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Wyoming, Montana differ on energy
GILLETTE -- Although
Wyoming proudly boasts a surging energy economy that provides 65 percent
of the state government's revenue, not all of its neighbors are looking in
with envious eyes.A number of Montanans have recently regarded Wyoming's energy wealth as merely fools' gold compared to the riches it could have if it took more ownership of its natural resources and made conservation a thriving business, too. "For some of us here, Wyoming isn't ahead of the economic curve -- they're behind it. Montana has matured with regard to conservation and a caution toward headlong development," said Pat Williams, senior fellow at the Center for the Rocky Mountain West in Missoula, Mont. Williams, a Butte, Mont., native and former school teacher, served nine terms as a Democratic congressional representative for Montana. He and a large number of Montanans scoffed when Wyoming's all-Republican delegation recently warned Montana officials to back off from a proposed rule change regarding the coalbed methane industry that straddles both states in the Powder River Basin. Officials in both states have been at odds over a proposal before the Montana Board of Environmental Review to force the industry to either reinject the produced water or clean it up so that it is palatable for downstream irrigators in Montana. The Montana panel is scheduled to meet Thursday in Helena, Mont. Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal's argument against the proposal was echoed by the state's congressional delegation in its letter to Montana officials, asserting the proposed environmental rules "lack scientific basis, pose a serious threat to energy supply, have questionable legal basis, and threaten ongoing cooperative efforts." The letter did little to persuade Montana officials, but for many it did highlight what they perceive as a divide in philosophy toward energy development between the two states. "Wyoming is land barons and energy boys, and they make up Wyoming's political gentry," Williams said. "Montana is much more diverse in its politics and has a long, deep respect for conservation and labor unions." Williams said Montanans came to resent environmental and political abuses of the past. In 1971, the Montana Environmental Policy Act was passed into law, establishing some of the most stringent environmental regulations in the nation. Williams said it reflected a new attitude among Montanans that industrial development need not happen at the expense of its people and environment. "We long ago recognized that to be a world-class hunting and fishing paradise, the state had to do everything it could to protect habitat, calving grounds, spawning grounds," Williams said. "If that means giving up a 10-year gold mine, we'd do it in a heartbeat." But only 23 percent of Wyoming residents believe they have sacrificed their outdoor paradise for energy development, according to a recent Casper Star-Tribune survey. "I think we are environmentally friendly. We take care of our pristine wilderness and protect our outdoors. And I think we also see the value of energy," said Campbell County rancher Joanne Tweedy. Tweedy and her husband, Chuck, were among some of the first ranchers to host coalbed methane development when the industry erupted onto the scene here in the late 1990s. As for Montana's pending rule change regarding coalbed methane water, Tweedy said she thinks her Montana counterparts are trying to tell Wyoming how to conduct its business. Because Montana is the downstream state, the rules could in fact extend the standards across the border into Wyoming. "I disagree that they are more politically diverse and we are more controlled by the energy industry," Tweedy said. "I think they are more controlled by the environmental persuasion and we are open for business in Wyoming." Copyright © 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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redistributed. Published on Tuesday, March 21, 2006. Copyright © The Billings Gazette, a division of Lee Enterprises. Current rating: 
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The comments below are from readers of billingsgazette.com and in no way represent the views of The Billings Gazette or Lee Enterprises. Dismay wrote on March 21, 2006 12:21 PM:"Former Congressman Pat Williams never did understand eastern Montana. It is obvious he still doesn't. The average wages here compare with the national poverty level. But by gosh, old Pat doesn't want to see those darn "energy boys" around here to change this sad fact. Even the most basic laborer on an oil & gas rig earns 50% more than the average Montana wage. Montana has 3 times the coal that Wyoming does yet Montana produces 25% of what they do. Pat William's progressive vision is starving us. We need to get off our duff and make use of our strengths." Robin wrote on March 21, 2006 12:01 PM:"So we sit here with the lowest wage base in the entire nation. Our natural resources could change all that if people would open their eyes!" Mark wrote on March 21, 2006 11:15 AM:"Once again the environmentalist don't want us to have a diverse econonmy. They want Montana to live off of "eco-tourism" which only has one problem: When the times are bad expendable money for tourism/entertainment is the first expense to cut especially with rising gas prices. " Booneyrat wrote on March 21, 2006 10:14 AM:"The cowboy state is full of carpetbaggers. They then turn into land barons and greedy oil & gas thieves." shelly wrote on March 21, 2006 9:47 AM:"Pat Williams is one of the reasons Montana Power sold its cheap Generation, the people's repblican of montana liberals wanted it to be sold below COST, when will the SOCIALIST learn? (I bet he gets paid well at the research center!)"  |
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