Governor Addresses Oil and Gas Group

Billings, Montana – Governor Freudenthal says environmental
compliance and worker safety need to move to the forefront as the
oil and gas industry continues to grow in the West.
The governor spoke today (Monday) at a meeting of the Interstate
Oil and Gas Conservation Commission in Billings, Montana.
Freudenthal is the commission's current chairman. He says the
historical role of the group should be expanded to recognize the
importance of environmental compliance.
Freudenthal encouraged energy companies to make the public aware
of their efforts to balance development with environmental
protection and develop new technologies.
He says the public stands to benefit from resolving the ongoing
crude oil price differential that has many producers in Wyoming and
neighboring states receiving less on the market for their crude oil
than producers elsewhere.
Freudenthal has established a task force to look into the issue.