Jewell vows to make energy development on public lands cleaner

My responsibility to my grandchildren’s generation is at the top of my mind with every decision we make. That’s why I’m determined to help make energy development safer and more environmentally sound in the next two years,” Jewell said Tuesday to a standing-room only crowd of energy lobbyists, and environmentalists at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC.

LINK (via:High Country News)

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell speaks at National Press Club - Oct. 31, 2013

A number of conservation groups came out and praised a recent speech Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell gave on conservation to the National Press Club.

You can watch the entire speech and judge for yourself.

The full text – as prepared for delivery – is also available here.

A Chat with the Interior Secretary

In advance of National Public Lands Day, Interior Secretary Sally Jewell will host an online chat, tomorrow, September 25, at 1 p.m., ET, where she will discuss the importance of our nation's public lands, connecting the next generation to the great outdoors, and the President's Climate Action Plan.

To watch the chat live, click here www.doi.gov/live.

This Week at Interior

Welcome to Washington!

LINK (via: EcoWatch)

To Our New Secretary Of The Interior

While the confirmation of new Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell has been universally praised by a broad spectrum of outdoor advocacy groups, Dylan Tomine has some more specific thoughts for the new Interior Secretary.

Dear Secretary Jewell—

First of all, congratulations on your Senate confirmation. As someone who makes a living  in the outdoor recreation industry, I am excited to have “one of our own” making the tough decisions about how this country uses its public land and water. Though I’m sure you won’t lack for various interests expressing their hopes for your tenure, I thought here at the beginning, I might presume to offer a few thoughts:

Read the rest of Dylan's letter.

One of Dylan's thoughts concerns the disclosure of the chemicals used in fracking for oil and natural gas.

Coincidently one of Jewell's first tasks will be releasing the Interior Department's proposal to regulate oil-and-gas “fracking” on public lands.

Obama taps REI chief Sally Jewell for interior secretary

In what is a huge nod to the economic power of the outdoor recreation industry, REI CEO Sally Jewell has been nominated to succeed Ken Salazar as Secretary of the Interior. If confirmed by the Senate, she will be the first secretary of the interior in nearly 30 years who comes from outside the beltway.

While the choice has been universally praised by outdoor trade groups (including AFFTA) and conservation organizations, some of those who never met a public land they didn't want to exploit are taking a wait and see attitude.

Having worked closely with REI for the last 10 years I can say this is great news for anyone who cares about preserving our public lands.

LINK (via The Washington Post)