2010
Group: Survey shows ill health in Wyoming 'fracking' zone – Powder River Basin Resource Council and EARTHWORKS release a survey showing residents report respiratory problems from gas drilling. (Casper Star-Tribune, August 19, 2010)
Luca drops Safe Drinking Water exemption request – Powder River Basin Resource Council protested the exemption because of a lack of assurance the water in coal aquifers would be safe for domestic use with Luca’s nutrient injections. (Casper Star-Tribune, July 14, 2010)
MDU rate case meeting draws comments on conservation – Dakota Resource Council members question utility’s investments in clean energy and conservation programs. (Bismarck Tribune, July 13, 2010)
Rulison blast site decision leave some ‘cautiously optimistic’ – Western Colorado Congress believes decision may lead to landowners say in whether gas drilling takes place or not. (Glenwood Springs Post Independent, June 27, 2010)
Judge rejects water evaporation – Northern Plains gains ruling that letting coalbed methane water evaporate violates Montana’s constitution. (Billings Gazette, May 5, 2010)
Group appeals coal lease based on reclamation concerns – Powder River Basin Resource Council appeals coal lease plan. (Casper Star-Tribune, May 5, 2010)
State delays fracking rules decision – Powder River members testify on need for disclosure and access to information. (Casper Star-Tribune, April 13, 2010)
Concern raised over GMO flax from Canada – Dakota Resource Council wants “stop-sale” order and quarantine on Canadian flax seed. (Farm & Ranch Guide, April 9, 2010)
Agency considers rewrite of oil, gas rules – Good step but more needs to be done, according to the Powder River Basin Resource Council. (Billings Gazette, March 26, 2010)
Williams cited again for CBM water spills in Wyo. – Company does not care says the Powder River Basin Resource Council (Casper Star-Tribune, March 3, 2010)
Doherty named adviser to Salazar - Former Northern Plains Resource Council community organizer Steve Doherty is a senior adviser to the Secretary of the Interior. (Helena Independent Record, January 30, 2010)
Judge upholds Colorado gas, oil waste disposal rules – Western Colorado Congress welcomes decision upholding rules on how oil and gas companies can dispose of waste. (Aspen Times, January 21, 2010)
2009
Lawsuit would permit citizens to talk to the COGCC – Western Colorado Congress wants citizens to be able to talk directly to oil and gas regulators. (Glenwood Springs Post Independent, December 3, 2009)
Pressure’s on to modify CBM water regs - Powder River Basin Resource Council participates in working group on discharge of coalbed methane water. (Casper Star-Tribune, December 3, 2009)
Food bill frightens farmers – Senate food safety bill questioned by Oregon Rural Action. (The East Oregonian, November 29, 2009)
Groups debate rules on pathogen drift – Idaho Rural Council continues push for pathogen drift rulemaking. (Times-News, November 26, 2009)
Land Board delays action on leasing Otter Creek coal tract – Northern Plains opposes strip mining coal tracts and proposed railroad. (Helena Independent Record, November 17, 2009)
SD ranchers voice concerns about Keystone pipeline – Dakota Rural Action members tell state agency their concerns about tar sands oil spills and damage to land, water, and roads. (Associated Press, November 4, 2009)
South Heart coal project back in court – Dakota Resource Council challenges discriminatory and illegal spot zoning for coal-drying plant. (The Bismarck Tribune, October 30, 2009)
Rulemaking to begin on pathogen drift – State agency agrees to begin rulemaking process requested by Idaho Rural Council to address pathogen drift from dairy lagoons. (Capital Press, October 24, 2009)
Wyoming DEQ drops proposed coalbed methane water rules – Delay in setting new rules concerns Powder River Basin Resource Council. (Casper Star-Tribune, September 24, 2009)
Land Board hears arguments on Otter Creek coals, as state officials prepare bid draft – Northern Plains leader says leasing coal now would be an “irretrievable mistake.” (Billings Gazette, September 21, 2009)
Activists want to meet with county about gas industry – Western Colorado Congress will talk with county commissioners about potential groundwater pollution in Garfield County from hydraulic fracturing. (Glenwood Springs Post Independent, August 31, 2009)
Frack chemical contamination – Action by Powder River Basin Resource Council leads to EPA investigation of 11 polluted wells around Pavillion. (The River Reporter, August 20, 2009)
Group: GBM drains water – Powder River Basin Resource Council says data shows groundwater drawdown from coalbed methane development exceeds predictions. (Casper Star-Tribune, August 19, 2009)
Energy plant 'dead in the water' – Judge agrees with Dakota Resource Council that coal-drying plant did not gain approval from nearby landowners as required by county ordinance. (The Dickinson Press, July 24, 2009)
Battle brews over gas regulations in Battlement Mesa – Western Colorado Congress local chapter seeks 1,000 feet setbacks from well pads for homes and other buildings. (The Colorado Independent, July 23, 2009)
Little room for elk? – Threat to Fortification Creek elk herd from coalbed methane drilling plan concerns the Powder River Basin Resource Council. (Casper Star-Tribune, July 21, 2009)
State environmental groups ask Obama to intervene in roadless area management – Western Colorado Congress teams with other groups get involved in disputes about roadless forests in western Colorado. (Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, June 11, 2009)
Group: Wyo DEQ an embarrassment – Powder River Chairman says agency issues permits allowing too much sodium and salt in coalbed methane discharge water for agricultural use. (Associated Press, Casper Star-Tribune, June 2, 2009)
Machado dairy loses second appeal – Idaho Rural Council beats dairy expansion because of setback restrictions. (Times-News, May 30, 2009)
DRA today: Focused on food – Dakota Rural Action encourages local food by publishing new edition of South Dakota Local Foods Directory. (The Brookings Register, April 22, 2009)
Group: Recall Permits – Powder River Basin Resource Councils asked agency to recall water discharge permits issued based on flawed formula and bogus science. (Casper Star-Tribune, April 20, 2009)
Groups say carbon summit may not have big picture – Dakota Resource Council said possible taxes on carbon dioxide emissions is opportunity to develop alternative and renewable energy resources in North Dakota. (The Dickinson Press, April 17, 2009)
Study: Aquifers hurt by drilling – Hydrologist’s study supports contention by Northern Plains that coalbed methane development in southeastern Montana would lower aquifers and groundwater flows. (Billings Gazette, April 14, 2009)
Charm of farm lures families – Dakota Rural Action’s Farm Beginning program and member Arie McFarlen are part of the story on small farms in South Dakota. (Sioux Falls Argus Leader, March 30, 2009)
Energy firms try to grasp new rules – Western Colorado Congress president Gretchen Nicholoff thanks lawmakers for new common-sense protections balancing public health and the environment with energy development. (Grand Junction Sentinel, March 28, 2009)
Brady Trucking fight goes to court - Western Colorado Congress members challenge decision to disqualify signatures to petition seeking to overturn zoning decision along Colorado River. (Grand Junction Sentinel, March 1, 2009)
Panel mulls co-op’s rate request – Powder River Basin Resource Council and local chapter protest 20% base rate increase. (Billings Gazette, January 30, 2009)
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