Jake Bolster
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jakebolster.bsky.social
Jake Bolster
@jakebolster.bsky.social
Wyoming and Western reporter for Inside Climate News.
jake.bolster@insideclimatenews.org, signal: @jbolster.97
Pinned
The tribes don’t control the largest river on their land. They fear a Republican trifecta in D.C. will give white farmers who do control the river even more power. As climate change threatens the region’s ecosystem, the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho are fighting back.
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...
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.
insideclimatenews.org
November 7, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Reposted by Jake Bolster
This headline asks a question that makes investor-owned utilities squirm. Nice work from my colleague @blancabegert.bsky.social:
insideclimatenews.org/news/0511202...
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.
insideclimatenews.org
November 5, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Reposted by Jake Bolster
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.
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...
insideclimatenews.org
November 5, 2025 at 9:19 PM
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...
November 5, 2025 at 6:50 PM
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!
November 3, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Reposted by Jake Bolster
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.
insideclimatenews.org
November 3, 2025 at 4:05 PM
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...
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.
insideclimatenews.org
November 3, 2025 at 3:32 PM
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...
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.
insideclimatenews.org
October 31, 2025 at 6:41 PM
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...
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.
insideclimatenews.org
October 30, 2025 at 1:22 PM
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...
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.
insideclimatenews.org
October 17, 2025 at 6:38 PM
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...
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.
insideclimatenews.org
October 4, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Reposted by Jake Bolster
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...
insideclimatenews.org
September 30, 2025 at 3:39 PM
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...
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...
insideclimatenews.org
September 29, 2025 at 11:15 PM
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...
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.
insideclimatenews.org
September 28, 2025 at 5:51 PM
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...
Inside Climate Talks: A Tumultuous Moment for Public Lands and All Who Rely on Them
YouTube video by Inside Climate News
www.youtube.com
September 25, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Reposted by Jake Bolster
Ta-Nehisi Coates on Charlie Kirk and the pundits and politicians sanitizing his legacy.
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.
www.vanityfair.com
September 16, 2025 at 5:35 PM
A chilling story. @highcountrynews.org and @thefern.org with some excellent reporting.
How post-9/11 policy and immigration enforcement reshaped meatpacking - and the West. This @highcountrynews.org & @thefern.org investigation digs into how meatpacking's increasing reliance on refugee labor created an escalating crisis for the industry - and the small towns where plants are based.
How an immigration raid reshaped meatpacking — and America  - High Country News
In 2006, large-scale ICE raids in Greeley, Colorado, and elsewhere, triggered massive changes to the meatpacking workplace that continue reshaping the center of the country.
www.hcn.org
September 17, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Reposted by Jake Bolster
“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
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...
insideclimatenews.org
August 20, 2025 at 6:16 PM
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.
August 20, 2025 at 6:19 PM
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...
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.
insideclimatenews.org
August 16, 2025 at 5:59 PM
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...
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.
insideclimatenews.org
August 13, 2025 at 10:00 PM
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...
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...
wyofile.com
August 8, 2025 at 1:59 PM