by Conrad Anker In December 2008 during the last days of his administration, the particular time where pardons fly and gifts are acknowledged, George W. Bush offered up 116 energy leases in southern Utah. The leases for underground reserves are put to auction, a standard practice when public property is sold. The market determines the price for the unproven opportunities and in competitive bidding the state, on behalf of the public, receives the highest amount for the resources. Auctions ...