Use of directional drilling increases dramatically in county and state – Western Colorado Congress supports trend towards directional drilling. (Glenwood Springs Post Independent, December 29, 2007)
Methane water: Some want to use it, others want to lose it – Powder River’s Ed Swartz says dumping too much coalbed methane water is harmful. (Gillette News-Record, December 30, 2007)
Industry: Action is ‘fair’ – Decision on waste groundwater is too little, too late, says landowner Nancy Sorenson of the Powder River Basin Resource Council. (Casper Star-Tribune, December 14, 2007)
Nine voices, nine views — Duke Cox voices the views of Western Colorado Congress in a discussion of Colorado’s oil and gas tax policy. (Rocky Mountain News, December 12, 2007)
Formerly on fringe, group now driving environmental change – Western Colorado Congress featured on front page of Denver Post. (Denver Post, December 5, 2007)
Board eyes changes in rules for CBM water — Powder River Basin Resource Council pushes for tightened standards for coalbed methane discharge water. (Billings Gazette, December 5, 2007)
Kranz:
Trade vote draws protests – Representative's vote Peru
trade pact disappoints Dakota Rural Action.
(Argus Leader, November 16, 2007)
2007
energy bill holds promise for ag families – Northern
Plains member urges Senate to support for oil and gas reforms.
(Billings Gazette, November 10, 2007)
Settlement
would protect Tongue from CBM water – Northern Plains urges
state to negotiate for better protection for streams. (Billings
Gazette, November 5, 2007)
Energy Bill is a Win-Win for Landowners – Dakota Resource Council commentary urges support for bill to protect landowners and water resources from oil and gas drilling. (Bismarck Tribune, October 28, 2007)
Conservation group condemns Dry Fork pollution permit – Powder River Basin Resource Council says “Wyoming seems determined to stay in the Dark Ages.” (Casper Star-Tribune, October 20, 2007)
Head of state oil, gas panel resigns – Western Colorado Congress reacts to resignation. (Rocky Mountain News, October 19, 2007)
Federal board OKs final segment of Tongue River Railroad – Northern Plains chairman calls railroad a bad idea. (Billings Gazette, October 10, 2007)
Drainages retain protection – Powder River Basin Resource Council wins protection for aquatic life on three tributary drainages of Crazy Woman Creek. (Casper Star-Tribune, October 8, 2007)
Add biodiesel to city’s fuel supply – Commentary by Northern Plains member urges citycouncil to use biodiesel in the city’s vehicle fleet. (Billings Gazette, October 8, 2007)
Strand shows biodiesel machine – The Dakota Resource Council demonstrates small-scale biodiesel in Jamestown workshop. (Daily News, September 24, 2007)
North Dakota reviewing effects of oil wastewater – Dakota Resource Council concerned about use of oil well wastewater to deice roads. (Bismarck Tribune, September 20, 2007)
Harvest Celebration Report – The Powder River Basin Resource Council held its 2nd Annual Harvest Celebration featuring local meat, poultry and produce. (Sheridan Media, audio report, September 16, 2007)
In Colorado, drilling some holes in the Republican base – Western Colorado Congress members are interviewed in an analysis of the effects of Bush administration’s push for energy development on politics. (Washington Post, September 16, 2007)
Environmental concerns arise close to home for Paonia health analyst – Zoology and toxicology researcher to speak to WCC’s Grand Valley Citizens Alliance on potential impacts of natural gas development on local water and air. (Post Independent, August 27, 2007)
“No one is neutral” in water fight – Powder River’s Ed Swartz and Northern Plains’ Roger Muggli featured in series about coalbed methane water. (Denver Post, August 12, 2007)
Big Sky feedlot hearing postponed – Idaho Rural Council challenges public comment deadline for hearing on controversial feedlot near national monument (The Times-News, August 6, 2007)
Resurrected land – Ed Swartz recalls the signing of stripmining law in a Rose Garden ceremony 30 years ago. (Gillette News Record, July 29, 2007)
Tax committee hears public comments – The Western Colorado Congress tells committee that dealing with energy boom impacts is priority for severance tax allocation. (Glenwood Springs Post Independent, July 25, 2007)
A Guide To Local Produce – Dakota Rural Action will release its new directory of local grown food this fall. (Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan, July 21)
‘Seismic shift’ seen on oil, gas commission – Colorado governor appoints two members of the Western Colorado Congress, Tracy Haupt and Rich Alward, to the commission. (Rocky Mountain News, July 13, 2007)
Don’t
let water ruling set dangerous precedent – Northern Plains
chair urges governor to protect senior water rights. (Billings
Gazette, July 8, 2007)
Group
urges conservation of coal-bed methane water – Powder
River Basin Resource Council wants industry to do more to conserve
water. (Billings Gazette, June 22, 2007)
Welt doesn’t ask for recount – Western Colorado Congress member wins seat on co-op board in close election. (Montrose Daily Press, June 20, 2007)
North Dakota continues to deny global warming – Dakota Resource Council member says political influence clouds debate over state’s coal industry. (Grand Forks Herald, June 17, 2007)
It’s a big plot: Community garden soon to be reality near municipal ballpark – Project by Dakota Resource Council’s local chapter turning into garden plots. (Bismarck Tribune, June 14, 2007)
Just
who is Josh Penry representing? – Chairman of Western
Colorado Congress Challenges state senator’s assertions
in opinion piece on oil and gas. (Grand Junction
Free Press, June 8, 2007)
North
Dakota myopia again distorts the impacts of CO2 – Dakota
Resource Council member comments on shortsighted views on coal
power plant emissions. (In-Forum, June 8,
2007)
Smart money’s on biofuels, not coal-to-liquid fuel – Commentary by Mark Fix, Chairman of the Northern Plains Resource Council.
(Billings Gazette, May 26, 2007)
Group appeals gov’s veto – Powder River Basin Resource Council challenges decision to veto new rules on coalbed methane water discharges.
(Casper Star-Tribune, May 23 2007)
DMEA candidates weigh in on charged issues – Western Colorado Congress member runs for seat on rural electric cooperative board. (Daily Press, May 18, 2007)
Bike easily beats car in city race – Yellowstone Valley Citizens Council holds car-bike-pedestrian race as part of Bike, Walk, Bus Week. (Billings Gazette, May 17, 2007)
Groups
appeal drilling plan – Powder River says coalbed methane
plan would harm rare prairie elk herd. (Casper
Star-Tribune, May 10, 2007)
Residents voice concerns on drilling – Western Colorado
Congress member urges stronger inspection and enforcement of proposed
gas drilling on Grand Mesa. (The Daily Sentinel,
May 10, 2007)
Groups
appeal drilling plan – Powder River says coalbed methane
plan would harm rare prairie elk herd. (Casper
Star-Tribune, May 10, 2007)
North Dakota considers legal fund to protect lignite industry
– Dakota
Resource Council questions proposal to fund defense of coal
industry in potential lawsuit. (Grand Forks
Herald, April 8, 2007)
DNRC
officer issues opinion on CBM water – Recommendation
against shipping CBM water to Wyoming pleases Northern Plains.
(Billings Gazette, April 7, 2007)
Meter
bill generates support – Western Colorado Congress and others
urge Colorado Senate to pass net metering bill. (Daily
Press News, April 6, 2007)
Legislators seek compromise on rules for drilling industry – Western Colorado Congress ‘does not buy’ industry’s misgivings about proposed changes to oil and gas commission. (The Daily Sentinel, April 5, 2007)
Agency gathers comments on CBM – Northern Plains calls Bureau of Land Management coalbed methane development proposal “inadequate.” (Billings Gazette, March 28, 2007)
Montana Senate moves to kill “fast track” – Northern Plains member Helen Waller supports Montana resolution telling congressional delegation to oppose fast track extension. (Missoula Independent, March 8, 2007)
Dakota Resource Council gains review of the effects on the aquifer by a plan to drill water wells for industrial use. (Williston Herald, March 2, 2007)
Silt couple selling 110-acre ranch – Gas drilling on and near their property contributes to decision by Western Colorado Congress members to sell.
(The Daily Sentinel, Feb. 26)
Group says use of waster was likely illegal – Dakota Resource Council questions deicing roads with salty oil field waste water. (Bismarck Tribune, Feb. 21, 2007)
WCC member runs for Durango City Council.
(The Durango Herald, Feb. 22, 2007)
Farmers, CBM drillers at odds over discharge – Northern Plains' member Roger Muggli discusses damage to his alfalfa fields from coalbed methane discharge.
(Billings Gazette, Feb. 17, 2007)
Powder River gains protections for landowners from CBM water damage. (Billings Gazette, Feb. 17, 2007)
House passes reclamation bill – Dakota Resource Council’s Tom Irgens grateful on passage of a bill strengthening oil field reclamation law. (Minot Daily News, Feb. 17, 2007)
Dakota Rural Action supports
bill to speed up labeling.
(Yankton Press & Dakotan, Feb. 8, 2007)
Western Colorado Congress- Powder River Chair Bob LeResche takes after bureaucrat for threats over coal-bed methane water rule.
(Casper Star-Tribune Feb. 2, 2007) – Northern Plains challenges legislation letting energy projects proceed with less legal or public review.
Sun power spins sounds at Mesa State – WeCan and Western Colorado Congress celebrate unveiling of solar panels powering campus radio station.
(The Daily Sentinel, Jan. 31, 2007)
Northern Plains Chair Mark Fix
comments on coalbed methane industry attack on water rights.
(Helena Independent-Record, Jan. 22, 2007)
Dakota Resource Council
urges lawmakers to require oil companies to notify all surface owners and tenants within one mile of well site.
(Bismarck Tribune, Jan. 19, 2007)
State must regulate CBM water, council told – Wyoming Environmental Quality Council holds hearing on petition from the Powder River Basin Resource Council
(Casper Star-Tribune, Jan. 18)
Northern Plains and irrigators challenge coalbed water permits. (Billings Gazette, Jan. 18, 2007)
Western Colorado Congress seeks answers on oil shale development. (Grand Junction Sentinel, Jan. 7, 2007)
Who called us NIMBYs? – Commentary on private property condemnation by Powder River members Donley and Nancy Darnell. (Casper Star-Tribune, Dec. 31, 2006)
We deserve more than false choices – Powder River chairman Bob LeResche comments on the need for environmentally sound coalbed methane development. (Casper Star-Tribune, Dec. 23, 2006)
Air quality decision leaves Western Slope with lower standards – Decision to toughen standards only on Front Range puzzles Western Colorado Congress. (Daily Herald, Dec. 18)
Oregon Rural Action sponsors presentationon solar hot water heaters.
(Baker City Herald, Dec. 6)
Gas firm to citizens: Trust us on watershed – But residents are skeptical about company’s plan to drill for gas in municipal watersheds for Palisade and Grand Junction. (Grand Junction Sentinel Dec. 6, 2006)
Clark Residents Worry Windsor’s Luck Won’t Hold – Windblown hut damages wellheads, causing release of fluids and gases. (Powder River Basin Resource Council news release, Nov. 30, 2006)
Let Wyoming’s Environmental Quality Council do its job on Powder River Basin Resource Council’s CBM water management petition. (Casper Star-Tribune editorial, Nov. 19, 2006)
Consumers urged to learn about the food they eat - Cattle producer Mike Callicrate delivers keynote address at Dakota Resource Council annual meeting. (Farm and Ranch Guide, Nov. 10, 2006)
Western Colorado Congress passes city watershed ordinance - Western Colorado Congress and Concerned Citizen's Alliance gain water protections from effects of gas drilling. (Western Organizing Review, Oct. 2006) (pdf 73k)
When a gas pipeline blows, you get out fast- Deb Thomas, an organizer for the Powder River Basin Resource Council, writes about the evacuation of her home and community after a gas well blowout in Clark, Wyoming. (High Country News, Oct. 16, 2006)
WCC lobbies commissioners on air quality- Colorado is considering new regulations onair quality in the oil and gas industry, and Western Colorado Congress sought Montrose County’s support Monday. (Montrose Daily Press Oct. 17, 2006)
