Out West (Presented by the Western Governors’ Association)

The fast-approaching future of quantum computing with Colorado Governor Jared Polis

For years, quantum computing has sounded like something straight out of science fiction. Now, it’s getting real. The industry is rapidly advancing, major breakthroughs are coming into view, and quantum could soon begin reshaping everyday life—just as artificial intelligence has in recent years. In this episode, WGA Communications Specialist Eli Jaynes speaks with Colorado Governor Jared Polis, University of New Mexico Professor Ivan Deutsch, and Atom Computing’s Chief Product Officer, Justin Ging, about the state of the industry and where it’s headed next.  He also speaks with Professor Heather Lewandowski from the University of Colorado and Gwen Leifer from Lockheed Martin about efforts to develop a quantum workforce capable of taking this industry to the next level.

Cleaning Up Abandoned Hardrock Mines with Colorado Senator John Hickenlooper

Somewhere between 140,000 and 390,000 abandoned hardrock mines are scattered throughout the West. Many have sat idle for decades, posing serious safety risks and polluting Western waterways. Last year, Congress took action on this issue by passing the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act. The law launches a pilot program that allows for the cleanup of 15 mine sites without fear of liability — a landmark step to accelerate reclamation across the region. Western Governors have advocated for this legislation for decades, and WGA celebrated the bill's passage.  Tune in to hear from Colorado Senator and former Governor John Hickenlooper as well as experts and organizations involved in cleaning up abandoned mines. They share why this legislation matters, how the pilot program will work, and what kinds of projects could finally move forward under its protections. In addition to Senator Hickenlooper, you'll hear from David Hockey, the Acting Director of EPA’s Office of Mountains, Deserts, and Plains; Chris Wood, CEO of Trout Unlimited; and Rob Ghiglieri, Administrator of the Nevada Division of Minerals.

Energy Superabundance: Unlocking Prosperity in the West with Utah Governor Spencer Cox

In June, Utah Governor Spencer Cox became Chair of the Western Governors’ Association. His Chair Initiative, Energy Superabundance: Unlocking Prosperity in the West, will explore how states can expand energy production, transmission, and storage to meet rising demand and achieve true energy abundance across the region. In this episode of Out West, WGA Executive Director Jack Waldorf sits down with Governor Cox to talk about the inspiration and vision behind his new initiative. You’ll also hear from WGA Policy Advisor Abby Pelsmaeker, who spoke with Emy Lesofski, Director of the Utah Office of Energy Development, to learn more about Utah’s approach to energy innovation—and how it can help seize the opportunities shaping our nation’s energy future. Finally, you’ll hear from John Wagner, the Laboratory Director at the Idaho National Laboratory, who spoke at the first Energy Superabundance workshop about the unique factors driving today’s nuclear resurgence—one he says is unlike anything he’s seen in his 30-year career.      Finally, WGA would like to thank our initiative partners: Advanced Energy United; American Clean Power; Amazon Web Services; ClearPath; Deloitte; Idaho National Laboratory; Iron Workers International; JP Morgan Chase; National Hydropower Association; NextEra Energy; Nuclear Energy Institute; The Pew Charitable Trusts; Southwest Power Pool, and Williams Companies.

Leave it to Beaver: How Nature’s Engineers Help Mitigate Disasters

The history of the West has always been defined by water. Long before settlers arrived, Indigenous peoples designed complex water management systems to cultivate the arid land. In the 19th and 20th centuries, large-scale engineering projects redistributed water across the West, enabling the region’s rapid growth. Today, western water resources are stretched thin, and as rivers and streams dry up, so too does the environmental resiliency that’s provided by healthy riparian zones.   To help address this issue, many western states are looking to beavers – long known as nature’s engineers – to ensure more water is retained on the landscape. New research shows that this will help restore biodiversity and mitigate the effects of prolonged drought, unexpected flooding, and catastrophic wildfires.     In this episode of Out West, WGA policy advisors Jonah Seifer and Zach Nowak spoke with beaver experts from around the region about how these aquatic rodents can help us restore balance to the West’s water systems.   For these discussions they were joined by Emily Fairfax, an ecohydrologist, beaver researcher, and Assistant Professor of Geography at the University of Minnesota; Chris Jordan, a Fisheries Biologist with NOAA’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center; Alexander Funk, the Director of Water Resources and Senior Counsel at the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership; Marshall Wolf, a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission; and Jerry Altermatt, a habitat biologist with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

Exploring Community Navigator Programs with USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Meryl Harrell

In the wake of natural disasters, navigating complicated bureaucratic systems can be extremely challenging – especially for those living in historically underserved communities. Community navigators can help raise awareness about available resources and provide technical assistance when applying for grants or other government aid.  In this episode of Out West, WGA senior policy advisor Jonah Seifer speaks with Meryl Harrell, the Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They discuss the department’s newly formed community navigators program and how it can help disseminate funds more equitably and efficiently.   Jonah also spoke with Jonathan Bruno and Thérèse d'Auria Ryley from Coalitions and Collaboratives, one of the USDA’s partners charged with enacting the community navigators program on the ground.