Power struggles

Over the last two decades, climate change-induced drought and increasing water demand have depleted Lake Powell substantially: It is now less than one-fourth full. As water levels drop, so, too, does the potential energy of the falling water. That, in turn, lowers the turbines’ generating capacity and power output. In the 1990s, the dam produced as much as 7,000 gigawatt hours per year, enough to power nearly 600,000 homes. Last year, it was down to just 3,000 gigawatt hours. This chronic decline in generating capacity is about to become more acute.

A super-charged housing market has pushed a wave of people to live on Western public lands. It’s different than the economic downturn 14 years ago. This time, it’s not just those losing their jobs, but instead includes many gainfully employed people who simply can’t find an affordable place to live.

As historic levels of drought persist across the Mountain West, water officials in Northern Nevada are warning that peak fire conditions might appear sooner this year than in the past—and at least one rural reservoir is so dry it can’t provide water for irrigation.

The Biden administration has launched a $1 billion program to advance its goal of conserving 30% of the nation’s lands and waters by 2030. The program, called the America the Beautiful Challenge, will serve as a “one-stop shop” for states, tribes, territories, non-governmental organizations and others to apply for numerous grants for conservation and restoration projects, the administration said. It is backed by an initial $440 million in federal funds over five years — the bulk of which comes from the bipartisan infrastructure law that Congress passed last year — and aims to draw private and philanthropic contributions to reach the $1 billion mark.

NextEra President Rebecca Kujawa believes wind farms are being unfairly targeted. Some, including conservation groups and other wind developers, disagree.