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North Dakota Association of Oil and Gas Producing Counties
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Stay Connected
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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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 Happy Easter greetings to you! Thank you for your continued interest in the activity of the ND Association of Oil and Gas Producing Counties. We hope that you will find this week's News From the NDAOGPC as a valuable source of information.
Have a great Easter holiday!
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ND Governor Shares on State's Positive Business Climate
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Governor Jack Dalrymple spoke to business leaders, state legislators, and civic officials this week, Tuesday, April 15, at the Greater ND Chamber's 2014 Governor's Business Forum. Keynoting the event's opening noon meal, Dalrymple shared on the many positive policies in place that allow businesses of all types to prosper in North Dakota. The state, he said, has recently been recognized as being the "best run" state in the nation, in addition to being the most happ y.
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Governor Jack Dalrymple opens the GNDC's 2014 Governor's Business Forum in Grand Forks.
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"Exciting things are happening in North Dakota and that is due in large part to our aggressive economic development efforts and commitment to building a business climate that fosters innovation and growth," said Dalrymple. "It is important that we continue to strengthen our business environment so we can sustain that growth well into the future. This Forum is a great opportunity for business leaders and state and local officials to share their ideas for visionary policies and strategies."Dalrymple highlighted the state's economic growth, job creation and expansion of targeted industries, and encouraged attendees to identify innovative ways to advance North Dakota's proven business development strategies for future growth and opportunity.
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From left to right: Debra Anderson, President, Summers Manufacturing Co., Inc.; Julie Fedorchak, Commissioner, ND Public Service Commission; and Kathleen Neset, President, Neset Consulting Service, Inc. speak from their perspectives as women in business and leadership during a Business Forum session.
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In addition to providing the Forum's keynote presentation, Dalrymple participated in a panel discussion about property tax reform. Dalrymple was joined by Senator Dwight Cook, chair of the Senate Finance and Taxation Committee, and Michael Montplaisir, auditor for Cass County. Dalrymple provided an overview of the mission of the Task Force on Property Tax Reform that he chairs and an update on the task force's goals and progress after holding several meetings.
Regarding tax policy, Cook said several bill drafts are currently being developed by the interim Taxation Committee, which he chairs. "It's not real sexy stuff," he said, in reference to the tax issues. However, Cook and the rest of the panel agreed that making the state's tax policy easier for the taxpaying public to understand was critical.
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Five major bill drafts are now being reviewed by Cook's committee. One would change mills to dollars and simplify property tax statements. Another would create uniformity to all property tax statements across all counties of the state. In an effort to standardize the property tax assessment process, Cook's committee and the ND Association of Counties have been working to create policy for one classification for county assessor training.
Seeking to create more accountability for use of public dollars, the Taxation Committee is also reviewing a bill draft that would create more oversight for unelected or appointed local boards and commissions that have tax levying ability. Finally, Cook explained another bill draft that would evaluate the effectiveness and appropriateness of every state economic development incentive currently allowed in statute.
 ND Tax Commissioner Ryan Rauschenberger also updated the group on ND 2020 & Beyond, an initiative designed to take the state to the next level of economic prosperity with an emphasis on enhancing quality of life and making North Dakota communities an obvious choice for those interested in diversified opportunities. ND 2020 & Beyond places emphasis on the value of the state's people, the unique quality of place in the state, and the state's diverse opportunities available. More information on the ND 2020 & Beyond project is available at www.nd2020andbeyond.com. More information on the Governor's Business Forum is available in this Grand Forks Herald story by John Hageman.
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Changes to State Road Work-Over Rig Move Permitting Policies
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On April 15, 2014, the ND Petroleum Council, a large representation of the work-over service rig industry, the NDDOT, and the NDHP had a meeting in regard to work-over service rig movements during the spring thaw and ton mile fees.
In the spring of the year, weights allowed on the state highway system are reduced because the roadbeds are thawing and highways are most susceptible to damage. Movement of overweight vehicles and loads become more restrictive. Work-over service rigs that are excessive in weight are restricted to traveling minimal state highway miles.
Through discussion with all parties, a proposal was made to allow more state highway miles to be traveled and for a ton mile fee to be assessed for these movements. The NDDOT and NDHP agreed with the proposal provided the vehicle was stripped, there was no alternative route for travel, and approval for the movement was obtained from the district engineer. If the axle weights are too excessive for a state highway, the movement can be denied and it will be necessary to further reduce the weight of the vehicle. Depending on the highway and its stability, companies may be required to remove the derrick section of the rig in order to mitigate damage and be allowed travel on the requested highway.
Effective immediately, ton mile fees shall be assessed on a work-over service rig movement when axle weights exceed weight limits imposed on highways in the spring of the year and on highways with load limits year around. When travel is on I-94 or I-29, ton mile fees shall not be assessed.
Updated policies reflecting these changes shall be posted on the NDHP website no later than April 18, 2014.
Questions on the permitting of work over rigs and the change in this policy can be directed to the North Dakota Highway Patrol Permit Section at (701) 328-2621 or email ndhppermits@nd.gov .
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Spring 2014 Basin Bits Magazine Now Available
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 The official publication of the ND Association of Oil and Gas Producing Counties is now available! The Spring 2014 edition of Basin Bits is available on the NDAOGPC website, www.ndenergy.org, or by clicking here for the direct link. This edition features stories on the Bakken's water needs, increasing oil and gas recovery, landowners' rights, EMS provision, pipeline rules, an update on the Vision West ND project, and many other issues associated with western North Dakota's shale play.
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Conference Shares Information on Public Infrastructure Issues
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Local officials, developers, and businesses involved in expanding public infrastructure in western North Dakota gathered in Bismarck on Wednesday, April 16 to learn more on improving public infrastructure. The 'Financing, Developing & Constructing Public Infrastructure in the Bakken' event was hosted by Dorsey & Whitney LLP and allowed panel speakers to field questions on everything from leveraging public dollars toward development in collaboration with the private sector to project risk and insurance.
The conference was designed for city and county staff, engineers, elected officials, economic development professionals, construction industry professionals, and other executives involved with project development and financing in North Dakota.
In terms of financing infrastructure development, one tool that political subdivisions may use choose to utilize is public-private partnerships, or "P3s". The state of ND allows for P3s to create an environment that allows the public sector (at its choosing) to have the private sector fulfill a particular infrastructure need. This historically allows for the most efficient solution for public infrastructure development to be identified and carried forward.
Look for more information on the conference in future News From the NDAOGPC newsletters. Presentations and other resources will be made available on the NDAOGPC website when they are released by conference organizers.
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Governor signals potential legal challenge to proposed EPA rules
- James MacPherson, Associated Press
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North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple on Wednesday signaled a potential legal challenge to proposed federal rules aimed at cutting carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants and oil refineries.
"We cannot jump to a much higher standard for CO2 overnight," the Republican governor said. "It simply is not possible. It's not attainable, and we will fight that with every tool that we have available."
The federal Environmental Protection Agency is crafting rules, part of a Climate Action Plan released by President Barack Obama last year, that would cap emissions at existing coal-fired power plants and set limits for emissions on all new coal plants.
"We have an opportunity to do some communicating at this key stage of the process that might just do some good," Dalrymple told the more than 100 officials in attendance, including some EPA representatives.
Click here to read more.
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ND Holds Eight of the Richest Counties in the Nation
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In this April's Governing magazine, eight North Dakota counties made the list of "America's Richest Counties" in terms of per capita personal income in 2012. Two of the eight, Steele and Wells counties, are not in the Bakken western region. Williams County is second in the country at $116,978 per capita personal income. New York County took the top post at $119,347. Other counties on the list of the top 25 included Slope, Billings, Dunn, Mountrail and McKenzie counties. The average per capita personal income nationally is $43,735.
The magazine also highlighted the divide between rural and urban. In about 1998, the income of a farmer and a city worker were about even. However, since 1999, their data from USDA Economic Research Service says that the farming income nationally has surpassed urban income and continues to have an upward trend.
Click here to read Liz Farmer's complete Governing magazine article.
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Truck driver charged with illegal oilfield dumping: Wyoming company could face more than $1M in penalties
- Amy Dalrymple, Forum News Service
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Criminal charges have been filed against a truck driver accused of illegally dumping oilfield waste in western North Dakota, and the trucking company he worked for could face more than $1 million in civil penalties, officials said Tuesday.
Leo Slemin, a driver with Black Hills Trucking of Wyoming, has been charged with a Class C felony for allegedly illegally dumping saltwater, a byproduct of oil production and an environmental hazard.
Black Hills Trucking faces potential fines from two state agencies for alleged repeat illegal dumping incidents and for hauling waste without a license since 2008.
In addition, the companies that hired Black Hills Trucking to haul their waste also could face penalties from the North Dakota Department of Health, said Dave Glatt, environmental health section chief.
Click here to read more.
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NDAOGPC Continues to Accept 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. Applicants should 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 .
Last year, the Association awarded a total of $10,000 to six deserving students. Don't miss this great opportunity to gain financial assistance for an industry related education! The deadline for application submission is June 15, 2014.
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Upcoming Events
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April 22-23, 2014
The MHA Nation's Annual Bakken Oil & Gas Expo will be held April 22 through 23 at the 4 Bears Event Center in New Town, ND. The Expo will feature a list of speakers including MHA Nation Chairman Tex Hall, U.S. Congressman Kevin Cramer, U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp, and ND State DOT Director Grant Levi. Major topics in the agenda, available here, include TERO, environmental protection, transportation, right of way, tribal flaring, and MHA Nation 'Peoples Fund' issues. More information on the Expo is available at www.mhabakkenexpo.com/.
April 24, 2014
The Vision West ND Consortium will hold its next meeting on April 24, 2014. The meeting will begin at 9:00 AM CDT and will be held at the Mountrail County Fair Building just south of Stanley. Two important things will happen at this meeting:
- The Regional Plan will be released. This is the Consortium's chance to see the final draft.
- Training on the Regional Plan will take place. It is imperative that all associated with Vision West ND be trained, as they will be mentioned in their local media and will be given the opportunity to speak about or be quoted on the plan. Training on how to answer questions from the media will also take place.
Vision West ND Consortium members are encouraged to let Deb Nelson know whether they will be at the meeting. She can be reached via email at deb@dlnconsulting.com or by phone at (701) 483-2801.
May 20-22, 2014
The 2014 Williston Basin Petroleum Conference will be held May 20-22, 2014 in Bismarck, ND. Booth space is sold out, but limited sponsorships are still available. The full agenda can be found here.You can register for the event by clicking here.
Limited hotel rooms remain in Bismarck, so please book your hotels as soon as possible. Hotel reservations can be made immediately here.
For more information regarding the conference, please visit www.wbpcnd.org or contact event coordinators at 701.223.6380 and ndpc@ndoil.org.
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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