Montana oil and gas gears up for legislative battles
SIDNEY, Mont. — With state oil revenues significantly down due to a two-year price slump and continuing price weakness in the oil and gas sector, the next budgetary session in the Montana state capitol also promises to be brutal.
Amid that coming challenge, at both state and federal levels, the oil and gas industry is also facing what Montana Petroleum Association’s Executive Director Alan Olson says is an “alphabet soup” of new regulations from both federal and state entities. His organization is among those crafting position statements for 2017 responding to proposed federal rules for venting and flaring, as well as new standards for water discharge permits, and, at the state level, sage grouse preservation and proposed expansion of notice requirements ahead of drilling. That’s just to name a few of the many issues ahead for Montana’s slice of the Bakken.
Olson was in Sidney Tuesday night to discuss the next legislative session and outline MPA priorities on a legislative tour that is winding through oil country in northeast Montana. Among top issues will be preservation of the state’s voluntary sage grouse conservation efforts and a state call-before-you-dig program.
Olson said Montana’s sage-grouse plans haven’t been moving as fast as needed to prevent federal intervention, and he is concerned that funds set aside for the effort may get raided in upcoming budget battles. Matt Rosendale, incumbent Senate District 18 representative now running for state auditor, was asked to weigh in on the matter.
Read more: http://www.willistonherald.com/news/montana-oil-and-gas-gears-up-for-legislative-battles/article_cf2590e8-9663-11e6-90ed-03d577577678.html
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