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North Dakota Association of Oil and Gas Producing Counties
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Stay Connected
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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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 Thank you for your continued interest in the activity of the ND Association of Oil and Gas Producing Counties.
We offer insight on the energy issues of the state and their effects on the communities in western North Dakota.
We hope that you will find this week's News From the NDAOGPC as a valuable source of information.
Have a safe and warm weekend!
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Economic Impact Interim Committee Discusses Transportation Projects
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Transportation infrastructure was a major focus of a recent legislative interim committee meeting in Bismarck. The Economic Impact Committee met Monday, February 3 and heard from representatives of the ND Dept. of Transportation (NDDOT) and the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute (UGPTI).  NDDOT Director Grant Levi reported that there are some concerns that the federal Highway Trust Fund may run out this summer before its September 30 expiration date. North Dakota received $235.5 million in federal funding apportionments in 2014. If no new revenues are found, federal highway obligations will fall by almost 100% in FY 2015. Levi also shared information on the $280 million that was appropriated to county roads through HB 1358. Under that piece of legislation, $160 million was allotted to oil producing counties and $120 million went to non-oil producing counties. So far in the biennium, oil producing counties have requested 46% of their amount for county road projects. Levi's full presentation to the committee is available here. Denver Tolliver also gave an update on the UGPTI's needs study of roads and bridges. The study is expected to be completed by May 2014, with a final report release date in June 2014. The study, when complete, will show maps detailing traffic volume, capacity, and condition assessments. It will also show cost projections for both the immediate needs and ongoing maintenance based on traffic volume and current conditions. The study covers both paved and unpaved county/township roads and bridges. Tolliver's presentation is available here. For more information on the UGPTI needs study, visit www.ugpti.org/. |
NDAOGPC Executive Committee Meets with Local Leaders
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On Wednesday, February 5, 2014, representatives of the western ND "hub" cities of Williston and Dickinson met with Watford City Mayor Brent Sanford and members of the NDAOGPC Executive Committee to talk about the 5% oil and gas gross production tax formula.
School and county officials also presented information about how the new tax formula is impacting rapidly growing western schools. Some of these schools must either build a new facilities or buy modular units to accommodate the new surge of students.
The group's meeting was in anticipation of a larger conversation to be held in Bismarck later this month. Dickinson Press reporter Bryan Horwath wrote an article about some of the discussion. Check out his report here.
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Vision West ND Consortium Reviews Regional Plan
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McKenzie County Public School District Superintendent and NDAOGPC President Steve Holen leads group discussion on a section of the Vision West ND Regional Plan dealing with education.
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Vision West ND consortium members reviewed a draft regional plan on Thursday, February 6 in Minot. The group is building a western ND regional plan based on consensus among the nineteen participating counties and groups within those counties. Newly-elected chairman Daryl Dukart, Dunn County Commissioner, assigned special committees to work on debated topics. The group will finish four sections of the regional plan at its next meeting in March.
The group thanked 2013 chairman Mark Resner, Hettinger County JDA, for his service. The federal grant that funds the Vision West ND project over a three year period ends January 31, 2015. The group worked yesterday to develop specific action items in hope that it will move the plan forward.
For more information
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Public Comment Open on Drilling Permit Review Policy
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As detailed in last week's News From the NDAOGPC, the North Dakota Industrial Commission is reviewing a policy that will:
- outline the review process that is currently used for the issuance of a drilling permit on all lands;
- identify Areas of Interest (frequently referred to as extraordinary places);
- establish a process that would allow an opportunity for the public to comment on any proposed drilling permits located within those Areas of Interest.
The proposed policy is available at http://www.nd.gov/ndic/Drill.htm along with a Fact Sheet and a Map of Areas of Interest.
Because there were several drafts of the policy the ND Industrial Commission wanted the public to have the most recent version along with information about the proposed draft. If you have specific comments on the proposed policy please submit them to the Commission by 5:00 p.m. on February 25, 2014.
Comments may be submitted either by mailing to:
North Dakota Industrial Commission
Attention: Industrial Commission Executive Director
State Capitol, 14th Floor
600 East Boulevard
Bismarck, North Dakota 58505
Comments may also be submitted electronically to ndicinfo@nd.gov.
If you are submitting comments electronically please provide your Postal Service mailing address. Any comments received are open records and available to the public.
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State-run Oil Pipeline Inspection Program Proposal Likely from PSC
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Public Service Commission Chairman Brian Kalk says it is "very likely" the regulatory agency will ask state lawmakers to create an inspection program for oil pipelines in North Dakota, an idea propelled by a massive oil spill last fall near Tioga. Kalk's comment came at the end of an informal discussion Thursday between the three-member commission and officials from the federal agency that currently oversees transmission pipelines carrying oil and other hazardous liquids such as gasoline and propane. The commission, which already approves the siting of such pipelines, would need to adopt federal pipeline standards and provide trained inspectors to launch a state program. For more information |
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Truckers Who Dump Illegal Waste in Western ND Rarely Caught
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Local officials in the Oil Patch say they know some truck drivers are dumping liquid waste in remote areas to save time and money, but it's rare to be able to pursue criminal charges. "We are seeing lots of dumping, we have for a long time," McKenzie County Emergency Manager Jerry Samuelson said. "You've just got to catch them." One of those rare cases is in Mountrail County, where prosecutors have charged a truck driver with a felony after he allegedly dumped a toxic byproduct of oil drilling onto a roadway to save time. For more information, check out Amy Dalrymple's Forum News Service full report. |
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Letter from Energy Infrastructure & Impact Office Administrator Gerry Fisher Regarding Dust Control Pilot Program
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February 4, 2014
Good afternoon,
The Oil and Gas Impact Grant Fund is used to provide assistance through grants to political subdivisions experiencing direct impacts from oil and gas development within North Dakota. Of the $240 million appropriated to the fund for the 2013-2015 biennium, $119.39 million in awards and 32.24 million in pledges to future awards have been provided to-date by the Board of University and School Lands (Land Board).
Of the awards provided, $3 million was designated for a dust control pilot program. In July 2013, the Land Board awarded $1 million each to Bowman, Dunn and Mountrail counties based on their agreement to be a part of the pilot program. The counties were requested to use a variety of materials and methods to control dust and agreed to monitor and report the results to the Energy Infrastructure and Impact Office (EIIO) by January 1, 2014. The reports were received from the counties in December 2013.
The EIIO would like to thank Dave Glatt-Department of Health, Fritz Schwindt, and everyone from Bowman, Dunn and Mountrail counties who assisted in this pilot program. Their assistance and participation will benefit others experiencing similar challenges from dust exposure caused by the increased traffic from oil and gas development.
To allow other counties and areas to benefit from the reports, attached you will find an electronic copy of the combined reports.
Thank you!
Gerry
Gerry Fisher
Administrator, Energy Infrastructure & Impact Office
North Dakota Department of Trust Lands
701-328-1947
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NDAOGPC Accepting Applications for 2014 Scholarship Awards
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ATTENTION ND STUDENTS!!
T he NDAOGPC is again sponsoring a scholarship program for students in North Dakota focusing on energy-related degrees. Students who have completed 12 credit hours or more are welcome to apply for one of six scholarships that will be awarded in August 2014. Applicantsshould be pursuing degrees in engineering, chemistry, geology, petroleum sciences or other studies directly related to the oil and gas industry. Invitations to apply for the Association's 2014 scholarships were recently sent to all North Dakota colleges, universities, and vocational schools. We strongly encourage all readers to share this opportunity with anyone they believe may qualify. The application can be downloaded HERE. The deadline for application submission is June 15, 2014. Don't miss this great opportunity to gain financial assistance for an industry related education!!
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Upcoming Events
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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. The conference and expo is the nation's only shale oil conference with a comprehensive agenda focused on the innovations shaping the Bakken and Three Forks shale oil play. NDAOGPC Executive Director Vicky Steiner is slated to present to conference attendees on issues surrounding oil tax distribution. More information on the conference is available through this link.
February 15, 2014
The 17th Annual A.P. I. Gumbo Cookoff will be held Saturday, February 15, at the Quality Inn & Suites in Dickinson, ND. Eighteen teams will compete against each other for a first place trophy and $300, a second place trophy and $200 and a third place trophy and $100. Trophies will also be awarded for the Best Cajun Costume and the People's Choice Award for the Gumbo.
The American Petroleum Industry and area businesses will be hosting this winter bayou event that will include public taste testing, door prizes and an evening dance for $6 per person. All proceeds go toward local charities and college scholarships.
Cooking begins at 11:00 am with teams preparing their ingredients. The public is welcome to view the preparations early in the day and the taste testing begins at 6:30 pm. The dance begins at 8:30 pm until 12 am.
February 19, 2014
County, city, school, and township officials will be meeting with western ND state legislators, economic developers, and state officials on Wednesday February 19 to discuss funding for the western region's political subdivisions.
February 25, 2014
The ND Local Technical Assistance Program (NDLTAP) is hosting a roundtable discussion meeting for oil and gas producing county officials on Tuesday, February 25 at the Buckskin Bar and Grill in Killdeer, ND. The meeting will begin at 10:00 AM CT and go until 3:00 PM. This is an informal meeting where the challenges and successes of road issues in the oil producing counties will be discussed. Participants are asked to register for the meeting in order to ensure an accurate meal count. Please contact NDLTAP Training Coordinator Denise Brown at (701) 328-9856 for more information.
February 26-27, 2014
ND Housing Finance Agency's 23rd Annual Statewide Housing Conference will be held on February 26 and 27, 2014, at the Ramkota Hotel in Bismarck, ND. The event will bring together community leaders and industry professionals from across the state to discuss the ways that our state's unique housing challenges can be addressed.
Conference attendees will learn from experts, hone their skills and discuss trends. Networking with peers will enhance learning opportunities. For more information on the event, check out the NDHFA's website at www.ndhfa.org.
April 2-4, 2014
The DUG Bakken and Niobrara Conference and Exhibition is scheduled for April 2-4, 2014. The event comes one month earlier this year. Last year's event attracted more than 2,000 attendees, 38 sponsors, and 200 exhibitors. The conference focuses on the Bakken, the emerging Niobrara, and oil- and liquids-rich resource plays throughout the Rockies. Check out more information on the event at www.dugbakken.com/.
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 opened this week, with every available event exhibition booth being booked within four minutes of registration going live. More information on the Williston Basin Petroleum Conference is available here.
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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