BLM APPROVES DRILLING ON WHITEWATER BASIN
JUNCTION» Federal officials GRAND have approved plans for a company to drill for oil on the Whitewater Basin in western Colorado.
The Daily Sentinel reports that the Bureau of Land Management approved Fram Operating LLC’s Whitewater development plan, which calls for drilling more than 100 wells on 26,000 acres near Grand Junction.
The bureau’s action on the plan has been delayed since 2013 when opponents raised concerns about the project, saying the plan did not adequately take into account the effects of hydraulic fracturing on water and air.
Officials with the advocacy group Western Colorado Congress say they’re considering actions to appeal the decision.
Company officials didn’t immediately respond to the newspaper’s requests for comment.
The next phase of the projects begins when the company when the company submits applications to the bureau for drilling permits.
SpaceX gets OK for broadband service from space.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX won approval from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to offer broadband service from space, using 4,425 satellites in low orbit.
The action, approved in a 5-0 vote announced Thursday, is the first approval of a U.S.-licensed satellite constellation to deliver fast internet service, the agency said in an emailed news release.
Satellites can help extend broadband to Americans who live in remote or hard-to-serve places where fiber-optic cables and cell towers don’t reach, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said in February.
Czech Republic sends suspected hacker to U.S.
PRAGUE» The Czech Republic extradited a Russian man to the U.S. to face charges of hacking computers at LinkedIn, Dropbox and other American companies, an official said Friday.
Yevgeniy Nikulin was flown to the U.S. overnight, Justice Ministry spokeswoman Tereza Schejbalova said.
Nikulin denies he’s a hacker. His defense attorney claimed his case is politically motivated in the U.S.
Branson buys Hard Rock in Vegas.
VEGAS» Billionaire Richard Branson LAS has purchased the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The property, off the Las Vegas Strip, will be rebranded over the next several months as Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.
NYSE in talks to buy Chicago Stock Exchange.
The New York Stock Exchange is in advanced talks to buy the Chicago Stock Exchange, potentially scooping up the smaller venue after its sale to another buyer collapsed, according to people familiar with the matter. A deal valuing the Chicago Stock Exchange at $50 million to $100 million could be announced as soon as next week, said the people.
Airlines may add Havana routes.
Five big U.S. airlines WASHINGTON might add flights to Havana after some carriers dropped service to Cuba’s capital. The Transportation Department proposed Friday that the routes go to American, Delta, United, Southwest and JetBlue. There could be 20 daily flights between the U.S. and Havana. — Denver Post wire services