Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska Testimonies Highlight Pipeline Benefits
September 27: Glendive, MT & Lincoln, NE
Over 600 people met in Glendive, Montana for the Keystone XL pipeline hearing on Tuesday, September 27, 2011. Approximately 100 individuals offered testimony; testimony was overwhelmingly supportive of the pipeline, including Congressman Rehberg in person, a letter from Governor Schweitzer and Senator Tester. Local elected officials and advocates representing small business, labor, farming, ranching and landowners explained how Montana would benefit from the Keystone XL pipeline. Several individuals also noted the benefits to Montana and North Dakota energy development with the proposed Bakken feeder line and on-ramp. Members of the Partnership to Fuel America who attended and offered testimony included, Jon Bennion with the Montana Chamber of Commerce; Dave Galt, executive director of the Montana Petroleum Association; Richard Dunbar, president of the Montana Association of Oil, Gas and Coal Counties; and Mack Cole, chairman of Montanans for Responsible Energy Development.
Here are additional testimonies from Glendive, MT:
- Clip 1
- Clip 2
- Clip 3
On September 22, the Northern News Network aired an interview with PFA partner Dave Galt about the upcoming hearings. This interview aired across Montana as well as in Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota. Kelly Reid, a small business owner in Miles City was also interviewed by Glendive Broadcasting which broadcast the interview the day of the hearing, September 27.
A lively field hearing was held in downtown Lincoln, Nebraska at the Pershing Center on Tuesday, September 27. More than 900 people attended the 8 hour hearing and over 200 people signed up to speak. The Partnership to Fuel America had two testifiers including Mark Whitehead, president of the Nebraska Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association (the sixth speaker), and Patrick Bonnett, owner of Encore Financial Services Inc. (the eighth speaker). In addition to testifying at the hearing in Lincoln, Mark Whitehead was interviewed on KFAB radio during the TomFinancial Services Inc. (the eighth speaker). In addition to testifying at the hearing in Lincoln, Mark Whitehead was interviewed on KFAB radio during the Tom Becka show on September 28.
September 29: Pierre, SD & Atkinson, NE
The South Dakota Partnership to Fuel America had seven partners present to testify at the State Department Hearing in Pierre, South Dakota. These partners included: Blaise Emerson, executive director of Black Hills Economic Development; Ben Snow, president of Rapid City Economic Development Partnership; Jim Doolittle, a local ranch owner and former executive director of Black Hills Economic Development; Karen Wagner, a local ranch owner and Belle Fourche City Council member; John Meyer, a small business owner and former president of the SD Retailers Association; Myron Rau, executive director of the SD Trucking Association; and David Owen, president of the SD Chamber of Commerce. One additional partner, Michelle Brich with the SD Innkeepers Association, submitted her written testimony directly to the State Department. The PFA had the first five speaking slots out of over 100 testifiers at the hearing. Prior to the hearing, three of the PFA partners spoke with local media outlets. Ben Snow did an interview with KOTA - ABC out of Rapid City, Blaise Emerson did an interview with KSFY - ABC out of Sioux Falls and Jim Doolittle spoke with the local AP reporter.
In Atkinson, Nebraska over 1000 people jammed into the gym with over 150 people signing up to speak at the 6 hour hearing at the local High School. The third person to testify in Atkinson was John McCollister, executive director of the Platte Institute for Economic Research which is a partner of Partnership to Fuel America. There was an agreement ahead of time that one pro and one con speaker would alternate testifying. Testimony was evenly split for about 4 hours before the remaining 2 hours, which was primarily the opposing side.
“The ND Hospitality Association has joined the Partnership to Fuel America because we believe the development of North American energy, like North Dakota oil and Canadian oil sands, clearly benefits North Dakota. Hotels, and all local businesses have felt the benefits of a thriving oil industry in North Dakota. Tapping North American energy resources helps our state, our nation, and pumps millions of dollars into local and state economies.”
