Great Plains Energy Corridor

Regulatory, Conservation Efforts to Step Up in Oil Patch

Great Plains Energy Corridor — Fri, 26 Sep 2014 13:34:20 +0000

State regulators and state and federal conservation officials spoke to energy industry representatives at the North Dakota Petroleum Council annual meeting this week and cited the need for increased communication efforts between all affected parties in the state’s oil patch. The speakers said that regulators and conservation practitioners need to be more proactive in the oil patch. The Health Department’s Environmental Health Section Chief Dave Glatt said companies who routinely violate regulations will be targeted for on-the-ground inspection. Read more in Prairie Business Magazine.

The post Regulatory, Conservation Efforts to Step Up in Oil Patch appeared first on Great Plains Energy Corridor.

Comment Period Extended on Proposed EPA Rules

Great Plains Energy Corridor — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 14:32:20 +0000

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has extended the comment period on proposed 111 (d) guidelines that would put in place new carbon dioxide requirements for existing power plants. The agency granted a 45-day extension and will accept comments on the Clean Power Plan proposed rule until December 1, 2014. Click here to learn more about submitting comments. Read more in the Bismarck Tribune.

The post Comment Period Extended on Proposed EPA Rules appeared first on Great Plains Energy Corridor.

First Tribal Exploration & Production Company Up and Running

Great Plains Energy Corridor — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 14:30:36 +0000

The first Indian Reservation oil and gas exploration and production company – Missouri River Resources – is set to drill their first four wells. The company’s production and exploration efforts are being led by Three Affiliated Tribes member David Williams, who has twenty years of experience in the oil industry and also teaches classes at Fort Berthold Community College. Company officials say that access to resources and capital have been challenges in getting the company off the ground. Read more in the Bakken Magazine.

The post First Tribal Exploration & Production Company Up and Running appeared first on Great Plains Energy Corridor.

“Surge” Fund Proposed by Western Legislators

Great Plains Energy Corridor — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 14:29:53 +0000

A group of western North Dakota state legislators is proposing to tap the state’s Strategic Investment & Improvement Fund to establish a new $800 million “Surge” fund to help oil patch political subdivisions, cities and schools. The legislators pointed to the ongoing and urgent needs in oil patch communities. Legislative leaders are also expected to release a plan to adjust the oil tax distribution formula to so that additional revenue flows to local oil patch entities. Read more in the Dickinson Press.

The post “Surge” Fund Proposed by Western Legislators appeared first on Great Plains Energy Corridor.

Study Shows ND Could Produce 2 Million Barrels Per Day by 2019

Great Plains Energy Corridor — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 14:29:05 +0000

The state legislature’s interim Energy Development & Transmission Committee received a final report on a legislatively-commissioned study of the future of the oil and gas industry this week. The study was conducted by engineering firm KLJ and shows potential for North Dakota to produce 2 million barrels of oil per day by 2019. Study authors say addressing housing and public infrastructure needs in the oil patch will be critical to ensure increased production levels. Read more in the Dickinson Press.

The post Study Shows ND Could Produce 2 Million Barrels Per Day by 2019 appeared first on Great Plains Energy Corridor.

USDA Raises Forecast for Corn Crop

Great Plains Energy Corridor — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 13:28:28 +0000

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) increased the forecast for this year’s corn crop to an expected record 14.395 billion bushel crop. The ethanol industry is projected to use 5.125 billion bushels of this year’s crop, holding steady from last year’s numbers. If the projected crop estimates are accurate, 2014 will set the 5th record corn production level in the last twelve years. The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed to reduce the 2014 renewable fuel standard volumes by more than 1 million gallons. Read more in Ethanol Producer Magazine.

The post USDA Raises Forecast for Corn Crop appeared first on Great Plains Energy Corridor.

Statoil Expands Natural Gas Project

Great Plains Energy Corridor — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 13:27:26 +0000

Norwegian energy company Statoil is planning to expand a natural gas capture project in the state, aiming to have all six of the company’s drilling rigs powered by captured natural gas that has been compressed and cleaned. Statoil is partnering with General Electric and Ferus Natural Gas Fuels on the project. Statoil is hoping that the project expansion will reduce company flaring by 3-5 percent. Read more in the Bismarck Tribune.

The post Statoil Expands Natural Gas Project appeared first on Great Plains Energy Corridor.

American Petroleum Institute Releases Survey on Oil & Gas Economic Impact

Great Plains Energy Corridor — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 13:26:22 +0000

The American Petroleum Institute (API) released results of a business survey conducted by PriceWaterhouseCoopers to determine the economic impact of the oil and gas industry. Survey results showed that oil and gas accounts 12.3 percent of North Dakota’s economy and directly provides 12 percent of jobs in the state. Total jobs supported by the oil and gas industry are projected to grow to more than 114,000 in the state by 2020. Read more in The Bakken Magazine.

The post American Petroleum Institute Releases Survey on Oil & Gas Economic Impact appeared first on Great Plains Energy Corridor.

Oil Patch Still Facing Affordable Housing Woes

Great Plains Energy Corridor — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 13:25:20 +0000

The Dakota Center for Affordable Housing hosted a forum this week highlighting issues surrounding affordable housing in North Dakota. A national study conducted earlier this year showed that Williston had the highest apartment rental rates in the country. Conference speakers said that they expect problems related to affordable housing to get worse before they get better, especially in the oil patch. State figures show that more than 15,000 additional housing units will be needed in North Dakota next year, with more than 12,000 of those located in the oil patch. Read more in Prairie Business Magazine.

The post Oil Patch Still Facing Affordable Housing Woes appeared first on Great Plains Energy Corridor.

Proposed Pipeline Comes Under Fire

Great Plains Energy Corridor — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 14:09:22 +0000

A 1,100 mile pipeline project proposed by Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners LP is already drawing criticism in Iowa. Company spokespeople say they intend to file a siting application with the North Dakota Public Service Commission later this year. The pipeline would originate in North Dakota and travel through South Dakota and Iowa before reaching its final destination in Illinois. The North Dakota Pipeline Authority projects pipeline capacity of more than 1.5 million barrels per day in 2016, if all proposed projects are completed. Read more in the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

The post Proposed Pipeline Comes Under Fire appeared first on Great Plains Energy Corridor.