a more economically viable North Slope natural gas processing facility than the state’s project to a luncheon hosted by the Fairbanks Economic Development Corporation on Wednesday.

ESA Working Group Hears from Participants from Across the Nation on the Need to Improve and Update the Law

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Endangered Species Act (ESA) Congressional Working Group, led by Representatives Doc Hastings (WA-04) and Cynthia Lummis (WY-at large), today held a forum entitled “Reviewing 40 Years of the Endangered Species Act and Seeking Improvement for People and Species.”  The forum featured 17 panelists, representing diverse groups and interests from across the country who discussed ways in which the Endangered Species Act could be strengthened and improved to better serve the needs of both species and people.  Participants specifically highlighted the need to empower states, local governments, and private landowners to conserve species and avoid federal listings, the need for balance within the law, the importance of transparent data and science and the need to prevent the ESA from being used as a tool for lawsuits and closed-door settlements with litigious groups.