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CBNGA Coordinator’s statement on Montana SEIS
Billings, MT –March 27, 2007
Billings—The Coalbed Natural Gas Alliance today called for balance from the Bureau of Land Management in their Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement dealing with the development of coalbed natural gas in Southeast Montana.

“The SEIS recently put out for public comment by the BLM goes far beyond what the courts had asked of them and places ever more stringent and duplicative regulations on desperately needed economic development in Southeast Montana,” said Dustin Frost, Coordinator for the CBNGA. “These regulations appear to be an attempt by the BLM to shield themselves from potential lawsuits filed by organizations whose purpose is to prevent the development of coalbed natural gas. This is just plain wrong—threats of litigation should not dictate policies that affect people’s livelihoods.”

The Coalbed Natural Gas Alliance contends that BLM’s proposed alternative H goes far beyond the ruling of a 2003 court that required an analysis of phased development, water mitigation agreements, and the Tongue River Railroad. These additional restrictions could serve as an impediment to the responsible development of coalbed natural gas, a reliable, clean burning source of domestic energy.

“As a coalition of farmers, ranchers, industry employees and representatives, and community leaders, we’re asking the BLM to follow their multiple-use mandate and to recognize the domestic need for this precious energy source.” said Frost.

Members of the Coalbed Natural Gas Alliance will be attending this week’s public hearings throughout the state to voice their concerns over the BLM’s proposed Alternative H in the SEIS. The hearings are being held at the following times and locations:

Monday--March 26, 2007, Broadus, Community Center, 6-8 p.m.

Tuesday--March 27, 2007, Billings, Montana State University Billings, Student Union Building Ballroom, 6-8 p.m.

Wednesday--March 28, 2007, Hardin, Court House Board Room, 6-8 p.m.

Thursday--March 29, 2007, Lame Deer, Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church Meeting Room, 6-8 p.m.

Friday--March 30, 2007, Miles City, Miles City Community College, Rooms 106 & 107, 6-8 p.m.

While providing a clean burning source of energy for our country’s energy portfolio, the development of coalbed natural gas also provides farmers and ranchers in the Powder River Basin with a source of greatly needed water during the current drought. The Coalbed Natural Gas Alliance’s mission is to inform, educate and communicate accurate information about coalbed natural gas development within the Powder River Basin of Montana and Wyoming.