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Montana Petroleum Association
HEARD IT THROUGH THE PIPELINE
March 24, 2008
SAGE GROUSE:
In January, a meeting was held in
Salt Lake City at the request of several western state wildlife agencies to review current research on sage grouse. The purpose of this meeting was for agency staff to interview various researchers to ensure they were interpreting the research correctly. Out of that meeting came a report called the Multi-State Best Science (MSBS) document. The MSBS document and a letter were then sent by agency staff to their appropriate director asking that the MSBS be submitted to the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and USFWS as agency comment for consideration in the sage grouse listing decision. MPA had many concerns with this document, but the most serious is that this meeting was conducted by agency personnel without inviting any industry people; nor any scientists who have recently completed papers on sage grouse, most notably, the work done by Renee Taylor.
MPA and the Petroleum Association of Wyoming have sponsored additional work by Ms. Taylor. This work was extensive mapping of oil and gas development and sage grouse lek information in Wyoming, coupled with a detailed analysis of the MSBS document. MPA has submitted the maps and analysis to the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. They are rather large files so instead of attaching them to this document they have been placed on the MPA website: mpa@montanapetroleum.org. They are in a member only section so if you do not have a member password please contact bobbie@montanapetroleum.org.
BLM Items:
MPA thought the two notices from the BLM may be of interest to membership:
First, this link takes you to protest letters that have been received to date by the BLM and not resolved. http://www.blm.gov/mt/st/en/prog/energy/oil_and_gas/leasing/protests.html
Secondly, this link is for the IM regarding Oil and Gas lease mergers and name changes.
THANK YOU TO 2008 NEW AND RENEWED MEMBERS (3/15/08 – 3/24/08):
Aerotech Herman Nelson; ALL Consulting; Brown and Caldwell; Enerplus Resources (USA) Corporation; Hohn Engineering, PLLC; NewMech Companies, Inc.
Montana Petroleum Association
HEARD IT THROUGH THE PIPELINE
March 14, 2008
Climate Change:
The Montana Environmental Quality Council (EQC) met in Helena on March 10th and 11th to review the results of the climate change survey, and determine what actions, if any, they would take regarding potential committee legislation. All the votes and comments from the EQC survey respondents has been collected and listed on the EQC website: http://leg.mt.gov/css/lepo/2007_2008/environmental_quality_council/climatesurvey/climatesurvey.asp
The EQC spent a long day debating the appropriate course of action. There are links to some media articles listed below for your review. It is important to keep in mind the deadlines for interim committee legislation. If the EQC intends to pursue any committee bills they must make the decision to draft those bills at the May 12 &13 meeting. To pinpoint recommendations for consideration of committee legislation the council chose 15 recommendations that garnered the most support from the survey process during the month of February. Those recommendations in order of priority are:
| AFW 12 AFW 11 TLU 10 RCII 2 RCII 13 AFW 8 CC 4 TLU 9 RCII 10 RCII 8 AFW 7 AFW 4 CC 7.1 RCII 11 RCII 6 |
Enhanced solid waste recovery and recycling Programs to promote local food and fiber Transportation system management Market transformation and development programs Metering technologies/load management and choice Afforestation/reforestation programs, restocking State Climate public education and outreach Procurement of efficient fleet vehicles Industrial energy audits and implementation Support of renewable energy applications Expanded use of biomass feedstock for energy use Incentives for enhancing GHG benefits/farm bill conservation Targets for reducing the State’s own Low income and rental housing energy efficiency program Consumer education programs |
An effort was made by Representative Sue Dickenson to include ES 2, renewable energy incentives (biomass, wind, solar, geothermal), in the above recommendations. Representative Dickenson’s motion failed on a tie vote.
MPA took a do not support position on the following recommendations accepted by the committee: AFW 12; CC 4; CC 7.1; RCII 6; RCII 2; and RCII 10.
The Legislative staff was directed to take these recommendations and determine which recommendations the administration is already working to implement, decide which ones can be done by policy or administrative rule, and develop draft legislation for implementation of the rest. This Legislative staff work will be reviewed at the May EQC meeting. The MPA Climate Change Task Force will be digging deeper into these recommendations so MPA can offer input at the next meeting.
MPA Public Affairs Committee:
At the MPA Board of Directors meeting last week a decision was made to energize the MPA Public Affairs Committee (PA). Members interested in being involved in the PA Committee should send an email to mpa@montanapetroleum.org and let us know. In the coming days a notice will be sent to current MPA members who were once listed on the committee to determine their level of interest. The actual direction of the Board was for Executive Director Dave Galt to work with interested members and bring a proposed action plan for consideration by the Board at the June MPA planning meeting. This effort will include a review of the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association’s Good Neighbor Plan for possible implementation in Montana.
MPA Planning Meeting:
The MPA Planning Meeting is scheduled for June 17-18, 2008 with an opening reception on the evening of June 16th. The 2008 Planning Meeting will be held at the River Rock Lodge in Big Sky, Montana. This is a beautiful part of the State and we are sure to have many topics to discuss in preparation for the 2009 Montana legislative cycle. Space at the main lodge is limited and we ask that you contact Bobbie to secure a room reservation (please see attached registration form). As the meeting time draws near, MPA will provide a list of recreational opportunities for you to consider while attending the meeting. Again, please get your room reservation confirmed by contacting Bobbie at mpa@montanapetroleum.org. Thank you for your early response.
Chamber of Commerce Climate Change Seminar:
Those of you who are interested in the current climate change debate may find this conference interesting.
Time is running out before we cut off registration for the Montana Climate Change Dialogue in Billings on March 19th at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. The Dialogue will focus on the economic impacts of climate change legislation, including effects to electricity rates, energy prices, jobs and more. The Dialogue will also feature a special study that was conducted on Montana if the Lieberman-Warner Climate Change Act is passed. We have speakers coming in from all over the country and from around Montana, so take a minute to register today. You can register by visiting our website: www.montanachamber.com, and clicking on the Montana Climate Change Dialogue link on the right, or call Jon Bennion at 406-442-2405, ext. 104. Space is limited, so make your reservation now!
Jon Bennion
Government Relations Director
Montana Chamber of Commerce
406 442-2405, ext. 104
jon@montanachamber.com
Leadership Montana:
Leadership Montana is taking applications for the 2009 cohort. Entering the Leadership Montana program involves the participant in a variety of issue based discussions on issues facing Montana. I urge you to take a look at their website: www.leadershipmontana.org and consider an application. The deadline is March 31, 2008.
SUMMER 2008 PETROLEUM RESOURCES TEACHERS WORKSHOP:
The Montana Board of Oil & Gas is hosting the summer Petroleum Resources Teachers Workshop on June 23rd through June 27th at the MSU–Billings Campus. The workshop is an effective way to educate Montana teachers on the petroleum industry and the impact on the people and economy of Montana. Please see the attached brochure, and encourage any teacher you may know to give the conference some consideration.
Articles of Interest:
Recycling tops list of Climate Change Recommendations from Governor Schweitzer’s Climate Change Advisory Committee:
http://www.helenair.com/articles/2008/03/07/state/80st_080307_globalwarming.txt
Montana Budget Prospects Tighten for 2009:
http://billingsgazette.net/articles/2008/03/07/news/state/28-budgettightening.txt
Montana’s U.S. Senator Tester Calls for Better Oil and Gas Lease Process:
http://www.newwest.net/city/article/
tester_calls_for_better_oil_gas_lease_procedures_at_hunter_angler_fundraise/C8/L8/
The Helena Independent Record: This is the IR’s editorial board’s reaction to climate change discussions during the Environmental Quality Council meeting:
http://helenair.com/articles/2008/03/12/opinions/top/irview_080312.txt
BLM best management practices awards:
http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/info/newsroom/2007/august/NR_0708_02.html
Interesting article regarding conservation easements and development:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=88038482
Climate Change survey response from Alberta, Canada scientists:
http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/story.html?id=1d688937-54b7-48f4-a4be-d6979dada5df&k=65311
THANK YOU TO 2008 NEW AND RENEWED MEMBERS (2/26/08 – 3/14/08):
Browning, Kaleczyc, Berry & Hoven, P.C.; Edmonds Energy Corp.; EOG Resources; Fisher Holdings LLC; Gray and Johnson PLLP; HydroSolutions, Inc.; Jefferson Energy Trading; Mountain Pacific General; Nabors Well Services Co.; Noble Energy, Inc.; Quicksilver Resources; Titan Oil & Gas Services; Whiting Petroleum Corp.
If you did not receive a renewal membership packet, please contact Bobbie Gardner at the MPA office immediately by emailing mpa@montanapetroleum.org or calling 406-442-7582. Thank you.
