Baucus Gives Support To Eastern Montana On Oil Impact Issues

U.S. Sen. Max Baucus, D-MT, held an energy jobs roundtable last Wednesday at the MSU Eastern Ag Research Station, Sidney. He was joined by USDA Rural Development Deputy Undersecretary Cheryl Cook, U.S. Small Business Administration leaders and other state officials in a call to action to support Eastern Montana in their struggles to solve oil impact issues.

Baucus explained that a multi-agency “one-stop-shop-” in Sidney has been established dedicated to the infrastructure and development needs Eastern Montana is facing. The multi-agency’s main purpose is to help local communities unlock federal resources to address the oil and gas boom.

Baucus announced that former Montana Department of Commerce Director Tony Preite will serve as the coordinator in the multi-agency to help oil-impacted areas find possible federal resources to address oil impacts.

Baucus is confident that Preite understands what federal programs will work in eastern Montana.

“Preite is innovative, creative and hardworking,” said State Rep. Walt McNutt, R-Sidney, “You couldn’t have picked a better guy for the position.”

This comes on the heels of a letter Baucus sent to President Obama in January urging support at the federal level to rural communities in the Bakken. Baucus pointed out in the letter that even though there are thousands of jobs available and tremendous growth in the Bakken, many local businesses and community leaders are facing difficulty in accessing federal resources.

Baucus encourages rural communities in the Bakken to get organized and use Preite to find solutions. Baucus mentioned establishing an Eastern Montana Development website which will feature information about the various federal programs available.

Baucus urged community leaders to get on board with the “one-stop-shop” agency developed for Eastern Montana communities looking for solutions to their oil impact issues.

“Tony has the long time experience to know just what entity to go to with each issue when asked,” stated Baucus.

Baucus also stated his support for Eastern Montana in that he might be able to secure additional funds for the oil-impacted areas. Baucus is a chairman of the subcommittee on transportation and infrastructure. He stated there’s no guarantee in that but there is an opportunity there.

Baucus also stressed his support with the suggestion that Eastern Montana seems to have been given the “short shift”.

“I work for you,” said Baucus, “Tell me what you want and I will do what I can.”

Community leaders discussed the challenges in dealing with the state of Montana such as schools having money taken away and the road issues in the area. Other concerns are that with many of the grants available, Richland County has been ineligible because the income is too high.

Baucus said he could talk to large oil company’s CEOs about providing some relief if there are specific funding needs. “I just worked on a rig today and I could give them (oil companies) a call, but I need you to help put some meat to the bones, not talk in abstracts. We love them, but they should have to share.”

Baucus offered a few suggestions after hearing oil-impacted issues faced by the city from Sidney Mayor Bret Smelser and by the school from Sidney Superintendent of Schools Daniel Farr.

The senator said since the state has a surplus, it seems to him that the areas should be receiving a larger share of oil monies. He again stresses that legislators are employees, and people should act like employers and get organized.

“Don’t let yourselves get divided and conquered,” Baucus said, “put your thinking caps on.”

The importance of getting organized and coordinated when dealing with legislators was stressed by McNutt. He suggested one goal in a long term solution could be to have some of the oil revenue not go into the general fund but rather into an oil-impact fund.

Baucus was in Culbertson earlier that day to announce the latest breakthroughs in his call to the White House to unleash every appropriate resource to assist with the infrastructure needs of Montana communities most impacted by the energy boom in the Bakken. Baucus and Cook announced a $1 million grant for the town of Culbertson’s wastewater system.

Baucus toured a rig site between Sidney and Culbertson while he was in the area. He discussed the challenges and opportunities facing energy producers.

Baucus also shared that Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson has accepted an invitation to visit Montana and meet with oil producers in the region to discuss the local impacts of EPA regulations.