Topic: U.S. Department of the Interior

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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

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Decoder Wire A national park on the moon? Fire up the minivan!

Two lawmakers have proposed an Apollo Lunar Landing Sites National Historical Park to preserve Apollo artifacts. Which raises the questions of how do we get there, and will there be T-shirts?
Energy Voices US opens first bid for offshore wind energy

America's first offshore wind lease sale will take place in July, the Interior Department announced Tuesday. It's good news for the US wind industry, which is hoping to expand beyond land-based production.
Energy Voices Does the US need federal fracking regulations?

Federal regulations on fracking barely apply because the states involved already have a say in the way drilling proceeds, Graeber writes. Perhaps, he adds, it's the energy industry that has a right to question why the government 'is moving forward with these requirements in the first place.'
Why wind farms kill eagles with federal impunity

Oil companies are prosecuted when a bird drowns in a waste pit. But the Obama administration has never fined or prosecuted a wind-energy company for similar protected bird deaths. An estimated 573,000 birds are killed by US wind farms each year.
Energy Voices Sally Jewell: How 'green' is the new Interior secretary?

Sally Jewell's first moves as secretary of the US Interior Department show so far that she's embracing her dual legacy as an environmental steward with rare ties to the oil industry, Graeber writes.
In Gear Obama administration to add 10,000 hybrids for 'green' government fleet

The Obama administration plans to add an additional 10,000 hybrid vehicles to its fleet of roughly 200,000 cars and trucks, Voelcker writes. Currently hybrids make up 5 percent of the government fleet.
Energy Voices More politics than policy in Arctic oil drilling debate

The political debates around Shell's Arctic drilling plans and the Keystone XL pipeline are becoming less about energy and more about partisanship, Graeber writes.
Conservationists reject polar bear trade ban

A proposal to ban the international trade of polar bear parts was rejected at a Bangkok gathering of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species after being opposed by Canada, Greenland, and Norway.
Energy Voices Spending cuts: What does the sequester mean for energy? (+video)

Spending cuts will hit a wide range of energy programs starting Friday, unless a deal is reached to avert the sequester. What do the spending cuts mean for fossil fuels and renewables?
Energy Voices Arctic drilling mishaps challenge promise of Alaskan oil

A series of recent Arctic drilling setbacks have reignited a debate over drilling for Alaskan oil. Shell says Arctic drilling would be an energy boon, but opponents doubt the feasibility of operating in such harsh conditions.
Horizons Google Apps makes gains on Microsoft Office

Google Apps was long seen as too lightweight to be a competitor to Microsoft Office. But Google Apps has added features and maintained a low price over the years, and now the cloud software suite is starting to tempt companies away from Microsoft Office.
Border security advocates eye remote lands

In an effort to beef up border security, some have argued wilderness areas near the Canadian and Mexican borders should not be subject to environmental review. Others say Border Patrol has enough roads, and more expansion could harm the soil and environment.
Mexico inaugurates new President Peña Nieto, but takes on 'old' party reputation

Corruption will likely be a constant challenge for Peña Nieto and his PRI party, which ruled Mexico for 71 years largely through graft before it lost the presidency in 2000.
EPA bans BP from federal contracts, citing 'lack of business integrity'

The action by the Environmental Protection Administration bars BP and its affiliates from new government contracts for an indefinite period, but won't affect existing contracts.
Presidential debate 101: In oil drilling spat, did Obama make his best case?

A tense exchange between Romney and Obama on oil drilling was perhaps the most contentious of the second presidential debate. Here's a look at what was said, and whether it was accurate.
Energy Voices Renewable energy: US takes new tack with 'solar energy zones'

Renewable energy road map establishes 17 solar energy zones in six western states. New tack is supposed to spur renewable energy development on federal lands, but some developers remain skeptical.
Coyotes, bears, and lions: the new urban pioneers?

New research suggests mountain lions and bears may be following the urban pioneering of raccoons, foxes and, most notably, coyotes as they slowly encroach on major US metro areas.
Polar bear scientist reprimanded for improper release of government documents

An Interior Department official said emails released by Charles Monnett were cited by a federal appeals court in decisions to vacate approval by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management of an oil and gas company's Arctic exploration plan.
Gibson Guitar Corporation admits to importing endangered wood

Gibson Guitar Corporation acknowledged Monday that its importations of exotic wood, including ebony, violated environmental laws. Federal prosecutors will drop criminal charges against Gibson Guitar Corporation, and the Nashville-based insturment maker will pay a hefty fine.
Earth as art: the top five Landsat images (+video)

As we mark Landsat's 40th birthday, we present you with some of the best images ever created by this Earth-monitoring satellite program.
Landsat program marks 40 years of photographing Earth from space (+video)

The Landsat program, a network of seven Earth-facing satellites, turns 40 on Monday.
Arctic drilling: US setting policy to protect environment, indigenous people

With receding sea ice allowing energy exploration in the Arctic, the US is set to unveil a five-year leasing plan that seeks to minimize the negative environmental impact of the drilling.
Briefing D.C. Decoder 101: How Washington spends your money

There's a lot of talk about cutting the US deficit but very little actual cutting of deficit. One reason? There's not much easy to cut. Decoder explains the six ways Washington spends money.
Change Agent Coalition helps the Connecticut River become the first National Blueway

Between 40 and 50 local and state entities, both public and private, from four states will work together to preserve the 410-mile-long Connecticut River and its watershed.
Private Empire

Pulitzer Prize-winner Steve Coll takes a close look at secretive behemoth that is Exxon Mobil.