House Dems Push For More Taxes On Oil Companies

Newly empowered House Democrats are optimistic they can push through an energy package of $15 billion in fees, taxes and royalties on oil and gas companies to promote renewable fuels. The House was scheduled to take up the legislation Thursday as part of Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s string of high-priority issues she has vowed to address in the first 100 hours of Democratic control of Congress. She... 

19th century mining law, budget crunch hit home

When congressional staffers take a tour of Arches National Park, their agenda always includes a nondescript piece of desert over by Balanced Rock. “They all want to see where Ed Abbey lived,” said park Superintendent Laura Joss, standing beside her government-issue Chevy Malibu. Pointing out Abbey’s old trailer site framed pastorally beneath the La Sal Mountains and the Windows, she...