WDEA Executive Committee Urges Senator Heitkamp to Reject BLM Rule

The WDEA Executive Committee is urging ND Senator Heidi Heitkamp to support a Congressional resolution to disapprove the Bureau of Land Management’s Methane Venting and Flaring Rule.

In a letter to Senator Heitkamp, WDEA President Daryl Dukart said the BLM rules are unnecessary because North Dakota addressed the flaring issue nearly three years ago. The state Industrial Commission in July 2014 approved rules which required operators in the Bakken and Three Forks plays to file plans to capture the gas produced in association with oil production. 

Because the BLM rules would apply not only to wells with federal leases, but also to any spacing unit that contains federal minerals, they would impact nearly 3,000 private wells. The rules could force well owners to curtail production to meet BLM’s flaring thresholds, potentially costing producers and the state’s taxpayers millions of dollars.

HJR 36 is awaiting action in the U.S. Senate.  The House earlier approved the measure on a 221-191 vote.

Click here to read WDEA’s letter to Senator Heitkamp.

Pipeline Reclamation Bill Receives Final Legislative Approval

Legislation that will continue to assist landowners who encounter pipeline reclamation problems is on its way to the Governor’s desk. 

SB 2236 passed the House 80-11 this week. The bill makes permanent a program that provides mediation services to landowners who have had problems associated with pipelines that cross their land.

One of the bill’s sponsors, Rep. Dick Anderson, R-Willow City, said the mediation service was started as a pilot program two years ago, and landowners have been happy with the results.

Click here to listen to Rep. Anderson’s explanation.

Click here to read more about the Pipeline Restoration and Reclamation Oversight Program. 

WDEA Truck Permit Bill Moves One Step Closer to Final Passage

The ND Senate Transportation Committee voted 6-0 on Thursday to approve HB 1320, legislation that will enhance the operation of WDEA’s Uniform Truck Permit System. The full Senate will consider the bill next week.

The legislation is a response to an interim study, and is the byproduct of a working group that included WDEA, as well as the ND Petroleum Council, the ND Association of Counties, the ND Motor Carriers Association, the ND Association of Township Officers, several energy industry players and a few legislators. 

The bill is a positive step to provide uniformity and efficiency in the movement of oversize vehicles in the Bakken. It also sets the stage for the possible expansion of the truck permit system to other counties throughout North Dakota.

Click here to read more details about this bill.

ND Legislation Aimed at Cleaning Up Old Brine Pits

A bill awaiting action in the ND Senate, HB 1347, would appropriate $5 million over the next two years to examine the best way to deal with salty brine pits left behind by older oil drilling operations.

The pits are associated with wells drilled prior to 1984 in northern reaches of the Bakken, according to Lynn Helms, director of the state Department of Mineral Resources.  Helms said producers at that time hoped nature would eventually take care of the salty ponds, but instead the problem worsened and the brine started moving through the soil.                

Now, research is needed to assess just how big the problem is, and to look for cost effective ways to undo the damage.

Click here to listen to Helms explanation of the problem.  

ND House Approves Taxpayer Notification Legislation

A bill intended to help North Dakota taxpayers better understand their property tax bill passed the ND House this week.

SB 2288  will require county auditors to send all property owners a “truth in taxation” notice no later than August 31 each year. The notice will include the date, time, and location of the budget hearing for each of the taxing districts in which the property is located, and where the taxing district's budget is available for review. It will also show the difference between the taxing district's total levy from the previous year and the taxing district's estimated levy for the coming year.

One of the bill’s co-sponsors, Rep. Michael Howe, R-West Fargo, said the intent is to better inform taxpayers about the effect of local spending on their property tax bill.

Click here to listen to Rep. Howe’s comments.

Pipeline Siting Legislation Clears House Committee

Legislation that would streamline the siting of gas and liquid transmission pipelines received unanimous approval this week in the ND House Energy & Natural Resources Committee.

SB 2286 would expand the Public Service Commission’s siting process to incorporate conditions required by local planning and zoning boards. The bill essentially consolidates the PSC hearing and county/township hearings into a single proceeding.

The amended legislation is the result of a compromise reached between the ND Petroleum Council, WDEA and other local government interests. The bill will require that local concerns are addressed in PSC pipeline construction permits. It also requires the legislature to review the new siting procedure during the 2017-19 interim to ensure it is working as intended. 

Developers continue to build single-family homes in the county. County Commissioner Wayne Aberle said those homes in the $200,000 to $300,000 range are most popular, but some more expensive homes are being also being built. The drive for more housing follows the demand for more workers, especially fracking crews and truck drivers.  They’re being paid a premium if they have a haz-mat certification. Even truckers who haul gravel to frack sites are making $100,000/year.

Click here for the Williams County Member's Voice story

Crews are focusing efforts on cleaning the 5½ miles of creek, which runs through privately owned land and U.S. Forest Service grazing land.

"They want to get that back into operation and healthy for cattle prior to the grazing season," Suess said.

Amy Dalrymple's Forum News Service story is here

The Trump administration issued a permit Friday to build the Keystone XL pipeline, reversing the conclusion of the Obama administration and clearing the way for the $8 billion project to finally be completed. The State Department, responsible for reviewing the project because it crosses an international border, determined that building it serves U.S. national interests.

The decision caps a years-long fight between environmental groups and energy industry advocates over the pipeline’s fate that became a proxy battle over global warming. It marks one of the biggest steps taken to date by the Trump administration to prioritize economic development over environmental concerns.

Click here for Amy Dalrymple story on opposition to KXL

The new project will be built with the latest wind-turbine technology to maximize production and is expected to be complete in 2019.  Allete also operates Thunder Spirit wind farm near Hettinger. 

Click here for Allete news release 

• Foxtail Wind, a 150 MW self-build project located in Dickey County, North Dakota, developed by NextEra Energy Resources

• Crowned Ridge Wind Project, a 300 MW build-own-transfer project and a 300 MW power purchase agreement. The project will be located in Codington, Deuel and Grant Counties, South Dakota, developed by a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources

Full news release from Xcel Energy is here

Second Theodore Roosevelt Expressway Cleanup

Communities across North Dakota are encouraged to conduct local litter clean-up activities during Clean-Up week April 30 - May 7. This designated week is an opportunity for communities to beautify roadways and parks for area residents and visitors.

The Theodore Roosevelt Expressway Association (TRE) is organizing its second annual clean-up week along the US Highway 85 in western North Dakota. A planned US 85 Clean-up week is scheduled for April 30 - May 7. This event is an effort to pick up trash along the US 85 corridor and to promote a litter free roadway. In order to get this project done, many volunteers will be needed. Those interested in volunteering for clean-up week along US 85 should contact Cal Klewin, TRE Executive Director, at 701-523-6171 or email him at cal@trexpressway.com. 

Legislature increases fine for littering

Click here for Bismarck Tribune litter story