Topic: U.S. Department of the Interior

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Gulf oil spill: Two years later, safety lessons ignored

In its rush to pump more oil, America is ignoring the key lesson of the Gulf oil spill two years ago. Complex drilling, wherever it occurs, comes with unknowable risks.
President Algae? Obama not green enough, say environmentalists

President Obama has blocked the Keystone pipeline, backed biofuels, and prioritizes the earth over people, say GOP presidential candidates. Environmentalists say Obama is a big disappointment. Who's right?
Decoder Wire Did Ron Paul get robbed of Virgin Island victory?

Ron Paul received the most votes in the US Virgin Islands caucuses over the weekend, but Mitt Romney got more pledged delegates.
Robert Reich Gas prices: How rising fuel costs influence lawmakers

Gas prices are up, and it's already prompted Republicans to pass a bill to expand offshore drilling and and force the White House to issue a permit for the Keystone XL pipeline. But the hike in gas prices won't be as steep, or lasting, as some think.
Change Agent Paddling down the Colorado River to surface its secrets

Will Stauffer-Norris and Zak Podmore traveled 1,700 miles to assess the state of the beautiful but threatened Colorado River.
State of the Union: Why Obama energy blueprint has Republicans fuming (+video)

Obama's State of the Union endorsement of an 'all of the above' strategy for energy production rankled Republicans, who see it as disingenuous given his Keystone XL pipeline rejection and fracking probes.
Martin Luther King, Jr.: Who misquoted King so monumentally?

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar says a key quote on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial must be changed. Poet Maya Angelou had said it makes the civil rights leader sound ‘like an arrogant twit.’
Martin Luther King Jr. memorial quote to be changed

Martin Luther King Jr. and his words were etched into stone on a monument in Washington last summer, but historians say a quote inscribed on the monument does not accurately reflect his words and even make King sound like "an arrogant twit". The U.S. Department of the Interior is planning on changing the quote.
Obama seeks power to shrink federal government

Obama will call on Congress to give him a type of reorganizational power last held by a president when Ronald Reagan was in office.
Grand Canyon ban on new mining riles Republicans

US Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced a 20-year ban on new mining claims near the Grand Canyon in Arizona on Monday.
The Vote Ron Paul ad blitz: Will it work?

Ron Paul has jumped into the fray early as the first presidential candidate to start a major ad campaign in Iowa and New Hampshire. In Iowa in particular, it could have an impact.
10/21/2011 06:38 pm
Global warming a threat to polar bears? Judge orders review of US rule.

A judge rules that the US has met its obligations for protecting polar bears, but ordered a review of a special rule that excludes greenhouse gases from the list of threats to the bears.
10/18/2011 06:49 pm
The Vote Take that, Herman Cain! Ron Paul proposes $1 trillion in budget cuts.

The Internet might be atwitter with theories about Ron Paul's eyebrows (seriously), but he rises above the fray to propose the mother of all budget cuts. Yes, that's $1 trillion in one year.
10/17/2011 07:56 pm
Rick Perry jobs plan: Make rest of America more like Texas

Texas Gov. Rick Perry, in an address in Pennsylvania, says the energy sector could create jobs in plenty of states where there are resources, and vows to lead charge to clear regulatory hurdles.
10/14/2011 05:45 pm
Monitor Breakfast Interior secretary: 'Fracking' can be safe and responsible (VIDEO)

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar says the controversial practice of hydraulic fracturing – or fracking – to collect natural gas can be done 'in a safe way.' New federal fracking rules are in the works.
10/05/2011 04:27 pm
On the Economy Finally, a jobs plan that will work

Representative Jan Schakowsky's job plan is simple, direct, and effective
09/16/2011 07:00 pm
Shell oil spill in North Sea damages company's credibility

Shell oil spill: Although the amount of oil involved in the Shell spill off the coast of Scotland is an order of magnitude smaller than BP's 2010 Gulf of Mexico disaster — around 1,300 barrels so far compared to an estimated 4.9 million in the Gulf — the spill undercuts Shell's earlier suggestions that it is a safer company than BP.
08/16/2011 03:52 pm
What can Congress do to create jobs? Five Republican proposals.

Amid worries that the economy may be tipping toward a second recession, both Republicans and Democrats say creating jobs is their top priority. But the two parties are far apart on their approaches. Democrats favor targeted stimulus – investments in infrastructure, clean energy, and education – while hiking taxes on corporations and the rich to fund this jobs spending. Republicans aim to curb government regulation and cut taxes to give businesses and individuals more incentive to invest. Here are the Republicans' top five priorities.
08/11/2011 10:06 am
Gulf oil spill aftermath: 'Drill, baby, drill' era may be gone forever

The Gulf oil spill was capped a year ago Friday, but offshore drilling is still far off its pre-spill pace. With a new regulatory agency putting a greater emphasis on safety, the industry might have to adjust to a new normal.
07/15/2011 01:29 pm
Time to pitch your tent ... in New York City? US touts urban camping plan.

US plan to create 'great urban parks' set to begin in New York City, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said Monday. It's part of Obama's bid to reconnect young people with the great outdoors.
06/14/2011 03:47 pm
Wolf wars: Can man and predator coexist in the West?

As the gray wolf comes off the Endangered Species list, new questions swirl about whether the animal can survive without federal protection – and its impact on cattle and other wildlife. The view from one ranch.
06/03/2011 03:13 pm
Bill to chop Big Oil's tax breaks falls short – but makes its point

Senate Republicans halt a bill that would take away multibillion-dollar tax breaks for oil companies. Wednesday, Democrats are expected stop a bill that would force Obama's hand on Gulf drilling permits. 'It’s summertime symbolic politics' in Washington.
05/17/2011 09:36 pm
Obama says 'Drill, baby, drill.' Will new oil policy ease gas prices?

President Obama used his weekly address to announce steps to promote greater domestic oil production and reduce the burden of high gas prices. Republicans say it's not enough.
05/14/2011 01:57 pm
Gulf oil spill: failure of blowout preventer traced to bent drill pipe

A team of Norwegian experts concludes that the ‘blind-shear ram,’ which was part of the blowout preventer, was not designed to deal with the bent pipe. Their report on this aspect of the Gulf oil spill was released Wednesday.
03/23/2011 09:48 pm
Republicans fear 'war on the West' in new wild lands protection

Western Republican lawmakers and governors object to Obama administration plans to consider whether millions of acres of federal land in the West should be protected as 'wild lands.'
03/02/2011 06:45 pm