Candy billionaire fights energy industry push in Montana. Judge rules against candy billionaire in fight over drilling

A reclusive billionaire whose family owns the Mars candy empire is emerging as a formidable opponent to the energy industry’s development plans in southeastern Montana.

Forrest E. Mars Jr., the former chief executive of Mars Inc., owns a sprawling ranch along Montana’s Tongue River – directly in the sights of companies hoping to tap the area’s extensive coal and natural gas reserves.

Through his previously undisclosed ownership of the 82,000-acre Diamond Cross ranch, Mars is bringing his fortune to bear on the side of ranchers and conservationists trying to curb the companies’ ambitions. Mars is worth an estimated $14 billion.

By Matthew Brown
ASSOCIATED PRESS

Full Story: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20080107-1201-wst-candyversuscoal.html

***

Judge rules against candy billionaire in fight over drilling

By MATTHEW BROWN
Associated Press Writer

The Mars candy billions proved not enough in state court Tuesday, as a judge said a Wyoming company has the right to drill for natural gas beneath Forrest Mars’ sprawling southeastern Montana ranch.

Drilling is expected to begin within days.

Full Story: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/W/WST_CANDY_VERSUS_COAL_MTOL-?SITE=MTKFB&SECTION=STATE&TEMPLATE=ap_template_style4.html