Jake Bolster

Reintroduced Carnivores’ Impacts on Ecosystems Are Still Coming Into Focus - Inside Climate News Yellowstone has long been a mecca for scientists studying how predators affect everything from elk grazing to vegetation height. They are still debating how to make sense of what they’ve learned.

Can ecosystems that lose large carnivores like wolves, bears, or pumas revert to a pre-extinction state when they are reintroduced? Check out my latest to learn why Yellowstone has become the preeminent place for scientists trying to answer that question. insideclimatenews.org/news/2211202...

When it comes to ecology, and especially trophic cascades, well, it's complicated. Nice piece by my colleague @jakebolster.bsky.social on new work from Chris Wilmers, @taaltree.bsky.social and colleagues on the ecological role of large carnivores and the wisdom of conservation over restoration.

A Growing Number of ‘Repair Cafes’ Are Popping Up Around the World to Curb Consumer Waste - Inside Climate News Local communities are hosting events where people can bring in their broken goods for repairs—free of charge.

A timeline cleanser: My recent newsletter is about rise of "repair cafes" around the world, where communities come together to fix each other's beloved things. The goal: reduce consumer waste, and maybe make some buddies in the process 🔧👭

insideclimatenews.org/news/1111202...

States and Nonprofits Are Helping National Parks Run During the Shutdown. Could Their Efforts Backfire? - Inside Climate News Some worry the Trump administration may use efforts by entities outside the U.S. government to fill operational gaps at national parks to justify further shrinking federal management.

We're in uncharted territory for a shutdown, and so are states and orgs helping national parks. But could offering aid backfire? I spoke with CO Gov. Polis, a former park superintendent, and others about the nuance of offering national parks support under Trump: insideclimatenews.org/news/0711202...

Why Are Rates Rising Faster at Investor-Owned Utilities Than at Public Utilities? - Inside Climate News Case studies from California offer a look into the pros and cons of public and private utilities.

This headline asks a question that makes investor-owned utilities squirm. Nice work from my colleague @blancabegert.bsky.social:
insideclimatenews.org/news/0511202...

NYC Mayor-Elect Mamdani to Face Pressing Climate, Environment Issues - Inside Climate News Zohran Mamdani will need to enforce the city’s building decarbonization law, enact his green school policy and handle the climate change-related issues residents often face—like flooding and extreme h...

NYC mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has vowed to address climate issues, including in his “Green Schools for a Healthier New York City” policy proposal, which would renovate 500 schools across the city.

At @insideclimatenews.org, we're keeping track of environmental lawsuits involving the Trump administration thanks to great work by my colleagues @peteraldhous.com and @mlavelle.bsky.social. Keep this one handy: insideclimatenews.org/news/0411202...

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This technology has tremendous potential in the West. Dan does a deep dive into the hurdles (cow's are bulky and run into things) and benefits (healthier grasses with less water) that a few intrepid scientists and ranchers are navigating. Give it a read!

Western States Brace for a Uranium Boom as the Nation Looks to Recharge its Nuclear Power Industry - Inside Climate News After years of federal efforts to revive nuclear power, old mines are stirring again in Wyoming, Texas and Arizona, while new ones line up for permitting expedited by a Trump executive order.

Nuclear is on the verge of a comeback.

But where will the uranium to power new reactors come from?

@jakebolster.bsky.social, @dylanbaddour.bsky.social and I dive into the resurgence of uranium mining and the impacts it will have on communities.

insideclimatenews.org/news/0211202...

Western States Brace for a Uranium Boom as the Nation Looks to Recharge its Nuclear Power Industry - Inside Climate News After years of federal efforts to revive nuclear power, old mines are stirring again in Wyoming, Texas and Arizona, while new ones line up for permitting expedited by a Trump executive order.

When uranium prices go up, uranium mines spread out. As the U.S. seeks to revive its nuclear energy supply chain, @wyattmyskow.bsky.social, @dylanbaddour.bsky.social, and I dug into what this may mean for Western communities and landscapes home to U.S. uranium. insideclimatenews.org/news/0211202...

At Rallies in Utah and Wyoming, PacifiCorp Customers Urge the Utility to Pursue Renewables - Inside Climate News Residents of both states fear increased pollution and higher bills if the company does not ramp up its investments in wind, solar and batteries.

Utahns and Wyomingites raised concerns Wednesday about PacifiCorp's plan to prolong fossil fuels' use on the Western Grid. A few even did so in costume 🧌👻. See my latest to learn why Westerners are asking for more renewables and fewer fossil fuels.
insideclimatenews.org/news/3110202...

AI Is Pushing Climate Goals Out of Reach, New Reports Say - Inside Climate News Without a big increase in investment in renewable energy globally, humanity will not limit global temperature rise to 2 degrees Celsius, but much of the data center boom is powered by fossil fuels.

Two new reports show how AI may be putting global and U.S. emissions targets out of reach. But some say data centers could “supercharge clean energy.” Learn more in my latest.

insideclimatenews.org/news/2910202...

Wyoming’s Draft Pilot Conservation Program ‘A Good Starting Point’ but There’s Room For Improvement - Inside Climate News State water officials heard public feedback on its proposed water conservation program as Wyoming prepares for the fallout of Colorado River negotiations.

Wyoming gave a preview of a water a pilot conservation program in the Green River basin Wednesday as Colorado River negotiations barrel forward. It's a good start, but work remains, observers said. insideclimatenews.org/news/1710202...

The Sage Grouse Could Face More Development in Its Critical Habitat Under Trump - Inside Climate News In Wyoming, environmentalists took to the sky this month to warn of impending changes to some of the best sage grouse habitat in the world.

The BLM is redoing two management plans, both with implications for sage grouse in Wyoming. Check out our coverage, including some great photos, and an awesome graphic from @paulhornographic.bsky.social.
insideclimatenews.org/news/0410202...

Citing ‘AI Arms Race,’ Trump Administration Announces Efforts to Rekindle US Coal Industry - Inside Climate News The administration is opening millions of additional acres of public land to mining while slashing royalty rates and environmental regulations for coal. Environmentalists warn of skyrocketing costs an...

Citing ‘AI Arms Race,’ Trump Admin Aims to Rekindle US Coal Industry

@jakebolster.bsky.social reports for @insideclimatenews.org

insideclimatenews.org/news/2909202...

Citing ‘AI Arms Race,’ Trump Administration Announces Efforts to Rekindle US Coal Industry - Inside Climate News The administration is opening millions of additional acres of public land to mining while slashing royalty rates and environmental regulations for coal. Environmentalists warn of skyrocketing costs an...

U.S. officials declared yesterday that "America needs coal more than ever" and that coal “is an industry that has been under assault."

Not mentioned: climate change, and how coal is the dirtiest fossil fuel.

From my colleague @jakebolster.bsky.social
insideclimatenews.org/news/2909202...

Citing ‘AI Arms Race,’ Trump Administration Announces Efforts to Rekindle US Coal Industry - Inside Climate News The administration is opening millions of additional acres of public land to mining while slashing royalty rates and environmental regulations for coal. Environmentalists warn of skyrocketing costs an...

My coverage of today's announcements on coal from the Interior Department, EPA, and DOE is below.

As one source put it: "There is no such thing as clean coal."

insideclimatenews.org/news/2909202...

Bureau of Land Management to Sell Off Federal Coal Reserve Leases in Wyoming - Inside Climate News The Trump administration has offered coal reserves in Wyoming in its latest move to reinvigorate the country’s coal industry. One environmental lawyer says it’s “ludicrous” to be selling leases for th...

Bureau of Land Management to Sell Off Federal Coal Reserve Leases in Wyoming

Arcelia Martin and @jakebolster.bsky.social report for @insideclimatenews.org

insideclimatenews.org/news/2509202...

Political Whiplash Is Terrible for Wolves’ Future. But More Is Coming. - Inside Climate News After a judge lamented the “political yo-yo” process embroiling wolf management in the Northern Rockies, no one appears to know how to deescalate the debate.

Wolves are back in the political spotlight, but now, so is the Endangered Species Act:

“Wolves are going to be around in 10 years,” one source told me. “I don’t think the Endangered Species Act is if this keeps up.”

This person isn't alone: insideclimatenews.org/news/2809202...

YouTube video by Inside Climate News Inside Climate Talks: A Tumultuous Moment for Public Lands and All Who Rely on Them

Thrilled to appear alongside @wyattmyskow.bsky.social and Michael Kodas to discuss the status of public lands in the U.S. as part of @insideclimatenews.org's Inside Climate Talk series. Check it out here, and see the other videos on our YouTube page: www.youtube.com/watch?v=f60j...

Charlie Kirk, Redeemed: A Political Class Finds Its Lost Cause By ignoring the rhetoric and actions of the Turning Point USA founder, pundits and politicians are sanitizing his legacy.

Ta-Nehisi Coates on Charlie Kirk and the pundits and politicians sanitizing his legacy.

A chilling story. @highcountrynews.org and @thefern.org with some excellent reporting.

Dozens of Scientists Call DOE Climate Report ‘Fundamentally Incorrect’ - Inside Climate News The review comes as the Trump administration is leaning on the report as part of its justification to end EPA regulation of greenhouse gases.

Dozens of Scientists Call DOE #Climate Report ‘Fundamentally Incorrect’

@jakebolster.bsky.social reports for @insideclimatenews.org

insideclimatenews.org/news/0209202...

A Geothermal Network in Colorado Could Help A Rural Town Diversify Its Economy - Inside Climate News Hayden, a long-established coal community, is pitching companies to come take advantage of “reliable, cost-effective heating and cooling” at its light industrial park once its new geothermal network i...

“Geothermal works at night, it works in the day, it works whenever you want it to work,” officials in a rural Colorado town embrace geothermal heating and cooling for a new business park. insideclimatenews.org/news/2008202... My latest, with ICN Mountain West reporter @jakebolster.bsky.social

Another example of an energy community hoping renewables will help them diversify their economy. Town officials are buzzing about providing businesses with “reliable, cost-effective heating and cooling.” Always fun to collaborate, and glad to get to work with @mckennapr.bsky.social on this one.

Tribal Solar Projects Meet Different Fates In Wyoming After Trump Administration Kills Funding - Inside Climate News The Eastern Shoshone are moving ahead with a solar-powered micro-grid, but the Northern Arapaho rooftop PV program stalled after the EPA clawed back Solar for All funding.

Two tribal solar projects in Wyoming have met different fates after the EPA pulled the plug on Solar for All. Members of the Northern Arapaho are calling the decision “a huge loss” after they expected to receive $10 million under the program. insideclimatenews.org/news/1608202...

Can Colorado Recycle Toxic Water from Oil and Gas Drilling Without Increasing Emissions? - Inside Climate News Environmentalists fear the answer is “no,” as regulators determine how to permit more produced water recycling facilities in disadvantaged communities.

More @insideclimatenews.org coverage of Colorado's effort to reduce oil and gas fresh water use. Can the state increase decouple wastewater recycling from oil and gas emissions?

"It's kind of a lose-lose situation," an @earthworks.bsky.social activist told me.
insideclimatenews.org/news/1308202...

Federal energy assistance funding uncertainty worries Wyoming advocates - WyoFile Rising electric rates spiked interest in rooftop solar and other home energy efficiencies — even with the state's strong fossil fuel culture. But federal cuts may put some of those options out of reac...

Federal policies stymieing wind and solar energy are locking people out of money-saving technology in Wyoming, @dbleizeffer.bsky.social reports: wyofile.com/federal-ener...

Lawmakers table bill to allow nuclear waste storage in Wyoming - WyoFile A legislative panel heard hours of public comment that mostly cautioned against prematurely changing state law to accommodate nuclear microreactor manufacturers.

Wyoming lawmakers are moving too quickly on a high-stakes effort to store spent nuclear fuel waste from microreactor manufacturers, according to many who spoke at a hearing in Casper. The Minerals Committee opted to table a draft bill for now. - @WyoFile wyofile.com/lawmakers-ta...