KZMU News

In a deal announced Monday at the state capitol, Navajo Nation Oil and Gas will contract with a Missouri-based alternative energy company to convert vented methane into hydrogen for market. Currently about 80,000 cubic feet of natural gas is flared every day from the Navajo Nation’s oil field south of Bluff. Plus, some people’s dreams of never-ending development in the West are beginning to run up against the reality of water scarcity. In one rapidly-growing Arizona county there’s a dispute over whether there’s enough water to go around.

[photo: A cotton crop in water-stressed Pinal County. Credit KJZZ]

The Salt Lake Tribune, 'Navajos reach deal to turn vented methane in southern Utah into hydrogen' -

https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2019/11/26/navajos-reach-deal-turn/

In a deal announced Monday at the state capitol, Navajo Nation Oil and Gas will contract with a Missouri-based alternative energy company to convert vented methane into hydrogen for market. Currently about 80,000 cubic feet of natural gas is flared every day from the Navajo Nation’s oil field south of Bluff. Plus, some people’s dreams of never-ending development in the West are beginning to run up against the reality of water scarcity. In one rapidly-growing Arizona county there’s a dispute over whether there’s enough water to go around.

[photo: A cotton crop in water-stressed Pinal County. Credit KJZZ]

The Salt Lake Tribune, 'Navajos reach deal to turn vented methane in southern Utah into hydrogen' -

https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2019/11/26/navajos-reach-deal-turn/

After reviewing and incorporating over 330 public comments into a large report, the Utah Division of Water Resources has now affirmed their regional water conservation goals for the state. In Southeastern Utah, they want a 20 percent reduction in municipal and industrial water use by 2030. Plus later in the news, light snow blanketing the region may turn thoughts to nearby ski hills. In Southwest Colorado, a gondola travels between the towns of Telluride and Mountain Village, the first and only free public transportation system of its kind in the U.S. Our partners at KOTO report on what happens if the gondola breaks down. Tune in.

Map of Utah Water Goals:

https://water.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/RWCG-Map-web-1.jpg

Regional Water Conservation Plan:

https://water.utah.gov/goals/

After reviewing and incorporating over 330 public comments into a large report, the Utah Division of Water Resources has now affirmed their regional water conservation goals for the state. In Southeastern Utah, they want a 20 percent reduction in municipal and industrial water use by 2030. Plus later in the news, light snow blanketing the region may turn thoughts to nearby ski hills. In Southwest Colorado, a gondola travels between the towns of Telluride and Mountain Village, the first and only free public transportation system of its kind in the U.S. Our partners at KOTO report on what happens if the gondola breaks down. Tune in.

Map of Utah Water Goals:

https://water.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/RWCG-Map-web-1.jpg

Regional Water Conservation Plan:

https://water.utah.gov/goals/

According to a representative from the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, Utah has seen an increase in suicide and depression within the agricultural community. One reason for this could be the continually declining profitability of farms. Plus, a review of U.S. Interior’s most recent oil and gas leasing data shows that since 2017, more than 60 percent of oil and gas leases were offered in water-stressed areas. Tune in.

Resources for those struggling with suicidal thoughts and depression:

https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Report from the Center for American Progress:

https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/news/2019/11/12/477018/oil-gas-development-creating-problem-arid-west/

Western Water Security Act:

https://www.tomudall.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Water%20bill%20full%20text.pdf

According to a representative from the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, Utah has seen an increase in suicide and depression within the agricultural community. One reason for this could be the continually declining profitability of farms. Plus, a review of U.S. Interior’s most recent oil and gas leasing data shows that since 2017, more than 60 percent of oil and gas leases were offered in water-stressed areas. Tune in.

Resources for those struggling with suicidal thoughts and depression:

https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Report from the Center for American Progress:

https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/news/2019/11/12/477018/oil-gas-development-creating-problem-arid-west/

Western Water Security Act:

https://www.tomudall.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Water%20bill%20full%20text.pdf

*Saturday Extra* On Nov 19th, the San Juan County Commission voted to approve a new plan for development in Spanish Valley. At the urging of many Spanish Valley residents, San Juan’s Commissioners disregarded changes to the plan made by the county’s own planning and zoning members. The latest issue of the Moab Sun News details what happened here. According to editor Maggie McGuire, this is an issue not unfamiliar in the region and state, one where private property rights intersect with planning and community investment.

Moab Sun News, "Spanish Valley development plan sparks conflict" -

http://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_019252de-0cb1-11ea-a8c6-1734c990838e.html

Landmark Design, Spanish Valley Area Plan -

https://www.ldi-ut.com/spanishvalley

*Saturday Extra* On Nov 19th, the San Juan County Commission voted to approve a new plan for development in Spanish Valley. At the urging of many Spanish Valley residents, San Juan’s Commissioners disregarded changes to the plan made by the county’s own planning and zoning members. The latest issue of the Moab Sun News details what happened here. According to editor Maggie McGuire, this is an issue not unfamiliar in the region and state, one where private property rights intersect with planning and community investment.

Moab Sun News, "Spanish Valley development plan sparks conflict" -

http://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_019252de-0cb1-11ea-a8c6-1734c990838e.html

Landmark Design, Spanish Valley Area Plan -

https://www.ldi-ut.com/spanishvalley

KZMU News discusses the latest from The Times-Independent with associate editor Doug McMurdo. This week - Gabriel Woytek is appointed 4-2 to fill the vacant District 1 seat on the Grand County Council. Then, the study committee tasked with updating Grand's form of government does away with districts and slashes council members salaries in their recommendations. And finally, Grand County talks budget and property tax increases. Tune in.

KZMU News discusses the latest from The Times-Independent with associate editor Doug McMurdo. This week - Gabriel Woytek is appointed 4-2 to fill the vacant District 1 seat on the Grand County Council. Then, the study committee tasked with updating Grand's form of government does away with districts and slashes council members salaries in their recommendations. And finally, Grand County talks budget and property tax increases. Tune in.