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NEWSMinutes of Annual Meeting - June 28, 2007Colstrip, Montana 8:11 am. Meeting was called to order by Chairman Mack Cole. He asked attendees to introduce themselves. Attendees
Approval of MinutesVice chairman Gary Forrester reviewed the discussions of the last meeting in Miles City. No additions were made. Financial ReportJudy Cole reported bank balance of $9,085.72. She said that individual memberships have been slow but that there was response after the last newsletter mailing. She hopes there is similar response when the next newsletter goes out. In response to question about the amount of dues, the levels were listed. -- $500.00 for large companies; $75.00 for businesses; and $20.00 for individuals which includes family memberships at the same address. Judy Cole added that that the biggest expense has been the newsletter which cost $128.66 for printing, plus about $100.00 for postage. Printing of membership envelopes was $64.00. She asked for articles for the next newsletter. Comments from the Chairman and Vice Chairman: Vice chairman Gary Forrester stated his observation that MRED relies too much on volunteer staffing. He said that the organization needs to pay some one so the organization does not stall as it has done in the past. Chairman Mack Cole expressed his goal to get like groups to work more together. He added that Citizens for Resource Development (CFRD) and MRED are cross members of one another, and he keeps in contact with the officers of CFRD. He cited the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Montana Outdoor Magazine article regarding sage grouse and oil and gas development as something to which MRED and other pro-energy development groups should respond with facts. Issues DiscussionEvan Barrett replied to Mack Cole's call for response to the Montana FWP Montana Outdoor Magazine sage grouse article saying that coalbed methane is problematic and that the sage grouse impacts cannot be denied. He added that the desire is to move forward on facts, not ideology. Further discussion of sage grouse and wildlife response to energy development projects followed. Gary Forrester added a report of the Western Governors' Association meeting session that discussed and set action goals regarding energy development and wildlife. Mack Cole asked how can MRED bring forward information about energy development and wildlife protection or enhancement successes? Getting information out on studies whose data show no, minimal, or mitigatable impacts on wildlife habitat, was suggested. Duane Ankney cautioned that such information should not be presented in a manner that is too complicated, keep it simple. Gary Forrester asked particular attendees "How can MRED work better [with the Governor's office of economic development; with the county commissioners; with Congressman Rehberg]?" Evan Barrett recommended following the MEDA (Montana Economic Development Assn.) model. Gary Matthews said the large area of the state makes communications and coordination essential. Mike Waite described how information that comes to Cong. Rehberg's office is disseminated. Legislative ReportGary Forrester handed out a "2007 Legislative Summary" document (copy attached), and orally reported on a few of the bills of particular interest to MRED. Alan Olsen and Evan Barrett added observations. Gary Matthews asked if there were plans to work on the energy development impact issue in the interim. Duane Ankney responded, yes. Chairman Mack Cole called for a recess until the following day, June 29, 2007. He said the meeting would reconvene at 8:00 am at the SE Montana Development office. Minutes of Annual Meeting - June 29, 2007Colstrip, Montana 8:15 am. Chairman Mack Cole called the meeting back to order. Attendees
Chairman Mack Cole asked Willie Duffield, executive director of the Montana Association of Oil, Gas, and Coal Counties (MAOGCC), for a report of MAOGCC annual meeting June 20, 2007. Willie Duffield addressed vetoed energy impact bills and federal legislation on mineral royalty distribution. He stated the next MAOGCC meeting would be in conjunction with the Montana Association of Counties meeting in Great Falls in September. Election of OfficersAlan Olson moved to retain the current officers - Mack Cole, chairman, and Gary Forrester, vice chairman. Gail Abercrombie seconded the motion. Alan Olson said that he believed that the current chairman and vice chairman have done well and are a good balance. Motion approved unanimously. Alan Olson moved the nomination of Gail Abercrombie for secretary/treasurer. Mike Fladeland seconded the motion. Information was provided that Joan Stahl, the previous secretary/treasurer, has family obligations that preclude her retaining the secretary/treasurer position or serving on the board. Motion approved unanimously. A letter to Joan Stahl from the Board thanking her for her service was requested. Additions to the BoardMack Cole reported that Pat Campbell, a labor representative, has a different job and will not be able to serve on the board. Discussion of a replacement culminated in a motion by Evan Barrett to nominate Dan Flynn to the MRED board - commensurate with Dan Flynn's agreeing to serve. Alan Olsen seconded the motion. Motion approved unanimously. Evan Barrett said that he would speak with Dan Flynn about the board position. Issues DiscussionLegislative interim study of carbon sequestration was raised by Alan Olsen. He and Evan Barrett noted that such a study is not currently assigned to any of the interim committees. Alan Olsen said that there would be a motion to include carbon sequestration in the work plan of the Energy & Telecommunications Interim Committee. Evan Barrett added that if none of the committees take up carbon sequestration, the governor may get something organized to look at it. Mack Cole said that MRED could get out information as it becomes available. Evan Barrett recommended that PPL Montana share what they are doing along the lines of their research and investigations into possibilities for carbon sequestration. Terry Beartusk reported on activities of the Association for the Advancement of Indigenous Resources. He said there were educational forums on coalbed methane so the tribe could make an informed decision on a November ballot initiative supporting coalbed natural gas development. Despite the initiative's failure of the initiative, he believes the current council members may be amenable to looking at coalbed natural gas development. He said help was anticipated from the Southern Ute tribe, which has coalbed natural gas production on their reservation. Help would be both monetary and planning. He said a coal initiative on the November ballot did pass. The economic development association has delegated to another group to develop a protocol for interacting with coal project developers. Evan Barrett reviewed the energy economic development assignments for the 4 new positions in the Dept. of Commerce that were approved by the 2007 legislature. Next MeetingAlan Olsen recommended MRED's board meet in Helena on the morning of July 11, the day after the Energy & Telecommunications Interim Committee meeting. Mack Cole will set the exact time and place and will notify the board. Evan Barrett suggested asking MDU to provide a phone bridge so the board could meet by phone every other month. 10:15 am. Meeting adjourned Home | News | Mission and Goals | Useful Links | Join Us | Contact Us Montanans for Responsible Energy Development
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