Montana Leaders talk through effects of Bakken boom

In a conference room in the Yellowstone River Inn here on the edge of the Bakken oil boom, community leaders from around the region gathered Wednesday to talk about how to deal with that boom.

John Brewer, president of the Billings Area Chamber of Commerce, set the stage by telling the 30 attendees that "we’re really in the epicenter of national politics and the world economy."

There was some talk about reaping the benefits of the Bakken, but much of the discussion centered on dealing successfully with all its impacts on local governments, schools, traditional culture and social services.

"The Bakken" refers to an oil-bearing formation that stretches across the Williston Basin of western North Dakota, northeastern Montana and patches of two Canadian provinces. With recoverable reserves estimated in the billions of barrels thanks to advances in drilling technology, the boom is on.

By ED KEMMICK [email protected]

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