Idaho House Bill 64 Exploits Idaho Resources and Rights

Idaho gasland residents need your legislative input!  At 12:30 pm PST/1:30 pm MST on Tuesday, February 7, in Room EW40, downstairs and on the east side of the Idaho Capitol, near Sixth Street in downtown Boise, the House Resources and Conservation Committee will consider House Bill 64, proposed by the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL), the proverbial fox not only guarding but designing the hen house of state and citizen fossil fuel resources and rights, as acknowledged by Citizens Allied for Integrity and Accountability (CAIA) at a recent hearing on another industry-friendly, IDL bill [1].  HB 64 would amend Idaho code regulating IDL-issued permits to drill or treat (frack, acidize, etc.) oil and gas wells, integration (forced pooling) of the tracts of mineral owners who do not willingly sign oil and gas leases, and administrative hearings on oil and gas integration disputes [2].

IDL director Tom Schultz will undoubtedly extol the benefits of House Bill 64 in his presentation before House Resources and Conservation Committee members, who are responsible for studying all information about this proposed law, available from research, statements, testimony, and hearings, to determine its scope and effects.  Thus, CAIA and Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT) are calling for your input of crucial counterpoints, as Idahoans defending citizen rights to health, safety, and property.

Please consider and support the following CAIA and WIRT concerns about and suggested changes to HB 64, and write, call, or testify to the Idaho legislators of your district and of this House committee, via their following email addresses, phone numbers, or in person, to share your comments soon [3].  In the lower left corner of the main Idaho Legislature web page, enter your street address and zip code under Who’s My Legislator? and click Find [4].  The photos of your legislators that appear will lead to their email and phone contact information.  The Legislative Services Office Information Center at idleginfo@lso.idaho.gov and 208-332-1000 can also assist your input.  When calling legislators or the information center, state and spell your name and your organizational affiliation.  Listen to IDL and legislator discussion of House Bill 64 though the audio recording of the committee hearing at 12:30 pm PST/1:30 pm MST on February 7 [5].

Urge your legislative and House resources committee members to support the following changes to House Bill 64, regulating the actions of the oil and gas industry in Idaho, responsible state agencies, and impacted citizens: Continue reading →