The Wilderness Society

Wilderness Blog

Latest Posts tagged with "gas"

Report: ‘Energy Independence’ thwarted as U.S. oil and gas heads overseas

November 7, 2011 By Neil Shader

Credit: Lens Envy, flickr creative commons

These days the phrase ‘energy independence’ has become code for drilling our wild public lands. But what some may not realize is that oil and gas from our wildlands is not staying in the United States. As it turns out, the oil, gas, and coal that is drilled and mined from right here in the U.S. is actually leaving American shores to fuel cars and furnaces in places like Europe, China, and India. Read more

Hydraulic Fracturing Perils: Does your state protects its citizens from fracking?

July 7, 2011 By Krisinda Corbin

Waste pit on hydraulic fracturing site

Credit: Photo by TXsharon, Courtesy Photobucket

Worries over the safety of hydraulic fracturing or “fracking,” as a method to drill for oil and natural gas continue to grow across the United States. The oil and gas industry loves to say that hydraulic fracturing is safe, as long as the fracking process is done correctly. If this is the case, why won’t they disclose which chemicals they are pumping into the ground? We believe the status quo on hydraulic fracturing is inadequate to ensure the safety of communities and wild lands. Americans clearly agree. Read more

Bridger-Teton National Forest: Drilling doesn’t belong here

June 3, 2011 By David Madison

44K Area in Wyoming

Credit: Dave Showalter

This year your support helped pull 44,700 acres of western Wyoming’s beautiful Bridger-Teton National Forest lands off the oil and gas chopping block, but now we must report to you that our victory is being threatened — and could even be reversed — by the powerful oil and gas industry. The announcement came after complaints from the oil and gas industry — and political pressure from the Congressional Western Caucus. Region: Central Rockies Read more

Natural Gas needs to be Done Right - Bill Meadows in the National Journal

April 26, 2011 By Neil Shader

The Wilderness Society President Bill Meadows comments on the role of natural gas in our energy policy - and the need, above all, to make sure that any energy energy development is "done right" Read more at the National Journal Read more

Reality Check: The Facts About Protecting America’s Wild Lands

April 25, 2011 By Juli Slivka

Our western wild lands were dealt a heavy blow recently when Congress passed a bill to fund the federal government through the remainder of fiscal year with a provision that prohibits the use of funds to implement the Bureau of Land Management’s Wild Lands policy. Read more

Big Oil Wants More Wildlands: But drilling more won’t lower gas prices

March 22, 2011 By Kitty Thomas

With the advent of spring, many Americans are looking forward to reconnecting with our lands. The oil companies, however, are looking forward to drilling on our lands. With summer driving season just a few months off, the oil companies and their allies in Congress have begun to beat the drum about “more drilling.” They say that it will lower the price at the pump, although that simply isn’t so. In fact, the United States on an annual basis drills more oil and gas wells than any other country on earth. Read more

Wyoming Range drilling cancelled! Upper Hoback still needs our help

February 4, 2011 By David Madison

A sad fate for more than 44,000 acres of unspoiled lands in western Wyoming’s Bridger-Teton National Forest has just taken an incredible turn for the better. Our work with local residents, sportsmen, decision makers and partner groups has finally led to the Bridger-Teton National Forest’s cancellation of oil and gas leases on 44,720 acres in this southern part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Region: Central Rockies Read more

Arctic Waters Safe for Now! Shell ditches plans to drill this year

February 4, 2011 By Neil Shader

Another victory in the Arctic! The Arctic Ocean’s pristine waters and abundant wildlife are safe from drilling for another year. Shell Oil announced Feb. 3 that it has abandoned its plans to drill an exploratory well in the Beaufort Sea several miles off the coast of Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in 2011. Region: Alaska Read more