Reversing Biden-era ruling, feds reopen Ruby Mountains to oil, gas and geothermal leasing

[Michael Cole]

Reversing Biden-era ruling, feds reopen Ruby Mountains to oil, gas and geothermal leasing

The U.S. Forest Service said the decision to allow oil and gas leasing to continue in the Ruby Mountains was due to a presidential executive order.

www.usatoday.com

Federal land managers have canceled their proposal to withdraw about 264,000 acres of public land in Nevada’s Ruby Mountain from oil, gas and geothermal development.

The U.S. Forest Service said the decision to allow oil and gas leasing to continue in Elko County’s Ruby Mountains was brought on by a presidential executive order titled “Unleashing American Energy,” and calling on federal land managers to remove regulatory barriers to energy production and expand access to federal lands and waters for energy exploration.

...In response, Nevada Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto has pushed several versions of a bill that would withdraw about 450,000 acres of land adjacent to the Ruby Mountain from oil and gas leasing, but not mining.

...Sometimes called “Nevada’s Swiss Alps” the Ruby Mountains in Elko County are the ancestral homelands of the Te-Moak Tribe of the Western Shoshone Indians of Nevada. The Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge also includes a wetland oasis for migratory waterfowl in the Pacific Flyway and fisheries that include trout and largemouth bass, attracting hunters, anglers, birdwatchers and other recreational tourists.

I recommend reading the entire article - Trump may be coming for a wildland near you - but as to the above points:

Biden moved to block oil and gas exploration from the Ruby Mountains in December. To that extent, Trump is removing everything Biden. Trump has previously sought oil and gas in the Rubies, but as reality will show, these resources don't exist in the Ruby Mountains. I don't think there are mineral deposits, either. Cortez-Masto is a big supporter of Nevada mining, so I see politics in her statement

Anyone that has been to the Rubies would surely agree the mountains are something to preserve. Lamoille Canyon and the high lakes and peaks are protected wilderness, about 90,000 acres, but the majority of the mountain range does not enjoy such protection.

The Ruby Mountains, in particular, Lamoille Canyon, sit just southeast of Elko/Spring Creek which survive on the mining industry. The Elko planning commission recently voted down a ski resort proposed for the Rubies. Elko does well off of tourism as it is. If locals don't want skiers with dollars, they're not going to want the Rubies to drilled and mined.

The drive up Lamoille Canyon is breathtaking. Not as majestic as Yosemite, but breathtakingly rugged and untouched. The bonus is that crowds are small. Yosemite-like vistas without all the people. Highly recommended if ever in the area.

If there were anything of value to be extracted from the Ruby Mountains, it would have already been done. This is bluster from Trump, in my view. If he wants to make himself useful, he can tell his GOP Congress to pass Jacky Rosen's and Mark Amodei's land bills. We need housing, not mines, and there is no oil or gas in the Ruby Mountains.

 

[StillBallin75]

The right has an unhealthy obsession with fossil fuels that for some reason is inextricably tied into their idiotic notions of masculinity.

 

[Michael Cole]

The right has an unhealthy obsession with fossil fuels that for some reason is inextricably tied into their idiotic notions of masculinity.

It does seem that way sometimes. Trump isn't the first to politicize energy, but he has taken it to an insane level. There's irony in his top donor, who is an anti- fossil fuel advocate and business owner. There's more irony in the lithium mine under construction not far from the Ruby Mountains. Lithium is key to modern energy. Trump is conspicuously silent about it. Musk buys lithium. Lots and lots of Chinese lithium. Musk didn't invest in the mine. GM did. Looks like Musk will be paying GM for lithium a couple years from now when the mine begins production.

Anyway, mining may be the lifeblood of the Elko, Nevada area (gold), but they love their Ruby Mountains as they are. The Ruby Lake area is a National Wildlife Refuge (protected) renowned for bass. Lamoille Canyon is open to vehicles, but the Wilderness Area begins at road's end.

Well done drone footage:



Trump isn't going to change any of it. I feel safe in knowing the extent of commercialization of the Ruby Mountains is limited to fishing shops, camping equipment, hotel rooms and restaurant visits. There's no oil or gas. Trump's just doing the old switcheroo on Biden.

 

[Lursa]

Reversing Biden-era ruling, feds reopen Ruby Mountains to oil, gas and geothermal leasing

The U.S. Forest Service said the decision to allow oil and gas leasing to continue in the Ruby Mountains was due to a presidential executive order.

www.usatoday.com

Federal land managers have canceled their proposal to withdraw about 264,000 acres of public land in Nevada’s Ruby Mountain from oil, gas and geothermal development.

The U.S. Forest Service said the decision to allow oil and gas leasing to continue in Elko County’s Ruby Mountains was brought on by a presidential executive order titled “Unleashing American Energy,” and calling on federal land managers to remove regulatory barriers to energy production and expand access to federal lands and waters for energy exploration.

...In response, Nevada Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto has pushed several versions of a bill that would withdraw about 450,000 acres of land adjacent to the Ruby Mountain from oil and gas leasing, but not mining.

...Sometimes called “Nevada’s Swiss Alps” the Ruby Mountains in Elko County are the ancestral homelands of the Te-Moak Tribe of the Western Shoshone Indians of Nevada. The Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge also includes a wetland oasis for migratory waterfowl in the Pacific Flyway and fisheries that include trout and largemouth bass, attracting hunters, anglers, birdwatchers and other recreational tourists.

I recommend reading the entire article - Trump may be coming for a wildland near you - but as to the above points:

Biden moved to block oil and gas exploration from the Ruby Mountains in December. To that extent, Trump is removing everything Biden. Trump has previously sought oil and gas in the Rubies, but as reality will show, these resources don't exist in the Ruby Mountains. I don't think there are mineral deposits, either. Cortez-Masto is a big supporter of Nevada mining, so I see politics in her statement

Anyone that has been to the Rubies would surely agree the mountains are something to preserve. Lamoille Canyon and the high lakes and peaks are protected wilderness, about 90,000 acres, but the majority of the mountain range does not enjoy such protection.

The Ruby Mountains, in particular, Lamoille Canyon, sit just southeast of Elko/Spring Creek which survive on the mining industry. The Elko planning commission recently voted down a ski resort proposed for the Rubies. Elko does well off of tourism as it is. If locals don't want skiers with dollars, they're not going to want the Rubies to drilled and mined.

The drive up Lamoille Canyon is breathtaking. Not as majestic as Yosemite, but breathtakingly rugged and untouched. The bonus is that crowds are small. Yosemite-like vistas without all the people. Highly recommended if ever in the area.

If there were anything of value to be extracted from the Ruby Mountains, it would have already been done. This is bluster from Trump, in my view. If he wants to make himself useful, he can tell his GOP Congress to pass Jacky Rosen's and Mark Amodei's land bills. We need housing, not mines, and there is no oil or gas in the Ruby Mountains.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. A shitload of irreparable damage is going to be done. No lands are protected from this.

 

[Fani R. West]

Reversing Biden-era ruling, feds reopen Ruby Mountains to oil, gas and geothermal leasing

The U.S. Forest Service said the decision to allow oil and gas leasing to continue in the Ruby Mountains was due to a presidential executive order.

www.usatoday.com

Federal land managers have canceled their proposal to withdraw about 264,000 acres of public land in Nevada’s Ruby Mountain from oil, gas and geothermal development.

The U.S. Forest Service said the decision to allow oil and gas leasing to continue in Elko County’s Ruby Mountains was brought on by a presidential executive order titled “Unleashing American Energy,” and calling on federal land managers to remove regulatory barriers to energy production and expand access to federal lands and waters for energy exploration.

...In response, Nevada Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto has pushed several versions of a bill that would withdraw about 450,000 acres of land adjacent to the Ruby Mountain from oil and gas leasing, but not mining.

...Sometimes called “Nevada’s Swiss Alps” the Ruby Mountains in Elko County are the ancestral homelands of the Te-Moak Tribe of the Western Shoshone Indians of Nevada. The Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge also includes a wetland oasis for migratory waterfowl in the Pacific Flyway and fisheries that include trout and largemouth bass, attracting hunters, anglers, birdwatchers and other recreational tourists.

I recommend reading the entire article - Trump may be coming for a wildland near you - but as to the above points:

Biden moved to block oil and gas exploration from the Ruby Mountains in December. To that extent, Trump is removing everything Biden. Trump has previously sought oil and gas in the Rubies, but as reality will show, these resources don't exist in the Ruby Mountains. I don't think there are mineral deposits, either. Cortez-Masto is a big supporter of Nevada mining, so I see politics in her statement

Anyone that has been to the Rubies would surely agree the mountains are something to preserve. Lamoille Canyon and the high lakes and peaks are protected wilderness, about 90,000 acres, but the majority of the mountain range does not enjoy such protection.

The Ruby Mountains, in particular, Lamoille Canyon, sit just southeast of Elko/Spring Creek which survive on the mining industry. The Elko planning commission recently voted down a ski resort proposed for the Rubies. Elko does well off of tourism as it is. If locals don't want skiers with dollars, they're not going to want the Rubies to drilled and mined.

The drive up Lamoille Canyon is breathtaking. Not as majestic as Yosemite, but breathtakingly rugged and untouched. The bonus is that crowds are small. Yosemite-like vistas without all the people. Highly recommended if ever in the area.

If there were anything of value to be extracted from the Ruby Mountains, it would have already been done. This is bluster from Trump, in my view. If he wants to make himself useful, he can tell his GOP Congress to pass Jacky Rosen's and Mark Amodei's land bills. We need housing, not mines, and there is no oil or gas in the Ruby Mountains.

---

It always amazes me how politicians can declare war on reality with a straight face.

The Ruby Mountains — a.k.a. "Nevada’s Swiss Alps" — aren’t hiding some secret Saudi-scale oil field. If anything, they're hiding serenity, biodiversity, and what little untouched wilderness we have left in the American West.

Trump’s move here isn’t about energy — it’s about erasing Biden’s signature from the federal registry, one executive order at a time. It’s political theatrics dressed up as policy, and the stage is yet another fragile ecosystem.

If the locals, the tribes, the wildlife agencies, and even economic sense are all saying “leave it be,” then maybe — just maybe — we should listen. Drilling the Rubies makes about as much sense as building a gas station in the Louvre. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.

If we really want to "unleash American energy," how about investing in geothermal and solar in places that aren’t sacred homelands or pristine wilderness? You know, modern ideas for a modern era.

Meanwhile, I second your advice — go visit Lamoille Canyon while you still can. Bring your hiking boots, not your drilling rig.

 

[Fani R. West]

The right has an unhealthy obsession with fossil fuels that for some reason is inextricably tied into their idiotic notions of masculinity.

There’s definitely a cultural thing here — for some reason, drilling for oil has become a symbol of toughness in some circles, even when it makes zero environmental or economic sense.

But honestly, real strength might just be learning how to preserve beauty, not conquer it. That takes actual guts.

 

[Fani R. West]

It does seem that way sometimes. Trump isn't the first to politicize energy, but he has taken it to an insane level. There's irony in his top donor, who is an anti- fossil fuel advocate and business owner. There's more irony in the lithium mine under construction not far from the Ruby Mountains. Lithium is key to modern energy. Trump is conspicuously silent about it. Musk buys lithium. Lots and lots of Chinese lithium. Musk didn't invest in the mine. GM did. Looks like Musk will be paying GM for lithium a couple years from now when the mine begins production.

Anyway, mining may be the lifeblood of the Elko, Nevada area (gold), but they love their Ruby Mountains as they are. The Ruby Lake area is a National Wildlife Refuge (protected) renowned for bass. Lamoille Canyon is open to vehicles, but the Wilderness Area begins at road's end.

Well done drone footage:



Trump isn't going to change any of it. I feel safe in knowing the extent of commercialization of the Ruby Mountains is limited to fishing shops, camping equipment, hotel rooms and restaurant visits. There's no oil or gas. Trump's just doing the old switcheroo on Biden.

I appreciate your balanced take — and you’re absolutely right, there’s a deep irony in how energy policy gets politicized depending on who’s in office and who’s funding them.

What worries me isn’t just the lack of fossil fuels in the Ruby Mountains (which makes all this posturing even more ridiculous), but the dangerous precedent of using executive orders and public lands as political ping-pong balls. One administration protects, the next exploits — even when there’s nothing there to exploit.

And yeah, the lithium angle is another layer of complexity. It highlights that "green" energy isn't automatically clean if it's driven by the same extractive mindset. The Ruby Mountains may be safe for now, but as we've seen in other regions, the risk isn't just outright drilling — it’s death by a thousand cuts: access roads, "limited leases," overlooked tribal claims, or sudden land reclassifications.

Hopefully, public love for places like the Rubies will keep the pressure on. But we shouldn’t get too comfortable — because these kinds of battles often start quietly before they become headlines.

 

[Fani R. West]

This is just the tip of the iceberg. A shitload of irreparable damage is going to be done. No lands are protected from this.

Absolutely — and the most alarming part is how quickly protections can be reversed with the stroke of a pen. Public lands that took decades to preserve can be unraveled in months, all for short-term political wins or donor appeasement.

It’s not just the Ruby Mountains — we’re seeing a systematic erosion of environmental safeguards across the board. What used to be bipartisan respect for natural heritage is now treated as disposable in a culture war.

The scariest thing isn’t just the destruction — it’s how normalized it’s becoming. Unless public outrage grows louder and more consistent, this iceberg won’t just tip — it’ll sink the whole ship of responsible land stewardship.

---

 

[Michael Cole]

---

It always amazes me how politicians can declare war on reality with a straight face.

It's easy to do when Americans turn to social media for reality.

The Ruby Mountains — a.k.a. "Nevada’s Swiss Alps" — aren’t hiding some secret Saudi-scale oil field. If anything, they're hiding serenity, biodiversity, and what little untouched wilderness we have left in the American West.

Indeed. If there were reserves, we'd know about them. We would have extracted them long ago, before the Ruby Mountains became a protected wilderness area. Even today, most of the range doesn't enjoy such protection, and if there were known reserves of anything, we could have that discussion.

Lots of bigmouth bass. Not so much oil. The irony is that the Elko area survives and is built around gold mining. It's not the people's first rodeo. These people are quite familiar with mining.

Trump’s move here isn’t about energy — it’s about erasing Biden’s signature from the federal registry, one executive order at a time. It’s political theatrics dressed up as policy, and the stage is yet another fragile ecosystem.

That's exactly what it is. It's the temper tantrum of a child.

If the locals, the tribes, the wildlife agencies, and even economic sense are all saying “leave it be,” then maybe — just maybe — we should listen. Drilling the Rubies makes about as much sense as building a gas station in the Louvre. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.

Yes, this is the kicker. The people of Elko/Spring Creek aren't asking anyone for help. They know how to run their businesses. The mining suppliers aren't hurting. Neither are the outdoors shops. If Trump wants to help Nevada, he can pass Jacky Rosen's land bill so we can build much needed housing in Washoe County.

If we really want to "unleash American energy," how about investing in geothermal and solar in places that aren’t sacred homelands or pristine wilderness? You know, modern ideas for a modern era.

NV Energy is shutting down a coal plant and replacing it with natural gas. This is to comply with state law. Not carbon free, but a step in the right direction.

Trump has no plan. Individual states will continue to regulate energy independently. Trump never heard of Yosemite, so I'm pretty sure he's never been outside. Anywhere.

Meanwhile, I second your advice — go visit Lamoille Canyon while you still can. Bring your hiking boots, not your drilling rig.

Indeed. To be in my 30s again. My last visit was about four years ago. I did okay, but at 67 now...to be in my 30s again.

Yes, stunning and unique. I do have to go back. Before my health gets worse.

 

[Michael Cole]

I appreciate your balanced take — and you’re absolutely right, there’s a deep irony in how energy policy gets politicized depending on who’s in office and who’s funding them.

What worries me isn’t just the lack of fossil fuels in the Ruby Mountains (which makes all this posturing even more ridiculous), but the dangerous precedent of using executive orders and public lands as political ping-pong balls. One administration protects, the next exploits — even when there’s nothing there to exploit.

And yeah, the lithium angle is another layer of complexity. It highlights that "green" energy isn't automatically clean if it's driven by the same extractive mindset. The Ruby Mountains may be safe for now, but as we've seen in other regions, the risk isn't just outright drilling — it’s death by a thousand cuts: access roads, "limited leases," overlooked tribal claims, or sudden land reclassifications.

Hopefully, public love for places like the Rubies will keep the pressure on. But we shouldn’t get too comfortable — because these kinds of battles often start quietly before they become headlines.

I'm not too worried, but yes, keeping my eyes open. Nothing would surprise me anymore. The only economic interest in the Rubies is from tourism and local outdoors enthusiasts. No company is interested in exploration.

If Trump wants to help, he'll leave Elko alone and focus his attention west to Winnemucca. The small town is dealing with growth from the Thacker Pass lithium mine. But like you said, this is all about erasing Biden's name from the books.

 

[gman]

Absolutely — and the most alarming part is how quickly protections can be reversed with the stroke of a pen. Public lands that took decades to preserve can be unraveled in months, all for short-term political wins or donor appeasement.

It’s not just the Ruby Mountains — we’re seeing a systematic erosion of environmental safeguards across the board. What used to be bipartisan respect for natural heritage is now treated as disposable in a culture war.

The scariest thing isn’t just the destruction — it’s how normalized it’s becoming. Unless public outrage grows louder and more consistent, this iceberg won’t just tip — it’ll sink the whole ship of responsible land stewardship.

---

Well said. Anyone who’s been to our national parks should be alarmed at how the steal has attempted to be normalized.

 

[Mr Person]

The right has an unhealthy obsession with fossil fuels that for some reason is inextricably tied into their idiotic notions of masculinity.

Coal Rolling.

 

[RF667799]

It does seem that way sometimes. Trump isn't the first to politicize energy, but he has taken it to an insane level. There's irony in his top donor, who is an anti- fossil fuel advocate and business owner. There's more irony in the lithium mine under construction not far from the Ruby Mountains. Lithium is key to modern energy. Trump is conspicuously silent about it. Musk buys lithium. Lots and lots of Chinese lithium. Musk didn't invest in the mine. GM did. Looks like Musk will be paying GM for lithium a couple years from now when the mine begins production.

Anyway, mining may be the lifeblood of the Elko, Nevada area (gold), but they love their Ruby Mountains as they are. The Ruby Lake area is a National Wildlife Refuge (protected) renowned for bass. Lamoille Canyon is open to vehicles, but the Wilderness Area begins at road's end.

Well done drone footage:



Trump isn't going to change any of it. I feel safe in knowing the extent of commercialization of the Ruby Mountains is limited to fishing shops, camping equipment, hotel rooms and restaurant visits. There's no oil or gas. Trump's just doing the old switcheroo on Biden.

Largemouth bass are an invasive species in Nevada.