Wyoming House passes bill favoring methane drillers By Associated Press. Critics say this bill greatly inhibits public comments, including that of adjacent landowners.

'Squaw' remains in Idaho. Panhandle lawmakers help kill review of derogatory names. Betsy Z. Russell Spokane Spokesman-Review. In recent years, the Idaho Panhandle has gained a reputation as a haven for racists. 

Despite the continuing racism, The Nez Perce tribe brings wolves back to the Idaho wilderness -- and reinvents its political future. Feature article High Country News. By Michelle Nijhuis

Writers on the Range. Does Bush understand the American West? By Russell Sadler

Wyoming State Senate kills bill to lease state land for residential developments. Billings Gazette. This page has had 2 major alerts on this. Thankfully it is dead.

Energy crisis has many regretting Montana's early leap into deregulation By Mike Dennison. Great Falls Tribune Capitol Bureau. 
Electricity Deregulation a disaster for the West. By Max Jarman. Gannett News Service

Air of accusation in the Flathead By Michael Jameson. Missoulian. "Talk show host's targeting of 'green Nazis,' businesses turns into full-fledged war of words." 

Air Pollution dims vistas in Western national Parks. by John Rosapepe. High Country News. Writers on the Range. The good news is new pollution rules will slowly clean up the mess. The bad news is the Bush Administration may block the implementation of the new rules.

Idaho Power electricity bills to raise by 25 to 45% this spring. Idaho Statesman.

From 2-19. Alert. Wyoming Legislature Considering a bill to allow residential development of Wyoming state lands. Alert from the Wyoming Outdoor Council. This bill would allow residential development--thousands of houses deep inside Grand Teton National Park and deep in the national forests of NW Wyoming on scattered sections of state lands. I doubt the Yellowstone Country has ever seen such a threat. This is under the guise of "affordable housing." The vote in the Wyoming State Senate may come as early as Tuesday, Feb. 20.

Deer, humans battle for space as Idaho's population grows By Melanie Carroll. Idaho Statesman.

Asbestos exposure in Libby worse than expectations By Michale Jameson. The Missoulian. Montana has always been abused by the corporations. One would think the dead and dying in Libby would affect the state4s politicians.

Nevada rancher dodges jail sentence in high-profile Forest Service case By Scott Sonner. Las Vegas Sun. Seems like there are two standards of justice in the country -- prison for the least offense by most of us and a slap on the wrist and legal counsel all the way the Supreme Court for public land abusers.
No Charges for Defiant Ranchers. By Brent Israelsen. The Salt Lake Tribune. Here is the double standard of justice again. Anyone else who did this would spend most of the rest of their life in federal prison.

U Build It, We Burn It by Mary Sojourner. Writers on the Range. Sojourner writes that because the West is held in thrall by developers, it's not surprising someone decided to start some fires.

Montana Legislature approve MEPA bills By Erin P. Billings. Billings Gazette.  The legislature has passed its measure to dramatically weak Montana environmental laws.

The Sawtooth Society, the Guardian angel of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. Idaho Mountain Express.

In the dark about cows and taboos. Commentary by Dick Dorworth. Idaho Mountain Express. This is a good opinion piece about propaganda from the cattle industry.

Timber industry optimistic about Bush. ENN

Montana state senate decides to protect state Constitution. By Erin P. Billings. Billings Gazette State Bureau

Schweitzer rips Judy Martz and Montana Republicans on Montana electricity deregulation disaster. Billings Gazette. Idaho's equally Republican state government said no, hell no! to the deregulation scam.

Global warming worse than expected. Greenhouse gases are taking their toll and will dramatically alter the Earth's ecology during this century, scientists say. Oregonian

Aboard a Yellowstone Snowmobile: An Assault of Smoke and Sound. By Brent Israelsen. Salt Lake Tribune. Reporter travels to Yellowstone on President's Day to see what all the commotion is about.

Coalbed methane both boom and bust to Wyoming landowners. By Jan Falstad Of The Billings Gazette Staff. Despite all the talk about the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, the real difference will be made by energy sources like coal bed methane (natural gas). This article explores the issue.

2-20-01. Coalbed methane’s potential no longer ‘crazy’ idea By Jan Falstad.
2-21-01. Tracking the boom: Federal, state agencies strive for responsible development By Clair Johnson
2-22-2001. Rising concern: Effects of drilling little known ranchers, outdoor groups say By Clair Johnson.
2-23-2001. Boom time economics: Gillette sits at ground zero in the coalbed methane boom By Jeff Toffefston.

Mining legend ends as Idaho's Sunshine Mine goes dark. Spokane- Spokesman-Review.

Wolf reintroduction comes closer in Colorado.  By Theo Stein Denver Post Environment Writer

Snowmobilers head for park for President's Day. By Jeff Tollefson Billings Gazette Wyoming Bureau