Oil, gas permits rise with prices

With oil prices at record levels, Teton County is experiencing more oil and gas exploration in 2008 than it has in any year in the last quarter century. Read the entire story from the Great Falls Tribune.

Hunters, anglers urge reform of 1872 Mining Law

Hunting and angling groups, including 30 from Montana and four from Wyoming, are adding their voices to a growing chorus calling for reform of the 1872 Mining Law. Read the entire story from the Billings Gazette.

As gasoline nears $4 a gallon, Congress has questions about Big Oil's big profits

Senior executives of the five largest U.S. oil companies were to appear before a congressional committee Tuesday where they were likely to find frustrated lawmakers in no mood for small talk. The lawmakers were scheduled to hear from top executives of Exxon Mobil Corp., Shell Oil Co., BP America Inc., Chevron Corp. and ConocoPhillips, which together earned about $123 billion last year because of soaring oil and gasoline prices. Read AP article in Casper Star Tribune.

Energy company cedes its oil, gas leases along Front to Trout Unlimited

A fourth energy company has agreed to give its oil and gas development interests in a sensi­tive area of the Rocky Mountain Front to a conservation organiza­tion. Read the entire story from the Great Falls Tribune.

Coalbed methane wastewater policy approved

The federal Environmental Protection Agency has approved Montana's water quality policy that protects high-quality water from salty discharges from coalbed methane development. Read the entire story from the Billings Gazette.

Trout Unlimited acquires petroleum leases on Front

Another company has transferred federal energy leases to a conservation group, further reducing the possibility of natural-gas development on public lands along Montana’s wildlife-rich Rocky Mountain Front.  Read article at HelenaIR.

EPA approves Montana water standards

Montana adopted strict water quality standards over fears that coal-bed methane drilling in neighboring Wyoming could pollute interstate rivers. The Environmental Protection Agency approved the rules.  A federal lawsuit over the issues is pending in federal court in Wyoming. Read article at Casper Star Tribune.

Tester Calls for Better Oil & Gas Lease Process at Hunter & Angler Fundraiser

In the Hellgate Hunters and Anglers second annual Wild Night for Wildlife fundraising event featured address, Senator Jon Tester, D-Mont., said that a number of “big issues,” including rampant oil and gas development, global climate change, and restricted public hunting and fishing access to private land all threaten Montana’s hunting and fishing heritage. Read the entire story from the New West.

Company proposing testing for oil, gas potential near Lima

A Nevada energy company is planning to conduct seismic testing near Lima this year to determine the potential for oil and gas drilling.

BLM officials expressed concerns about the testing’s impacts on area wildlife, especially in spring and summer when Green River is proposing the work. Read the entire story from The Montana Standard.

'Contaminants are everywhere'

BILLINGS, Mont. -- Pesticides, heavy metals and other airborne contaminants are raining down on national parks across the West and into Alaska, turning up at sometimes dangerously high levels in lakes, plants and fish. Read the entire story from the Casper Star Tribune.