Analysis shows that proposed federal royalty reforms will increase the cost of delivering natural gas to domestic power plants by a greater amount than coal.
Archives for 2015
Newsletter: December 2015
Our latest research on the Three Wests, the impacts of federal royalty rate reforms on coal and natural gas, home construction in Montana, and our newest staffer: Janet Clark.
Know Your Economy: Economic Tools Updated for Every County
Understanding the local economy, and how it compares to peers, is a crucial part of smart community and economic development. Several new tools, utilizing the latest data (through 2014), now are available for every county in the nation.
LWCF Rewards Republican Congressional Districts
Many Congressional Districts benefit from LWCF, and Republican Districts have seen disproportionate LWCF investment for federal land acquisition.
One Click: Socioeconomic Reports for Every County
Understanding what drives the local economy is crucial to smart community and economic development. This map provides detailed socioeconomic reports for every county.
Urban Areas Drive Economic Growth in the West
Despite being known for its rural landscapes, the West is surprisingly urban.
The West Today: What Sectors Drive the Economy?
In the West today, what economic sectors are driving the economy and make up the growing workforce?
Three Wests: Access to Markets Affects Performance
There are three distinct types of counties in the West—Metro, Connected, and Isolated—defined by their access to major markets and population centers.
Newsletter: September 2015
Our latest research on the benefits of LWCF, home construction in the High Divide region, commercial activities on National Forests, and our newest staffer: Kimiko Barrett.
Home Construction in the High Divide
The High Divide region, recognized as one of the most intact biological areas in the lower 48 states, is attracting many new residents and home construction is changing the landscape.
Coal Royalty Reform: Impact on Prices, Production, and State Revenue
The proposed federal coal royalty reform rule could have substantial revenue benefits for federal and state governments, limited impact on coal production or prices on federal lands, and increased transparency.
Land and Water Conservation Fund, 2011-2014
A graphical and data analysis of LWCF program benefits for every state.
Wildfire Increasingly an Urban Issue
Wildfires increasingly are threatening urban areas—often repeatedly—putting more homes, lives, infrastructure, and other resources at risk.
Newsletter: June 2015
Our latest research on the updated EPS, economic impacts of National Park Service units, better planning to reduce wildfire risk, the latest county payments and projections, and the new website.
Newsletter: May 2015
Our latest research on federal coal royalty reform, reducing wildfire threats, trail user surveys, and Bonner County, Idaho’s resilient economy.
Reducing Wildfire Risk to Communities: Nine Solutions
This report outlines a number of solutions to alter the pace, scale, and pattern of future development in the Wildland-Urban Interface.
Bonner County, Idaho’s Resilient Economy
Analysis shows that Bonner County’s economy has grown steadily and been resilient, despite recessions and losing several large employers, and many local businesses are committed to the community and its high quality of life.
Better Planning to Reduce Wildfire Risk: A Summit County Case Study and Lessons for Other Communities
Wildfires pose a growing threat to many communities. As more development occurs near wildfire-prone lands, there is a growing need to reduce risk through improved land use policies and tools.
Teton County Trails & Pathways Survey Shows Extensive Local Use
Survey shows that nine out of 10 respondents use the pathways and trails in Teton County, Wyoming. Such surveys help community leaders, stakeholders, and citizens plan for the future of pathways and trails systems.
Newsletter: April 2015
Our latest research on trails, the economic value of public lands in Grand County, Utah, economic development opportunities in Wheeler County, Oregon, and climate impacts in the Great Lakes region.