By Lindsey Scheetz
KULR-TV
updated 2:45 p.m. AKT, Sun., March. 7, 2010
BILLINGS - Montana could be one step closer to gaining access to nearly 2,000 miles of oil pipeline expansion running from Canada to the Gulf Coast, access that could have a huge impact on Montana's oil industry. Montana and North Dakota's governors tried to convince a Canadian company to allow regional oil companies access to the pipeline planned through the treasure state. Keystone Pipeline Company "TransCanada" originally rejected the idea for a so-called "on-ramp" for Montana and North Dakota producers. But, at Wednesday's meeting, the company appeared to change its tune. "We believe we now can provide a competitive solution. It wasn't that we weren't interested before but when people went and looked at our solution it was too expensive." TransCanada vice president Robert Jones said he now believes an on-ramp is possible. Both Montana and North Dakota governors say that's important. "Trans Canada is building this huge pipeline that will contain about 4% of all the oil we consume in this country," said Governor Brian Schweitzer, "and we want to make sure that Montana producers can get their oil on that pipe line so they can get it to market." "Right now just between Montana and North Dakota we're producing about three-hundred thousand barrels a day," North Dakota Governor, John Hoeven said, "and we have to get that to market. This is about our states cooperating together with the pipeline companies." Cooperation Schweitzer said could boost the state's economy. "It means new jobs, more jobs in eastern Montana, high paying jobs and more tax revenue to the state of Montana. Assuring that there won't be taxes going up for the rest of the citizens." Jones estimates 1000 jobs will be required each year to build the pipeline in Montana. Jobs he said will be available when the Montana portion of the pipeline begins construction by the start of next year. TransCanada will take a preliminary survey to discover how many Montana oil companies are interested in an on-ramp. The company said it hopes to have the pipeline fully operational by 2013.
Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35699202/ns/local_news-billings_mt/
KULR-TV
updated 2:45 p.m. AKT, Sun., March. 7, 2010
BILLINGS - Montana could be one step closer to gaining access to nearly 2,000 miles of oil pipeline expansion running from Canada to the Gulf Coast, access that could have a huge impact on Montana's oil industry. Montana and North Dakota's governors tried to convince a Canadian company to allow regional oil companies access to the pipeline planned through the treasure state. Keystone Pipeline Company "TransCanada" originally rejected the idea for a so-called "on-ramp" for Montana and North Dakota producers. But, at Wednesday's meeting, the company appeared to change its tune. "We believe we now can provide a competitive solution. It wasn't that we weren't interested before but when people went and looked at our solution it was too expensive." TransCanada vice president Robert Jones said he now believes an on-ramp is possible. Both Montana and North Dakota governors say that's important. "Trans Canada is building this huge pipeline that will contain about 4% of all the oil we consume in this country," said Governor Brian Schweitzer, "and we want to make sure that Montana producers can get their oil on that pipe line so they can get it to market." "Right now just between Montana and North Dakota we're producing about three-hundred thousand barrels a day," North Dakota Governor, John Hoeven said, "and we have to get that to market. This is about our states cooperating together with the pipeline companies." Cooperation Schweitzer said could boost the state's economy. "It means new jobs, more jobs in eastern Montana, high paying jobs and more tax revenue to the state of Montana. Assuring that there won't be taxes going up for the rest of the citizens." Jones estimates 1000 jobs will be required each year to build the pipeline in Montana. Jobs he said will be available when the Montana portion of the pipeline begins construction by the start of next year. TransCanada will take a preliminary survey to discover how many Montana oil companies are interested in an on-ramp. The company said it hopes to have the pipeline fully operational by 2013.
Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35699202/ns/local_news-billings_mt/
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