2008 Resolutions
Annual Meeting Resolutions 08.111 08.112 08.113 08.114 08.115 08.116
IOGCC Resolutions
2008 Annual Meeting
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Supporting Congressional Appropriation for Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation under Provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005
WHEREAS, geological and geophysical data, such as rock cores, cuttings, samples, geophysical well logs, seismic records and other data, provide the basic framework information necessary to discover and develop the oil and gas and other energy resources of the United States; and,
WHEREAS, geological and geophysical data are used extensively in domestic exploration and production activities to develop prospects and design development programs; understand geologic and engineering characteristics and conditions of hydrocarbon reservoir rocks, source rocks, and related strata; and for other applications and purposes, and;
WHEREAS, there is significant long term benefit to the Nation and the states in the preservation of these data, as well as in ensuring that they are accessible for examination and study in support of discovery and development of the United States’ domestic oil and gas resources, thereby helping to ensure that American consumers have reliable and affordable supplies of oil and natural gas; and,
WHEREAS, nationwide, geological and geophysical data are in jeopardy owing to the general lack of adequate resources and facilities to catalog, document, archive, and make these important data available for use and study; and,
WHEREAS, most states, including the member states of the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC), have state agencies or entities, such as state geological surveys, that serve, or potentially serve, as repositories for geological and geophysical data; and,
WHEREAS, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 authorizes an appropriation of $30 million per year directed toward geological and geophysical data preservation by Federal government entities and the states; and,
WHEREAS, the Association of American State Geologists (AASG), along with other entities and organizations, is providing leadership in an effort to secure appropriations for the U.S. Congress to fund the Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation initiative at the authorized level; and,
WHEREAS, the IOGCC desires to express its strong support for the Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation initiative and to join the AASG and other entities and organizations in the effort to obtain Federal appropriations for this effort;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the IOGCC urges the Congress of the United States of America to appropriate funds to support the Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation initiative at its authorized level;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the IOGCC will support and assist the AASG and others in efforts to promote the Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation initiative and secure Congressional appropriations to fund the program.
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Urging The Continued Development Of An Effective National Energy Policy
WHEREAS, the United States of America is dependent on adequate, affordable energy supplies from diverse sources for continued economic stability and growth, national security, and maintenance and enhancement of its citizens’ quality of life; and
WHEREAS, domestically produced natural gas and oil are critical parts of the nation’s energy needs; and
WHEREAS, according to the Energy Information Administration’s latest estimate, the demand for clean-burning natural gas is projected to remain relatively steady through the year 2028; and
WHEREAS, volatile energy prices, as well as our nation’s dependence on approximately 67% of our oil from foreign sources have a detrimental effect on the U.S. economy and security; and
WHEREAS, funding for oil and natural gas research and development has been greatly reduced and, in some cases, eliminated, in both the private and governmental sectors, thereby curtailing activities and initiatives that lead to new technologies that positively impact domestic oil and natural gas exploration and production activities and result in additional supply and reserves; and
WHEREAS, a recent federal inventory of U.S. energy resources concluded that 60% of the onshore federal lands that have potential as domestic sources of oil and natural gas to meet our nation’s energy needs are presently closed for leasing, resulting in 62% of the oil and 41% of the natural gas being inaccessible for development; and
WHEREAS, the infrastructure necessary for the transportation of oil and natural gas from remote sources to the areas in which it is consumed is desperately lacking and needs federal support and funding,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission urges the President and Congress to continue to develop and adequately fund an enhanced national energy policy that will:
1. Provide access to federal lands, as appropriate under protocols of wise stewardship and compatible use, for the development of oil and gas resources utilizing technologies proven to be environmentally sound,
2. Support and encourage research and development of new technologies that benefit efficient and effective exploration and development for oil and natural gas resources,
3. Support enhancement of the infrastructure for the transportation of oil and natural gas in the United States,
4. Streamline, to the degree possible, the process used to approve oil and gas permitting in all federal agencies having authority to grant permits and approvals, and
5. Support each state’s rights to oversee the oil and natural gas regulatory process.
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Continuing Policy On The Issue Of Carbon Storage In Underground Geologic Formations
WHEREAS, although the science of climate change is evolving, there is significant and increasing interest within both industry and government in the capture and geologic storage of carbon dioxide (CO2); and
WHEREAS, the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC) in December 2002 established a Geological Sequestration Task Force and in October 2004 created the follow-up IOGCC Carbon Capture and Storage Task Force to examine the technical, policy, and regulatory issues related to safe and effective CO2 storage in the subsurface, whether for enhanced hydrocarbon recovery or for storage, and to prepare model regulatory guidelines concerning geologic storage to assist member states in regulating the injection and underground storage of CO2; and
WHEREAS, the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC) has published recommended regulatory and statutory guidelines on geologic storage of carbon ; and,
WHEREAS, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in consultation with IOGCC and the Ground Water Protection Council, has proposed draft rules for geologic storage of carbon under the Underground Injection Control (UIC) program; and,
WHEREAS, the long-term geological storage of CO2 has significant potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere; and
WHEREAS, the IOGCC desires to continue the efforts of the IOGCC Carbon Capture and Storage Task Force, the purpose of which will be to continue to facilitate coordination and cooperation among IOGCC member states, the EPA, the U.S. Department of Energy, the Association of American State Geologists, and other organizations with an interest in injection of CO2 into underground geologic formations, to further develop and refine public policy and the regulatory framework for geologic carbon capture and storage;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the IOGCC urges the U.S. Department of Energy, through its Carbon Sequestration Program, which has been instrumental in funding previous and current IOGCC regulatory projects on this subject, to continue to provide future support for continued initiatives promoting the development of rational and experience-based regulatory frameworks and infrastructure to enable development of safe and environmentally sound CO2 storage projects and transportation systems for CO2 transmission.
The IOGCC will continue to provide input to the EPA in development of rules for the geologic storage of CO2 and continue to collaborate with EPA, DOE, and others in the areas of policy and technology associated with CO2 storage.
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Identifying and Promoting Energy Manpower Needs
WHEREAS, the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC) is recognized as a national leader in identifying petroleum manpower needs; and
WHEREAS, the Petroleum Professionals Blue Ribbon Task Force convened by Governor John Hoeven developed recommendations for state, federal and industry actions; and
WHEREAS, the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC) publication Employment Growth: Oil Industry Focus, a step by step guide on how North Dakota state government and industry collaboration under the leadership of Governor John Hoeven found blue collar workers to fill vital energy industry positions; and
WHEREAS, a stable and adequate domestic petroleum workforce is critical to continued, environmentally sound development of natural gas and oil resources in the United States; and
WHEREAS, a stable and skilled domestic petroleum workforce is a key challenge to the industry at present and for the foreseeable future; and
WHEREAS, the need for an abundant, well trained workforce of professional and blue collar members has also been recognized by industry groups, educational institutions, and the states,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the IOGCC will continue the efforts identified by the Petroleum Professionals Blue Ribbon Task Force and in Employment Growth: Oil Industry Focus to include:
Develop strategies to further the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Task Force;
Support proposals to address the blue collar job needs of the domestic oil and gas industry; and
Encouraging the President and administration to work with the IOGCC in identifying and adopting solutions to the identified manpower problems.
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Requesting Funding for the Reclamation of Orphaned Well Sites
WHEREAS, the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission continues as a national leader in evaluating the role of government in the issue of orphaned wells and environmental protection; and
WHEREAS, the organization has thoroughly studied the issues associated with these wells, publishing its results in publications entitled “Produce or Plug: The Dilemma over the Nation’s Idle Oil and Natural Gas Wells (1992,1996, 2000);” and “Protecting Our Country’s Resources: The States’ Case (2008), and
WHEREAS, an unplugged abandoned well and its associated facilities can be a human hazard to health and safety; and
WHEREAS, the plugging of the nation’s orphaned wells is a large financial burden on the states, which have excellent programs to address the problem and there is currently no federal financial support; and
WHEREAS, there are further efforts the IOGCC can take to address the problems associated with orphaned wells, including encouragement and support of efforts by the federal government;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the IOGCC expresses its support of Congressional actions that facilitate the plugging reclamation of orphaned oil and gas well sites;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the IOGCC and its member states urge Congress to provide necessary funds for the reclamation of orphaned well sites.
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Encouraging the Full Funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund State Assistance Program
WHEREAS, the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) was created by Congress in 1964 to provide funds for acquisition or development of outdoor recreation areas and facilities for recreational use in perpetuity; and
WHEREAS, the LWCF is primarily funded from the sale or lease of offshore oil and gas resources and is administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior through the National Park Service; and
WHEREAS, the LWCF has had authorized funding of $900 million since 1978, but has funded grants at an amount far below that with a peak of $369 million in 1979 and only an apportionment of $23 million for FY 2008; and
WHEREAS, the LWCF is the main source of funds to purchase lands for outdoor recreation, and the history of the LWCF has been to protect a wide variety of forests, landscapes, and urban parks including recently the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in California with a matching grant from the Save the Redwoods League; and,
WHEREAS, the U.S. oil and gas industry is proud to have participated in and funded the protection of unique American vistas and lands, including urban parks for all U. S. citizens and residents to use;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission supports a vigorous LWCF program, including full funding of the LWCF using existing federal offshore lease sale resources, beginning in 2009.