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Eastern Montana group for responsible natural resource and energy development is forming

A number of elected State and local officials, community leaders, business people and
other interested parties met this past week to discuss the problems and opportunities
associated with natural resource development in Eastern Montana.

Development is badly
needed to improve our local economy and communities. Eastern Montana’s decline in
population and poor economic conditions has put our rural communities on the endangered
list. The group of approximately 30 individuals determined that there is a need to form a
natural resource and energy development coalition that would be advocates for responsible
development. A steering committee is being formed to begin drafting a framework under
which the group will organize to promote responsible energy projects in eastern Montana.

The group felt strongly that Eastern Montana residents are very supportive of responsible
development of our natural resources including coal, ethanol, bio-diesel, solar, water,
oil, coal bed methane, natural gas and wind energy. It was also acknowledged that several
environmental groups are operating in Montana and they are generally making it very
difficult to develop or add value to any of our natural resources.

It is time for the
silent majority to come together and speak up for responsible development. It is apparent
that they need to take a strong position in favor of responsible energy projects, both to
create jobs and economic activity to help save our communities as well as to help bring a
balanced approach to the process. Although we must do more value added agriculture,
agriculture alone can not bring our areas back to prosperity and stability.

The group decided to reconvene on September 17th to finalize goals and objectives and
work to put in place a formal organization, membership package and operating plan.

The
meeting is scheduled for 5:00 PM in room 106 at the Miles Community College in Miles City.
Membership will be inexpensive and will offer individuals and associations the opportunity
to support responsible energy development at the local, state and national levels. We
hope that this group will gain the support of the grassroots of our area and will span and
represent all of Eastern Montana.

The group wants to work with responsible environmental
advocates and everyone to support responsible natural resource and economic development.
Together, by doing some responsible development of our strongest assets, we can provide
good jobs and tax base to support and strengthen our communities, schools and economy.

Tod Kasten [email protected]

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