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This Week: Secretary Haaland highlights the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s investments in infrastructure and climate resiliency while traveling in Maryland; Interior points to needed reforms in the oil and gas leasing program; the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management approves the construction and operation of the second commercial-scale, offshore wind energy project in the United States; almost 10 years after Hurricane Sandy the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is actively building a better coastline to handle climate change; congratulations to the latest graduating class of the Bureau of Reclamation's Security Response Force Basic Training Program; the Second Gentleman lights the National Menorah on the Ellipse in Washington, D.C.; and you won't believe the pure cuddliness of our social media Picture of the Week!
Secretary Haaland Touts Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in Maryland
 Secretary Haaland was in Maryland this week, touring various sites to highlight the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s investments in infrastructure and climate resiliency initiatives. The Secretary and Rep. David Trone visited the C&O Canal National Historic Park, where they took a boat tour to see the first-ever working aqueduct on the canal — one of only a few working aqueducts in the country. They also toured the Antietam National Battlefield, where the National Park Service is working to modernize the site’s infrastructure. They also held a roundtable with local stakeholders to discuss Interior's commitment to environmental justice and addressing the effects of climate change on marginalized communities.
Interior Finds Significant Shortcomings in Oil & Gas Leasing Programs
 Interior released its report on federal oil and gas leasing and permitting practices this week. That follows a review of onshore and offshore oil and gas programs. The report identifies significant reforms that should be made to ensure the programs provide a fair return to taxpayers; discourage speculation; hold operators responsible for remediation; and more-fully include communities and Tribal, state and local governments in decision-making.
Interior Approves Second Commercial Scale Wind Project in U.S. Waters
 Interior has announced the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s approval of the construction and operations of the South Fork Wind project offshore Rhode Island, the second approval of a commercial-scale, offshore wind energy project in the United States. The project will be located approximately 19 miles southeast of Block Island, Rhode Island, and 35 miles east of Montauk Point, New York. It could generate as much as 130 megawatts, create about 340 jobs and provide enough power for about 70,000 homes.
USFWS Building Resilient Coastlines to Resist Storm Damage, Climate Change
 Nearly a decade after Hurricane Sandy, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and its partners are building a coast that’s better able to withstand and recover from more frequent and intense storms predicted with a changing climate. The new approach uses nature as an ally and applies science and conservation approaches designed to adapt to a changing future, rather than simply recreate conditions of the past.
Reclamation's Security Response Force Basic Training Program Graduates
 Congratulations to the latest graduating class of the Security Response Force Basic Training Program. The Bureau of Reclamation’s Grand Coulee Dam Power Office administers the basic training for employees qualified to serve as security guards. Reclamation joins the Investigator Training Program as only the second Interior program to achieve accreditation status with the Federal Law Enforcement Training Accreditation Board.
 The holiday season is in full swing on the Ellipse in Washington DC this week, with the lighting of the National Menorah by Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff. He's the first Jewish spouse of a Vice President. The first National Menorah was lit by President Jimmy Carter in December of 1979.
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