Citizens, industry craft compromises on gas extraction rules

Energy development is among the most contentious of land use disputes. It’s easy to find examples of environmentalists, neighbors, officials and energy companies fighting over proposals to develop natural gas, wind, hydro, nuclear, solar and other power sources.

Everyone wants similar things, however. We all want safe, affordable energy. We all want a clean environment. We all want the good-paying jobs that go with energy production.

Sometimes, circumstances and factions align to bring sparring sides to the table and craft an agreement. In my company’s work with Halliburton, I am pleased to have been involved in crafting a set of rules for natural gas extraction in Idaho. As the Idaho Statesman reports, the Idaho Oil and Gas Commission approved these rules earlier this week. Representatives of the oil and gas industry, environmentalists, local governments and several residents of Payette and Washington counties all worked together to craft the rules.

In a nutshell, the rules call for a 15-day period for public comments for drilling and well extraction; bonding requiring $10,000 plus an additional dollar for every foot drilled; notification to owners of surface rights within 60 days in advance of drilling, and a $5,000 bond to cover lost agricultural income and lost value in improvements.

The controversy over natural gas extraction in Payette County has been very contentious. But I think these rules represent a clear consensus by the natural gas industry, the environmental community and local governments on what is needed to state rules.

We applaud the Department of Lands for conducting an excellent rulemaking process.  We look forward to improving these rules once we have the benefit of operational experience in the field.

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