2005 News Items

Press Releases, Publications, and Reports from 2005

Water Beyond Methane initiated 8/2/05

The Montana Board of Environmental Review has voted to move forward with Water Beyond Methane, a proposal aimed at protecting Montana's water supplies in the face of coal bed methane extraction.

Middle ground offered in methane case 7/11/05

Under a compromise offered today by Northern Plains Resource Council, a coal bed methane extraction company could keep producing methane gas from 85 federal wells recently declared illegal.

Court orders BLM to redo methane study 6/7/05

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will have to start from scratch in studying potential damages to water supplies, landowners, air quality, and wildlife caused by a coal bed methane extraction project in southeastern Montana.

Water Beyond Methane submitted 6/1/05

A broad coalition of farmers, ranchers, and conservationists has asked Montana's Board of Environmental Review to adopt the Water Beyond Methane proposal, a rule aimed at protecting groundwater and freshwater from irresponsible coal bed methane extraction.

9th Circuit issues methane permit stay 5/31/05

A three-judge panel within the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals granted a temporary stay on new coal bed methane drilling permits in southeastern Montana today. The injunction on new permits will stand until the full Ninth Circuit considers a recent District Court ruling that allows expansion of methane extraction in Montana despite invalidation of an analysis of the development’s impacts.

Supreme Court upholds beef checkoff 5/23/05

Cattle ranchers may be surprised to learn that the beef checkoff program they've been funding since 1988 is actually run by the United States government and is considered "government speech," exempt from protections afforded to U.S. citizens under the First Amendment.

Country-of-origin labeling bill passes 4/13/05

The House gave final approval to the Montana Country-of-Origin Labeling Act (HB 406) today with a third reading vote of 80 to 20. The bill, which is supported by the Schweitzer Administration, now heads to the Governor’s office to be signed into law.

Court allows drilling despite invalid study 4/5/05

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) can continue to permit coal bed methane wells while redrafting an invalidated statewide environmental impact statement (EIS), according to a ruling issued today by U.S. Magistrate Richard Anderson.

Agencies asked to rescind methane approval 3/3/05

Northern Plains sent letters to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and Montana Board of Oil and Gas Conservation late yesterday, asking both agencies to rescind approval of the Coal Creek coal bed methane expansion project until U.S. Magistrate Richard Anderson determines whether to place an injunction on drilling in the Powder River Basin.

Border closure prompts calls for COOL 3/2/05

Todays federal court hearing regarding efforts to keep the U.S. border closed to live Canadian cattle prompted renewed calls for passage of the Montana Country of Origin Labeling Act. The bill, which passed out of the House Agriculture Committee, has yet to be voted on by the Senate.

Court rejects Montana methane study 2/25/05

A U.S. District Court ruled that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) failed to analyze reasonable options to minimize the environmental impacts of coal bed methane development, and that the agency’s authorization of unlimited methane development violates the National Environmental Policy Act and therefore must be revisited.

Reclamation/jobs bill introduced in MT Senate 1/31/05

A bill that would clarify reclamation and bonding requirements for coal bed methane drilling – and create jobs in the process – was introduced in the Montana Senate Friday. The Coal Bed Methane Reclamation Act (SB 336), sponsored by Sen. Lane Larson (D-Billings), would require methane operators to post bonds and submit reclamation plans with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality.

Landowner bill introduced with bipartisan support 1/21/05

A bill that would require coal bed methane operators to give landowners 45 days’ notice before entering their private land was introduced yesterday in the Montana Senate with bipartisan backing.

Report documents biotech's assault on farmers 1/13/05

A study released today meticulously documents one biotech company’s use of U.S. patent laws to control staple crop seeds.

Irrigators criticize methane plan 1/12/05

A decision to approve a coal bed methane project without honoring the public’s right to comment has angered Montana’s irrigators and conservationists. In a letter sent to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Montana Board of Oil and Gas Conservation (BOGC) today, a coalition of irrigation and conservation groups criticized the agencies for obstructing citizens’ ability to ensure methane is developed responsibly in Montana.