Analysis

Could the 151-year-old mining law finally be reformed?
Could the 151-year-old mining law finally be reformed?
A working group calls for reforms in advance of a green metals boom.
Public lands had a roller coaster month
Public lands had a roller coaster month
Rounding up the Biden administration’s ups and downs on land policy.
The West sizzles — even at midnight
The West sizzles — even at midnight
Climate change and the urban heat islands take their toll from Phoenix to Portland.
Trump’s infrastructure order threatens local right to protect the environment
Trump’s infrastructure order threatens local right to protect the environment
Washington blocked a coal terminal under the Clean Water Act. New rules could subvert that authority.
Climate cases set the stage for oil and gas leasing reform
Climate cases set the stage for oil and gas leasing reform
The decisions could curb greenhouse gas emissions from public lands.
New Mexico’s ‘mini’ Green New Deal, dissected
New Mexico’s ‘mini’ Green New Deal, dissected
The Energy Transition Act could be a model for ambitious policies of the future.
Kiowa writer N. Scott Momaday finally gets the film he deserves
Kiowa writer N. Scott Momaday finally gets the film he deserves
Jeffrey Palmer gives us a glimpse of the Indigenous literary giant in ‘Words from a Bear.’
The science behind Colorado’s historic avalanches
The science behind Colorado’s historic avalanches
Are such unprecedented slides due to climate change, abnormal weather, or both?
Gay rodeo and the subversion of Western clichés
Gay rodeo and the subversion of Western clichés
A photo exhibit asks viewers to ponder whether, in reclaiming the idea of the cowboy, gay rodeos renounce violence or reinvest in it.
Zinke leaves unfinished business at the Interior Department
Zinke leaves unfinished business at the Interior Department
The questionable legality of the Trump administration’s aggressive deregulatory and development-friendly policies could end up being its undoing.
What you lose when you lose local news
What you lose when you lose local news
People are less likely to vote, and politics become more polarized.
How best to share the disappearing Colorado River
How best to share the disappearing Colorado River
Seven Western states must rewrite the rules of the river and cut water use — before they bleed the critical artery dry.
When a huge utility company pledges to go carbon free
When a huge utility company pledges to go carbon free
Xcel Energy says it wants to ‘step up and do more’ to reduce greenhouse gases.
Hunting faces an ethical reckoning
Hunting faces an ethical reckoning
Gruesome social media videos show how far modern hunting has drifted from its roots.
Do climate policies have a negative effect on jobs?
Do climate policies have a negative effect on jobs?
Climate change will hurt the economy if not addressed, but evidence on how environmental regulations affect unemployment is mixed.
Trump’s policies aren’t actually fueling a fracking boom
Trump’s policies aren’t actually fueling a fracking boom
Current drilling remains a shadow of the frenzy that occurred under Obama.
Inside Colorado’s ‘hotbed’ of wildlife conflict
Inside Colorado’s ‘hotbed’ of wildlife conflict
Documents show flawed management leads to unnecessary killings of bighorn sheep.
A judge just dealt a potentially fatal blow to Keystone XL
A judge just dealt a potentially fatal blow to Keystone XL
Trump’s approval of the oil pipeline failed to account for environmental impacts.
California wildfires weren’t always this destructive
California wildfires weren’t always this destructive
Indigenous residents say traditional practices and careful burns could temper blazes.
Where the wild things are
Where the wild things are
The new Haida film Sgaawaay K’uuna is as far from Hollywood as can be – and that’s its greatest strength.
As the border wall grows, smuggling tunnels proliferate
As the border wall grows, smuggling tunnels proliferate
The Trump administration is ignoring a big question: How do you secure a border below ground?
Interior Department issues order to avoid settlements
Interior Department issues order to avoid settlements
Critics say the decree will slow down the implementation of enacted laws.
Why don’t anti-Indian groups count as hate groups?
Why don’t anti-Indian groups count as hate groups?
The current understanding of ‘hate groups’ excludes those who undermine tribal rights and sovereignty.
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