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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 complimentary 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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Sustaining Community: Equity, Economics and the Next America
This presentation was made by Dr. Manuel Pastor, who gave the opening keynote address at the 2013 HUD Grantee Convening in Washington, D.C.
Click here to view his keynote, which focuses on equity and the changing profile of America.
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 Light white snow and bright colored bows create such memories for young and old. "While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads." Enjoy this week's newsletter below. We look forward to providing you with the most up to date information on issues concerning North Dakota's oil and gas producing counties when we return from holiday in January. Have a Merry Christmas!
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State Land Board Awards Energy Impact Grants to K-12 Schools and Higher Education Institutions
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The Board of University and School Lands (Land Board) awarded over $5.6 million to K-12 schools in the state's oil and gas counties at its meeting Wednesday, December 18. The Land Board also awarded $4 million to higher education institutions impacted by rapid growth in western North Dakota.
"These grants are an important part of a larger state commitment to help meet the many challenges that are created by rapid growth in the state's oil and gas region," said Gov. Jack Dalrymple, chairman of the five-member state Land Board. "With the Energy Impact Grant Fund we can tackle a wide range of challenges. At the same time, we recognize that the challenges from rapid growth are very dynamic and we must always be prepared to adapt our response to meet the region's needs."
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This image by ICON Architectural Group shows the computer-generated concept of McKenzie County Public School District #1's new elementary school.
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The Land Board has set aside $25 million in Energy Impact Grant funds for Oil Patch Schools during the 2013-2015 biennium. The state also is providing $13.6 million in grants to schools throughout the state that are challenged by rapid growth in student enrollments. Most schools currently qualifying for the formula-based funding assistance are located in western North Dakota.
Some examples of the Energy Impact Grant funds awarded to K-12 schools today are:
- $1.376 million for the McKenzie Co. Public School District #1 to purchase land needed for the construction of an additional school.
- $750,000 for Nesson Public School District #2 in Ray, N.D., to provide teacher housing.
- $400,000 for Grenora Public School District in Williams County to replace the school's heating system.
- $279,000 for the Tioga Public School District to expand and remodel its kitchen and cafeteria.
- $400,000 for the Powers Lake Public School District to renovate its high school for additional classrooms.
- $250,000 awarded to the South Prairie Elementary School District in Ward County for portable classrooms.
For a complete list of grants approved by the Land Board go to www.nd.gov/energyimpact.
For more information
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Northwest Landowners Meet in Stanley
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About 100 members of the Northwest Landowners Association (NWLA) gathered Saturday in Stanley to hear from property rights advocates, environmentalists and policy makers. The NWLA includes landowners concerned about mineral and surface rights in the Bakken oil field who look to the association to lobby for their interests. The keynote speaker for the event, Frank Falen, is a property rights advocate and attorney from Cheyenne, Wyo., who has a track record of representing landowners in negotiations with oil and gas companies seeking easements for pipelines. Because laws allow for condemnation when owners fail to reach an easement agreement, Falen said landowners are at a disadvantage in the negotiating process. For more information |
"Soft" Sweet Crude Oil Prices Expected for 2014
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State mineral resources director Lynn Helms says he thinks the price for Bakken crude has hit bottom - but he's expecting 2014 to be a soft year for oil prices.
Helms says the price in November was $71.42 a barrel. That recovered to $73 in December. He says while the price is improving, it's improving slowly.
For more information
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Oil Tax Formula Discussion Ready to Proceed
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This week, all twenty western oil, gas, and coal counties within the ND Association of Oil and Gas Producing Counties have signed a conflict of interest waiver as requested by the Minneapolis law firm, Moss and Barnett. The Moss and Barnett firm has a telecommunications client doing business in North Dakota and requested the waivers to avoid potential for conflict. The NDAOGPC Executive Committee plans to meet with attorney Peter Koller via teleconference in mid-January to discuss the oil and gas tax distribution formula, how it impacts the oil counties, their ability to meet the rapid growth demands, and other legal issues.
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"Places of Extraordinary Significance" Designation Proposed for Areas in Western ND
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Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem on Thursday outlined a proposal to provide extra protection to "extraordinary places" in the oil patch. He told the North Dakota Industrial Commission that recognition of those sites is overdue, as is the need for improving ways for people to comment.  | |
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
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Commission members said the proposal would need further review before they made a decision. Conservationists called it a good first step while an official with an energy industry organization questioned potential impacts on drilling and private landowners. Stenehjem said there has been public backlash in the past couple of years over proposals to drill in such areas of significance as the Elkhorn Ranch, Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the Killdeer Mountains. He said it's been difficult for people to comment on drilling applications because they sometimes don't know about the public hearings. A more formal process would help, Stenehjem said. "We have had a considerable amount of discussion and consternation (on the issue)," Stenehjem said. "I don't think we have a formalized process in place for advanced (public) notice." The rules include a list of 18 places proposed for special protection. They are defined as having "exceptional cultural, historic, scenic, recreational and other spiritual or other value." To read more of the story by the Bismarck Tribune's Nick Smith, please click here. A list of the eighteen "places of extraordinary significance" can be viewed here. |
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Vision West ND Update
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 The Vision West ND Administrative Team discussed the Regional Plan draft for western North Dakota on a conference call Thursday. The project planning consultant, Building Communities, has drawn several issues from the two years of grassroots community meetings and expert interviews. The draft plan will be reviewed by the administrative team and Vision West ND Consortium during 2014. The HUD grant deadline for the Regional Plan is December 2014. For more information on the Vision West ND project, go to www.visionwestnd.com.
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ConocoPhillips Donates $1 Million for New Western ND Hospital
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Bakken operator ConocoPhillips has pledged $1 million to Dickinson's under-construction St. Joseph's Hospital, the hospital announced Tuesday. With the latest gift, the foundation has raised nearly $10 million of its $15 million goal for private fundraising, St. Joseph's Hospital spokeswoman Stephanie Fong said. The other $85 million for the project is coming from parent company Catholic Health Initiatives. ConocoPhillips' donation will come in the form of $250,000 a year for four years. Development of the new hospital, planned to open in fall 2014, was ramped up when the oil boom hit Dickinson and brought with it rapid population growth. For more information |
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Upcoming Events
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December 24, 2013-January 1, 2014
The Bismarck office of the ND Association of Oil and Gas Producing Counties will be closed for the holidays. Have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
January 14, 2014
The January meeting of the ND Association of Oil and Gas Producing Counties Executive Committee will be held at 10:00am CST on Tuesday, January 14, 2013 in Bismarck, ND.
February 10-12, 2014
The Bakken-Three Forks Shale Oil Innovation Conference & Expo will be held February 10-12 at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, ND. More information on the event is available through 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.
September 18, 2014
Be sure to mark your calendars for the 2014 Annual Meeting of the ND Association of Oil and Gas Producing Counties to be held Thursday, September 18, 2014 at the Grand Williston Hotel in Williston, ND. Information on hotel room blocks, the registration process, and sponsorship opportunities will be shared as we get closer to the event.
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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 |
400 East Broadway Avenue Suite 304 Bismarck, ND 58501
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Copyright © 2013. All Rights Reserved.
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