Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter
By Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter and House Speaker Scott Bedke
Legislation working its way through the Capitol in the 2017 session’s waning days would provide Idaho, as a relatively new producer of oil and gas, with the protections and expertise it needs to safely and responsibly nurture and regulate this emerging industry.
House Bill 301, also called the Landowner Bill of Rights, brings Idaho’s oil and gas laws up to industry standards used in such petroleum-producing states as Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah. Separately, Senate Bill 1099 addresses Idaho’s lack of technical and legal expertise in developing up-to-date regulations for the industry while protecting Idaho property owners. It creates the position of Oil and Gas Administrator within the Idaho Department of Lands and requires the new administrator to have at least ten years of industry experience.
Discovery of oil and gas deposits in southwestern Idaho brings the potential for renewed prosperity for local citizens and a shot in the arm for the area’s economy. It will come in the form of direct leasing and royalty payments to individuals and new business ventures providing good-paying jobs that will bring new revenue to support city and county services. That gives us plenty of reason to support oil and gas development in Idaho.
As with any new and unfamiliar industry, getting it right involves a sharp learning curve. It’s as if Idaho is trying to get its arms around simple arithmetic while the industry elsewhere is working on calculus.
The good news is that Idaho is finally catching up by seeking assistance from experts in other states and the State Oil and Gas Regulatory Exchange (SOGRE), a partnership of the Interstate Oil and Gas Commission and the Groundwater Protection Council. SOGRE’s recommendations are included in House Bill 301.
Work on this proposal started last summer when it became apparent that – left to our own devices – we were making little progress toward solving such serious issues as metering, reporting, spacing of drilling units, and public transparency. It became clear to us that legislation would be needed to move the issue forward.
That legislation started taking shape early in the session through our work with Idaho Department of Lands Director Tom Schultz, the chairmen of the House and Senate Resource committees, legislators from the area where oil and gas production already is taking place, and experts from other oil and gas producing states.
House Bill 301 creates a new commission to include three technical experts, the Idaho Department of Lands director, and a county commissioner from a producing county. The Department of Lands’ Oil and Gas administrator would serve as commission secretary. The measure also clarifies definitions and production and sales reporting requirements, and provides protections for surface landowners, penalties for producer noncompliance, and public internet access to related documents.
No piece of legislation is ever perfect. However, House Bill 301 is a step in the right direction for an industry that could provide big benefits for Idaho – if we do this right.
