Those who missed it may scroll down for yesterday's important report connecting the dots among those who would kill American energy independence.  -dh


WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, (NGP US Senator LiS Senator Lisa Murkowski, Organ Mountain, Photo by Dave HarbourPhoto), today questioned President Obama’s decision to use the Antiquities Act to lock up nearly 500,000 acres of public land in New Mexico despite bipartisan legislation moving through Congress to achieve similar goal of protecting the Organ Mountain area.   (Scroll down for House Member Doc Hastings' reaction yesterday to the President's Organ Mountain action….  -dh)

“The president’s willingness to designate a national monument of this size, despite ongoing efforts in Congress and significant local opposition sets an ominous precedent.” Murkowski said. “And if he is comfortable making his largest national monument with the opposition of local representatives, what does that mean for the rest of us? Today, the concerns of New Mexico lawmakers are being ignored. Tomorrow, maybe it’s someone else.” 

The president’s decision contradicts recent statements by Department of Interior Secretary Sally Jewell that her agency would not pursue federal land protection designations in places where there was significant local opposition. 

“The fact that this administration says one thing but does another when it comes to management of public lands should concern everyone who lives in Alaska and the West,” Murkowski said. 

President Obama’s proclamation will designate 496,000 acres in New Mexico as a national monument. Rep. Steven Pearce, R-N.M., whose congressional district covers the region, has objected to the use of the Antiquities Act to create such a large monument. Pearce has legislation to protect the essential elements of the Organ Mountain areas, which, unlike the president’s designation, has widespread local support, including that of New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez. 

Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, has written a letter to the president warning that the proposed national monument could impede the ability of law enforcement to deal with drug trafficking and other criminal activity along the U.S.-Mexico border.


Policies that raise energy costs limit economic growth
Limiting the availability and raising the cost of energy can hurt Canada’s overall economy and weaken future growth, concludes Energy Abundance and Economic Growth. Read more


Canadian oil can make the world a safer place (Calgary Herald, Toronto Sun and Edmonton Journal, May 14) by Mark Milke


Today's Houston Chronicle Energy News:

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TransCanada explores oil by rail as Keystone XL process drags

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Marathon Petroleum buys Hess retail for $2.87 billion

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Russia-China deal risks damping LNG prices

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Obama divides power players with pollution rule utilities accept

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Putin’s China gas deal risks lower returns for Gazprom

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Service companies extend $2 billion loan to Venezuela

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Estimate of recoverable Monterey Shale oil slashed

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Exxon and Linn to swap assets

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BP asks appeals court to keep blocking payouts to businesses

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BP investors win bid to form class in oil spill lawsuit