Monthly Archives: January 2015

Billings Gazette Editorial: Landowners deserve protection before drilling starts

Posted on January 30, 2015 by davidjkatz

Published January 29, 2015 Most Montanans support responsible energy development, valuing clean air, water and land as well as the oil and gas that powers our travel and heats our homes. Where we often disagree is on the definition of … Continue reading →

Poplar Pipeline spill another reminder that we need to keep fighting for the long-term sustainability of our communities

Posted on January 22, 2015 by davidjkatz

The Poplar Pipeline spill Last Saturday’s massive pipeline break and oil spill in the Poplar Pipeline near Glendive is a disaster that has leaked carcinogens into the Yellowstone River and left Glendive’s residents without water. It is another in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Fracking informaation | Tagged Bridger Pipeline LLC, Keystone XL, oil spill, Poplar Pipeline, Silvertip Pipeline, Yellowstone River | 6 Comments

Pennsylvania trade secret rule in jeopardy, thanks to one committed physician

Posted on January 21, 2015 by davidjkatz

We’ve often discussed how state laws are tilted in favor of oil and gas companies, but some laws are so outrageous they need to be held up to special public scrutiny. When such laws are passed, it becomes a civic … Continue reading →

Posted in Fracking informaation, Uncategorized | Tagged doctor gag rule, Dr Alfonso Rodriguez, non-disclosure, Pennsylvania | Leave a comment

Tuesday, January 20 in Red Lodge: screening of Backyard, plus panel of well-known environmental activists from Wyoming and Montana

Posted on January 19, 2015 by davidjkatz

Backyard screening and panel discussion An interesting and timely event coming up this Tuesday, January 20 at the Pollard Hotel in Red Lodge at 7pm — a screening of the short documentary film Backyard by Bozeman filmmaker Deia Schlosberg, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Community Organization, Fracking Information | Tagged Bonnie Martinell, Community Empowerment Project, Deia Schlosberg, Fracking, Gloria Flora, John Fenton, Montana, National Resource Defense Council, Pollard Hotel | 1 Comment

Commissioners action in denying Silvertip Zone clearly illegal (video)

Posted on January 16, 2015 by davidjkatz

When the Carbon County Commissioners acted last Thursday to rescind their motion to go forward on the Silvertip Zone because of landowner protests, they chose to ignore a recent Montana Supreme Court decision that clearly makes such protests illegal. You … Continue reading →

Posted in Community Organization | Tagged Carbon County Commissioners, John Prinkki, Silvertip zone, Williams v Missoula County Commissioners, zoning protests | 3 Comments

Unbelievable. Carbon County Commissioners defy will of majority to deny Silvertip Zone.

Posted on January 15, 2015 by davidjkatz

In a stunning reversal that ignored the will of the majority for the opinion of a small minority, the Carbon County Commissioners today withdrew their motion to accept the petitions to form the Silvertip Zone. The Commissioners had voted on … Continue reading →

Posted in Community Organization, Politics and History | Tagged Carbon County Commissioners, citizen initiated zoning, Silvertip zone | 17 Comments

A personal story: Kelly, Shrewsbury Township, Pennsylvania

Posted on January 14, 2015 by davidjkatz

This personal story is one of a series on Preserve the Beartooth Front chronicling the impact of the oil and gas boom on the lives of people all over North America. You can see other personal stories in our series by … Continue reading →

Posted in Fracking Information | Tagged Kelly, leasing, Pennsylvania, personal stories, Responsible Drilling Alliance, Shrewsbury Township | 3 Comments

Please attend: Carbon County Commissioners Meeting Thursday, January 15

Posted on January 13, 2015 by davidjkatz

The final step in the process of establishing the Silvertip Zone occurs this Thursday, January 15, at the next Carbon County Commissioners meeting. The meeting will be held at the County Administration Building at 17 West 11th Street in Red Lodge, … Continue reading →

Posted in Community Organization, Politics and History | Tagged Carbon County Commissioners, Carbon County Growth Policy, citizen initiated zoning, Silvertip zone | 1 Comment

The price of oil: drilling will continue for now, but we need to keep our eyes on the future

Posted on January 12, 2015 by davidjkatz

The price of oil has collapsed since fall. One result is the steep decline of the price of gas at the pump. When I first looked at falling prices on November 10, the pump price was $2.97 in Red Lodge … Continue reading →

Posted in Fracking informaation | Tagged Baker-Hughes, fixed costs, Fortune Magazine, gas prices, oil prices, OPEC, Rystad Energy, Shawn Tully, variable costs | 3 Comments

Guest post: Keystone XL supporters making misleading claims

Posted on January 9, 2015 by davidjkatz

By Paul Seamans and Darrell Garoutte The following post appeared on January 8 in The Hungry Horse News, a weekly newspaper that covers the community of Columbia Falls, Glacier National Park and the Flathead Valley. Paul Seamans is the former … Continue reading →

Posted in Fracking Information | Tagged easements, eminent domain, Keystone XL, tar sands | Leave a comment