Commissioner From State Speaks On Pipeline Impact
A commissioner from Fallon County was one of the guest speakers when national Republicans conducted the “Where Are The Jobs” Forum on Friday, April 16.
The forum featured House Committee on Natural Resources Republicans. The primary topic was how President Biden’s executive orders and policies have impacted energy and U.S. natural resources. The actions have included the cancellation of the Keystone XL Pipeline.
Fallon County Commissioner Steve Baldwin spoke as the guest of U.S. Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont.
“Montana knows first hand how detrimental President Biden’s reckless actions are,” Rosendale said while introducing Baldwin. Baldwin noted how the Fallon County depends on natural resources. “Agriculture is our backbone, but if we don’t have natural resources, we couldn’t make it,” he said.
He explained how the revenue benefits the area’s critical access hospital, schools and road work. He added that natural resources provides jobs for skilled workers including small businesses.
Baldwin said he has seen the booms and busts of the oil industry for 62 years. “We’re depended on it,” he said of the industry.
Rosendale said the cancellation of the pipeline has cost a lost of about $7 million in tax revenue to the 1,700 people of Fallon County.
Baldwin said local investments have included sewer, water and 57 acres for work force access. There was an investment of millions for a proposed on-ramp in the county.
“Sixty jobs to us is like thousands in the cities,” Baldwin said. “Everything is affected. Everybody gets hit. It’s an never-ending beast.”
Another testimony came from Luther Hoffman, project manager of Target Hospitality. He noted how the cancellation of the Keystone pipeline has resulted in lost jobs.
Hoffman compared Biden’s action to a person building half of a house and then having his permit taken away. “I don’t think it’s legally correct. I don’t think it’s right,” Hoffman said.
Ingo Reimer, CEO of Berg Pipe in Alabama, said the business has went from employing 666 individuals in January to currently having only 147 employees.
Reimer said the decreased workload isn’t only because of Biden’s order but also because oil companies have refused to build newer pipelines. He notes pipelines are the safest method for transporting natural resources.
He added he understands the importance of having wind energy, but the implementation can’t take place overnight.
Legislators said the purpose of the forum was to educate the public and the Biden Administration.
