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North Dakota Association of Oil and Gas Producing Counties
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Basin Bits Magazine
This semiannual magazine, published in the spring and fall, is the official publication of the ND Association of Oil and Gas Producing Counties.
To sign up to receive a copy of the magazine, please click here.
To read the latest Basin Bits edition via PDF, click this link.
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Uniform County Truck Permit System
This is a county road permit system for over-weight or over-width vehicles on county roads. Since 1986, the NDAOGPC has operated the Uniform County Truck Permit program as a service to counties and the petroleum industry.
For more information or to get permits, click here.
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 We hope that the Halloween holiday treated you well (no pun intended) and that you were able to enjoy it. This week in the NDAOGPC's e-newsletter, we'll share details on interim committee hearings and the latest news related to energy development in the state. Be sure to check out the latest schedule of upcoming events, which will be sure to share additional information on North Dakota's energy sector.
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Energy Development & Transmission Committee Selects Study Partner
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Members of the Energy Development & Transmission Committee listen as proposals to study the state's long-term energy projections are made.
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During its October 31 meeting, the interim Energy Development & Transmission Committee heard from two firms that pitched study proposals aimed at projecting where the state's energy industry is heading and how the industry is impacting the state. The Louis-Berger Group, Inc. and KLJ were the two groups competing for the study. Committee members applauded both of the firms for their presentations, but voted to award the contract for the study to KLJ. KLJ will focus on industry practices, production estimates, and various impacts of growth and production to the state.
For more information, please click here.
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School Ending Fund Balances Trigger Questions on Energy Impact Grants
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The interim Education Funding Committee met this week in Bismarck. One agenda item related to Energy Impact Grants to school districts in the oil patch brought questions on the appropriateness of awarding oil impact grants to school districts that already have "healthy general fund balances". ND Department of Public Instruction's Director of School Finance Jerry Coleman reported to the committee that preliminary 2012-13 ending fund balances total almost $278.7 million statewide. Under the direction of the ND Land Board, $12.5 million per year of the 2013-15 biennium was earmarked from Energy Impact Grant funds for oil-impacted school districts in the west. The ending fund balance report for FY 2012-13, available through this link, shows a listing of all state school district general fund ending fund balances as well as the percentage of general fund ending balances out of total general fund expenditures. Under state law, a school district is not allowed to have carryover of more than 45% of its current annual budget plus $20,000. Some school districts, and those in the western part of the state in particular, are facing extreme strains on their finances due to increased enrollment. Also affecting western ND school budgets was a change in the oil and gas gross production taxes are distributed to political subdivisions. Oil patch schools in counties receiving more than $5 million in gross production tax revenue receive 5% of the local share of that revenue. The percentage of the local share to school districts before the current biennium was 35%. For western schools, that cut in GPT distributions means less revenue for capital expansion projects, teacher and staff salaries, and equipment.
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CNBC Spotlights Williston Restauranteur
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 Marcus Jundt, CEO of Williston Holding Co., which owns the Williston Brewing Co. and three other restaurants in town, was recently featured in a story by CNBC's Brian Sullivan. Jundt talks about the success of his restaurant in the Bakken and how "you have to be here" to be successful. To view the story video, click this link.
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Webinar to Share on Canadian Energy Policy and How it Applies to ND
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A webinar presentation scheduled for Wednesday, November 6, 2013 at 10:00am MST will provide discussion on the Athabasca Oil Sands Area of northern Canada as it relates to the energy impacted region of western North Dakota. Presenters include Jason Petrunia, Jason Thorne, and Maarten Ingen-Housz with planningAlliance, a global resource for boomtown regions and resource communities. These guest speakers will share what happened to our Canadian neighbors in the north and identify how their experience was similar or different than ours in the Bakken. With the development of the Athabasca Oil Sands Area oil sands, affected communities became stressed and overcome by the pace of development, leading to some changes in energy fiscal policy that improved predictable revenue streams to local governments and the development of long-term plans for funded infrastructure improvements to match growth. This webinar is highly relevant to both North Dakota's fiscal energy policy and as a resource to local leaders involved in long-term planning. Get Connected To get connected to the webinar: Step 1: Go to the following URL: http://energizingentrepreneurs.adobeconnect.com/vision-west/ Step 2: Click on 'Enter as a Guest' option. Type in your name then click on 'Enter Room' Step 3: Dial in conference number: 1-800-591-2259 followed by the access code: 485437#.
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Governor and State Officials Assessing Emerging Needs in Western ND
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 Below is a press release sent today from North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple's office relating to the impacts being faced by communities in western North Dakota due to the energy boom. Continued growth and changing dynamics within North Dakota's oil and gas region are creating additional challenges and demands on local governments that have evolved since the 63rd Legislative Assembly adjourned in May. As a result, Gov. Jack Dalrymple today said he has begun an assessment of the latest needs emerging in North Dakota's rapidly developing oil and gas region.
A record $2.5 billion funding package appropriated by the Legislature is effectively targeting the impacts of rapid growth identified in the 63rd Legislative Assembly. The funding - more than twice the amount appropriated during the previous biennium - includes assistance for counties, cities, school districts, townships, law enforcement agencies, critical access hospitals, airports, emergency responders and for other public services in western North Dakota. Cities also are accessing state funds to help pay for municipal water improvement projects; to extend streets and sewer lines for residential and commercial development and for other infrastructure upgrades. More than $552 million has been targeted to rapid-growth impacts in western North Dakota in the first three months of the current biennium.
Since the legislative session's end, however, major shifts in the locations of oil and gas development and increased growth in production as a whole are magnifying existing challenges and creating new ones throughout the state's oil-production region. In on-going meetings with Dalrymple western North Dakota officials, including mayors and county commissioners, report that other factors also are contributing to the region's emerging needs, including excessive moisture throughout the summer and fall which have caused greater damage to road systems.
"North Dakota is at the forefront of a national energy resurgence and the challenges created by the rapid development in our energy industry are very dynamic and in a constant state of change," Dalrymple said. "We must continue to adapt and be responsive to the needs that emerge from this extraordinary and ever-changing growth."
Dalrymple has begun holding meetings with western North Dakota officials to identify needs above and beyond those anticipated during the legislative session. Dalrymple said he will hold additional meetings and has directed state agencies to work with local officials as well.
"We will work with local leaders in western North Dakota to get a complete picture of the additional needs that are emerging and we will also evaluate the options that exist to accelerate funding," Dalrymple said.
County and city leaders have reported that state funding programs - including the Energy Impact Grant Fund, the Housing Incentive Fund and state assistance for infrastructure upgrades- are effective in addressing the impacts of rapid growth. Still, the region is outpacing growth projections and the changes within oil and gas development are creating new demands on local governments. One emerging need voiced by some of the region's city leaders is access to more capital for major public infrastructure projects.
An example of the region's dynamic challenges can be found in Watford City, which is at the epicenter of oil and gas development. In July, the state Land Board awarded Watford City about $12.3 million in grants to expand its wastewater treatment system. City officials requested the funding to expand the wastewater system for a projected population of about 5,000 residents. City officials said construction on the expansion project hasn't yet begun, but their grant request is already outdated because an estimated 6,500 area residents are now utilizing the wastewater treatment system.
Other examples of uncharted growth include airplane boardings at Williston Airport. In September, 7,900 passengers traveled through the airport compared to 2,300 in September, 2012. In Dickinson, city officials have permitted $260 million in building projects through September, about $46 million more than the same time last year.
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NDLTAP Brings Road Education Opportunities
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The ND Local Technical Assistance Program (NDLTAP) is operated in partnership between North Dakota State University (NDSU) and the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) as part of the Federal Highway Administration's Local Technical Assistance Program. NDLTAP services provided by the center encourage and enhance the exchange of highway transportation related technology and information. Local units of government utilize the center as a source for technical assistance and information, educational resources, and work force development. Below you'll find two training events meant to provide information and learning opportunities for local road officials.
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Winter Roads Maintenance for Local Roadways
This training session on Winter Road Maintenance will cover the critical aspects required to efficiently conduct winter operations on local roads (using motor graders).
Topics covered include preparation for winter season; utilization of weather forecasting; guidelines for properly plowing, winging, and benching snow; use of chemicals for ice control; and an overview on snow drift, new technology, and equipment available for snow and ice control.
Upon completion of this training the participant will understand the proper snow plowing techniques for effective snow and ice control, additional tools to assist in snow and ice control, and the preparation necessary to assure a safe and trouble-free winter operation.
There is a $50.00 fee for this course. For course dates and more information, please click this link.
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Truck-Weight Education and Outreach Program
North Dakota Local Technical Assistance Program (NDLTAP) is pleased to announce the upcoming Truck-Weight Education and Outreach Program. NDLTAP has a group of professional instructors that are ready to deliver the ND Truck-Weight Education and Outreach Program. The instructors for the program are Brian Bonness, Doug Hoopman, Alan Billehus, Scott Walch, and Keith Williamson. The instructors have a vast amount of knowledge in truck weight education. The workshop instructors will vary in locations.
The North Dakota Truck-Weight Education and Outreach Program addresses concerns from state, county, city, and township transportation authorities regarding damage from heavy trucks. Explanations are provided which explain road weights during various times of the year. The program promotes voluntary truck-weight compliance, to reduce damage to public roads and highways from overweight vehicles. The goal is to provide information and explanations to attendees on how to haul the most legal weight, without violating the truck-weight laws. How you configure your truck, with proper axle spacing and tire size makes a difference.
The North Dakota Truck-Weight Education and Outreach Program is funded by North Dakota Department of Transportation. The program is being coordinated by North Dakota Technical Assistance Program (NDLTAP)/Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute (UGPTI) - North Dakota State University (NDSU) in collaboration with North Dakota Highway Patrol.
Please pass this information to any entity you feel would benefit from this program. The link below will provide you with workshop dates and locations, registration, and covered topics.
http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=ralgvjfab&oeidk=a07e7r18jx740883673
If you have any question about these programs, please contact NDLTAP Training Coordinator Denise Brown at (701) 328-9856 or by email at Denise.Brown.1@ndsu.edu.
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Upcoming Events
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November 5-6, 2013 The interim Taxation Committee will meet on November 5-6 in the Roughrider Room of the ND State Capitol. The agenda for the meeting is available here.
November 6, 2013 Western North Dakota Energy Project Boom and Bust Webinar Series This webinar presentation will provide discussion on the Athabasca Oil Sands Area of northern Canada as it relates to the energy impacted region of western North Dakota. For more details on the webinar and to get connected, please click here.
November 7, 2013 The interim Government Finance Committee will meet beginning at 9:00am CST on November 7 in the Roughrider Room of the ND State Capitol. The agenda for the meeting is available by clicking this link.
May 20-22, 2014 The 22nd Annual Williston Basin Petroleum Conference will be held May 20-22, 2014 at the Bismarck Civic Center in Bismarck, ND. There have already been over 200 hotel rooms reserved for this conference. We recommend booking the hotel rooms that you need now. Conference registration opens on January 29, 2014.
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Please take your time to review all materials and links provided for your convenience. We at the ND Association of Oil and Gas Producing Counties will continue to provide you up-to-date information on upcoming events and news happening in North Dakota's oil and gas producing counties! Sincerely, Vicky Steiner Executive Director
Brady Pelton Deputy Executive Director
ND Association of Oil & Gas Producing Counties
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400 East Broadway Avenue Suite 304 Bismarck, ND 58501
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Copyright © 2013. All Rights Reserved.
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