Montana Energy Forum

The Montana Energy Forum held in Sidney last Wednesday and Thursday brought oil and gas development interests from Manitoba, Canada together with local businesses and officials. The group toured the area and visited various facilities connected to the oil field. They also had the opportunity to meet with representatives from local businesses and discuss mutual benefits of doing business together.

At the luncheon held on Wednesday, local veterans and their spouses were special guests and were recognized for their service by several speakers.

Arnie Sherman of the Montana World Trade Center opened the program with an explanation of the intense relationship between Montana and Manitoba. He then had the guests from Manitoba introduce themselves and discuss the company they represented. The contingency from Manitoba came looking for investment and business opportunities as well as distributors for their products. Companies included everything from an Aluminum fabricator to a Welding supply company.

Speakers also included Scott Smith, president of the International Pipe Fitters and Plumbers Association who spoke on the importance of approving the Keystone XL Pipeline. He had high praise for TransCanada and highlighted the need for energy and jobs in the US. If the U.S. does not approve the pipeline, Canada may choose to pipe the oil elsewhere, such as China with its dismal air quality history. "No other country will do it as clean as we will, " he said. The benefit for the Bakken would be a main lateral to refine its product in America. He estimated 5000 actual construction jobs would come with the project and said it is critical we follow through with this project. He urged everyone to send letters to their senators and everyone else, from the bottom to the top. "We've gotta get this project going," he stated. "There are four things we need: energy, exports, energy independence and jobs."

Montana Lieutenant Governor John Walsh also greeted the crowd and expressed the Montana administration's support for the oil and gas industry. He also emphasized that "Montana is open for business."