Clean Energy Pioneers: Stories of Everyday Leaders in Clean Energy
 "Clean Energy Pioneers" is a joint multi-media project produced by Environmental Defense Fund, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, and Western Resource Advocates. This series of monthly newsletters will tell the stories
of inspiring leaders from across the West who are forging a path to a clean energy economy. In the footsteps of these farmers, local officials, businesses and other leaders lies a road to a healthier economy and a cleaner environment.
"Water on the Rocks" Report Uncovers Oil Shale's Vast Cache of Water Rights
Over a year of research and work culminated with the release of "Water on the Rocks: Oil Shale Water Rights in Colorado." The report sheds light on the large volume of water already in the hands of oil shale development interests and warns of the problems that commercial oil shale extraction could cause for Colorado communities, farmers, ranchers, and western rivers. "Water on the Rocks" is the first report to catalogue these large holdings of water rights whose amount, location and ownership have been poorly understood until now. Click here to view the report, interactive maps of water rights and links page.
No Such Thing as a “Small” Donation
 Carter Harris, a five-and-a-half year old Boulder, CO resident, recently visited Western Resource Advocates’ offices with the rest of his family to see how his donation to WRA was being used. Last year, Carter gave a donation to a non-profit organization to do some good in the world and chose WRA. He sent $8 as his first donation “to help the cause.”
Carter wanted to help the environment and said he wants to have it around when he's older.
WRA is the recipient of donations large and small. We are grateful for every one we receive and work hard to make each one count.
Successful Past, Ambitious Future
2009 will be a year of challenges that keep us busy -- and opportunities that keep us enthusiastic about protecting the West’s land, air, and water. Please see our top priorities for this year. Our successes and ambitious schedule are possible because of the commitment of our members. Click here to join us or renew your giving.
 WRA Embraces New Energy Economy
Less than a day after being the example of President Obama's Green Economy at the signing of the Stimulus Bill in Denver, employees of Namaste Solar - Electric are working on the roof of WRA's offices in Boulder installing a 10 kilowatt solar array.
The solar panels will produce enough energy to power the entire building.
 WRA Receives Excellence in Renewable Energy Award from Colorado Governor
WRA's work with utilities to move them away from dirty fossil fuels and toward clean, renewable energy earned them the "Governor's Excellence in Renewable Energy" Award.
WRA was one of five recipients of this second annual award given by Colorado Governor Bill Ritter.
Read more about this honor.
 Smart Lines Report Released
WRA Rolls Out Concepts for a Smarter Electrical Grid
All the renewable energy projects in the West will not have an impact unless there is the transmission to get it to market. Government and industry are recognizing this fact and options are being considered to bring more capacity, more lines and more access to the grid.
But poorly designed transmission remedies will have serious environmental consequences and run into significant opposition. Western Resource Advocates' Smart Lines Report shows how to do transmission right. Click here to read the report.
Roan Plateau Gets a Reprieve
Legal action by WRA, Earth Justice and other concerned groups resulted in a ban on any surface disturbance on the Roan Plateau’s public oil and gas leases until September, 2009. The ban stems from injunctions that were filed opposing the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) decision to open wilderness-quality public lands on the Roan Plateau for drilling of over 3,600 oil and gas wells. This ban ensures that the concerns expressed by WRA and others will be decided in Federal Court before any well is drilled.
Our work on this case is vitally important. On September 29th, 2008 the BLM issued oil and gas development leases for the public lands on the Roan Plateau -- completely disregarding over 15,000 protests filed by concerned parties ranging from local residents to the State of Colorado. On the same day, WRA, a team of sportsmen, recreation, and conservation groups filed for an injunction in federal court to prevent full-scale drilling of the Roan Plateau and to protect its important natural values. The Roan Plateau is an island of biological richness and diversity unique in western Colorado that provides millions of dollars in revenue to the local economy through hunting alone.
Read more about WRA’s work to protect the Roan Plateau.
Recent Developments:
- WRA’s Charles Benjamin was appointed to a Blue Ribbon Panel on renewable energy by Nevada Senator Harry Reid. The panel is charged with moving Nevada toward a
clean energy future and making the state a net exporter of renewable energy.
- WRA joined in a lawsuit to prevent implementation of federal policies intended to fast track commercial oil shale development in advance of viable technologies and
adequate environmental protection.
- In a huge win for the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and the Gunnison River, a judge issued a water rights decree on a WRA-brokered settlement that returns
spring peak flows to the river, returning it to ecological health.
- After WRA won a suit against an unwise tar sands development project in the Antelope Creek area of Utah, the project was withdrawn. Tar sands is a tremendously dirty fuel
source with grave environmental consequences for the region’s air and water.
- WRA prevailed in a case against the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), proving
the BLM failed to adequately protect priceless archeological sites in Utah’s Red Rock
country when issuing grazing leases. The BLM must now improve its practices.
- WRA is working in Wyoming to improve oil and gas drilling practices and to return air quality to safe levels. Air quality in some areas of Wyoming has gone from the best in the nation to among the worst.
- Also in Wyoming, where toxins are poisoning wells and causing illness in some
communities, WRA is pressing for disclosure of the health impacts of oil and gas
drilling.
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Upcoming Events
June 30- July 1, 2009
3rd Concentrating Solar Power Summit
Charles Benjamin, Director of WRA's Nevada Office, will speak twice at this conference that focuses on possibly the most promising utility-scale solar power technology. Charles will be on a panel discussing "Regulation and Transmission - A Guide" and will also provide a presentation on WRA's "Smart Energy Plan For Nevada." More information on this conference can be found on the CSP Summit website.
July 13-14, 2009
The Sixth Annual Comprehensive Conference on
Energy in the Southwest
This event, co-chaired by WRA Energy Program Chief Counsel Steven Michel, will discuss new markets, policies and regulation that will affect the future of energy in the Southwest. Federal state and local officials as well as represnetatives from the legal, business and environmeental community will participate. More information is available on the conference's website.
Please check back regularly for additions to our events schedule, or sign up
for our e-newsletter to get updates delivered to your inbox.
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