FORUM NEWS
Women's and Family Shelter gets impromptu $20K Mother's Day donation
Sam Tallis, president of an oil and gas exploration company working in the Bakken Shale, hopes a donation he recently to help Montana families in need will act at as a challenge to other large companies and corporations coming into the area. 
Hydraulic Fracturing Unfamiliar Term
The University of Texas at Austin Energy Poll revealed that 64% of Americans were either not familiar with, or had never heard of the term "hydraulic fracturing" (sometimes called "fracking").
David Ignatius: Economists optimistic on U.S. energy future
With so much talk these days of America's decline, it may sound strange to ponder the prospects for an American economic boom a decade or so from now. But that's the thrust of two new studies, which have me thinking like Dr. Pangloss, Voltaire's caricature of optimism.
These analyses predict the repair of two of America's greatest economic vulnerabilities in recent times -- dependence on foreign energy, with the threats of supply disruption, and the decline of the manufacturing sector in the face of lower-cost foreign competition. Both problems are on the way to being reversed, the analysts argue.
Montana needs long-term highway bill now
As contractors, we rely on predictability and certainty to grow our businesses.
Without a long-term plan to rebuild our infrastructure, contractors like us won't be able to put more Montanans to work upgrading our roads and bridges. Without a long-term extension, we can't sign new contracts, hire more workers or plan for the future.
New Pipeline Application Received from TransCanada
The State Department has received a new application from TransCanada Corp. for a proposed pipeline that would run from the Canadian border to connect to an existing pipeline in Steele City, Nebraska.
Interior Department sets rules for gas drilling on public lands
The Obama administration said Friday it will for the first time require companies drilling for oil and natural gas on public and Indian lands to publicly disclose chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing operations.
Schweitzer bullish on 2013 Keystone pipeline construction
Gov. Brian Schweitzer is hoping for construction to start in early 2013 on the Keystone XL pipeline after a recent meeting with its builders.
ConocoPhillips officially splits up
ConocoPhillips, the world's fourth largest refiner, officially splits in two on Tuesday by spinning off all of its refineries, including in Billings.
