We recently ran across this insightful article in the Washington Post that details the politics of the lifting of the offshore drilling moratorium--and also explains why our choice for Interior Secretary, Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), didn't stand a chance of being nominated: he thought the Interior Department, not the oil industry, should call the shots on drilling policy.

We weren't all that surprised to learn that Rep. Grijalva's stance was considered too pro-environment. As chair of the Public Lands Subcommittee of the House Natural Resources Committee, Grijalva has strongly championed public land protection. He has consistently rejected the land giveaways and quid pro quo deals that have tempted many members of that committee.

We recently met with Rep. Grijalva in D.C., to talk about the massive threat Big Solar poses to our fragile desert public lands, and the need to change course toward the

He was already there. When the ramp-up in renewable energy began, Rep. Grijalva said, he and his staff had expressed deep concern about the conflicts that would arise with industrial solar development, and they have been avid followers of the progress in urban-focused solar energy technology. We surmise that Mr.Grijalva would be overseeing a very different approach to renewable energy if he were Interior Secretary--an opportunity missed!

P.S. We've had a Facebook page in place for some time. This has made it easy to communicate more frequently with our members and fellow public land lovers. We make regular postings regarding our activities and relevant issues. Take a look.