Dakota Resource Council Lauds Senator Heitkamp on Rejection of Methane Rule Repeal
Real Disappointment with Senator Hoeven
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 10, 2017
CONTACT:
Nicole Donaghy, nicole@drcinfo.com, 701-202-0927
In a long-awaited vote to disapprove Obama-era environmental rules, today the Senate fell short on revoking the Bureau of Land Management’s venting, flaring, and leak rule to reduce methane emissions from oil and gas production. The vote to move forward stalled at a 49-51 vote.
“The people of Fort Berthold are severely impacted by oil and gas extraction. We need safeguards that will protect our finite resources and clean air, water, and land. I thank Senator Heitkamp for voting to protect our people and future generations.” Said Lisa DeVille, president of Fort Berthold POWER, an affiliate of Dakota Resource council.
The rule, finalized by President Barack Obama in his last weeks in office, updated 30-year-old regulations that govern flaring, venting and natural gas leaks from oil and gas production. His administration said the rule could avoid wasting up to 41 billion cubic feet (BCF) of natural gas per year.
Last month Three Affiliated Tribes business council and Standing Rock Sioux Tribe publicly announced support for the rule. Despite tribal support, Senator Hoeven, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs pushed for the rule to be repealed.
“We are very disappointed that Hoeven is willing to forego the ability for tribes to protect their sovereignty and allow extraction companies a free pass to waste. It’s obvious Hoeven is influenced by the energy industry and is willing to protect their interest first.” said DeVille. “We thank Senator Heitkamp for her commitment to our tribes and the people of North Dakota.”
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