Author name: Greg Walcher

Walcher: Who decides what’s a public road?

Approved, Commentary, Greg Walcher, National / / ,

Several years ago, Utah filed a suit insisting that the federal government turn over to the state 12,000 roads that cross federal lands within Utah. Few officials noticed, as disputes over who controls public roads on federal lands are nothing new. But the federal judge hearing this case just sent shock waves through Washington with an 80-page ruling containing an analysis worthy of the highest court, refusing to dismiss the case, and excoriating the government for trying to thwart the clear intent of the law.

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Walcher: A new national sacrifice zone in effort to move beyond oil & gas?

Approved, Commentary, National, Rocky Mountain Voice / / ,

A couple years ago a little-noticed report called, “Beyond Carbon-Free: A Framework for Purpose-Led Renewable Energy Procurement and Development” was published by an energy company in Seattle, together with the Nature Conservancy and the National Audubon Society.

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Walcher: Making computers out of… wind?

Approved, Commentary, Greg Walcher, State / / ,

I just attended a reception with Colorado oil and gas employees, and the conversation was eye opening. I expected to hear about how difficult life in America would be without fossil fuels. There was some of that, but not in the way I expected. Many of the conversations were not about how badly we need gasoline for our cars or electricity for our homes and businesses.

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Walcher: Is the goal cleaner air, or something else?

Approved, Commentary, Greg Walcher / / ,

Governments are often behind the curve in recognizing the latest technology. Innovation invariably moves faster than the intentionally slow processes of government. We saw that with the Biden Administration’s methane regulations, and we are seeing it again with its recent move to halt upcoming liquefied natural gas (LNG) export permits. The LNG export moratorium has sparked intense debates around the country, on both sides of the aisle, and will have repercussions for years.

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Walcher: We can govern ourselves, something our current regulators apparently no longer believe

Commentary, Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice / / ,

There is a famous story about Nobel Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman walking down the street with a friend. The friend stopped and said, “Hey, there is a $20 bill on the sidewalk.” The economist turned to him and replied, “There can’t be. If there were a $20 bill on the sidewalk, somebody would have picked it up.”

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