ND Farmers Sues Over Saltwater Spills; ND Government "Regulators" In Court To Support Oil Companies

[hatrack]

DICKINSON, N.D. -- As North Dakota's government faces criticism for its alleged failure to regulate the oil and gas industry, state officials have sided with three oil companies in an ongoing lawsuit. The case, which has been in the works for several years, involves Daryl Peterson, a landowner from Bottineau County, who has complained that numerous saltwater spills on his property have not been properly cleaned up.

But after seeking legal representation and bringing a suit against the three oil companies -- Sagebrush Resource, Ballantyne Oil and Petro Harvester Operating Co. -- Peterson and his attorneys now find themselves facing the oil companies and the state's lawyers, even though the state is not named in the lawsuit.

The circumstances of the case have created an odd legal situation, where state officials with the North Dakota Industrial Commission and the Oil and Gas Division, have become parties to the defense but continue to operate as the adjudicating bodies that are supposed to decide the case.

"It's like we brought an action in district court, and the district judge is acting like we are suing them, even though what we are really asking for is a decision," said Derrick Braaten, Peterson's attorney. "Quite frankly, I'm utterly confused by it." The legal dispute could provide more ammunition to critics who have argued that the state Department of Health and the Department of Mineral Resources, North Dakota's main oil regulatory agencies, have bowed to the interests of oil companies, to the detriment of landowners and residents.

EDIT

http://billingsgazette.com/business/features/state-sides-with-oil-companies-in-lawsuit-by-landowner-over/article_e8d8efdc-be98-5790-a8d2-999b428922b9.html

[misterhighwasted]

1. Welcome to the corrupt Red State Government of North Dakota

Same as Texas.
Landowners sold their soul & the souls of their forefathers who were careful stewards of the prairie land, to the corrupt marriage of big oil & their beloved Republican cronyism, and once again bought the lie of guns, gawd, & patriotism.
This State GOP government is corrupt to the core & unfortunately the landowners are slowly realizing that their beloved GOP they all voted into office will sell them out.
The stupidity of the republican voters in the State of North Dakota are only finding out just how badly they've been taken for a ride.
Big Oil.
Not much the landowners can do at this point but wait it out until the next election season, and hopefully be smart enough & humble enough to level the playing field.
They are now realizing that their beloved and sacred Prairie State, has become a toxic dump at the hands of the greedy & useless republicans they so eagerly voted into office.

[2naSalit]

2. Sadly,

up in this neck of the woods, it hardly matters which letter is next to the candidate's name. they are all sellouts to oil, mining, logging and cattle. Look at Heidtcamp (sp?) and Schweitzer. for instance, both are Ds but look at who they actually advocate for... It's just a matter f who has the $$ to run for office, since these states are populated with mostly poor people, the only folks who can run for office are those who sell their souls to the monied extractive industries, all while promising to do their bidding by selling the rest of us out... a never ending story around here.

[misterhighwasted]

4. Very good point. Schweitzer & Heitcamp are GOP lite.

I see Dickinson now has its 1st of two, diesel processing plants up & running. Phewww. Nicely situated just west of the city on the edge of Patterson Lake & the Heart River, what can go wrong with that, I dare speculate.
With the strong prairie winds blowing west to east, I can't imagine what a toxic stench the air over the city of Dickinson will be like.
And be sure that anyone who tried to voice concerns as to this very subject were barely heard.
Cronyism & corruption won this game.
I know of 30 landowners in that western corner of the he State who have simply sold out, packed up & moved away. There is no longer anything to leave to their future generations.

[lunasun]

3. Don't want over reaching job killing regulations and the earth can clean itself type politicians

Are in place now as requested and acting appropriately

[misterhighwasted]

5. K & R

Good luck to Daryl Peterson & Attorney Derrick Braaten.
Hopefully other landowners will join with them

[niyad]

6. k and r

[Scuba]

7. Our captive governments.

[Nihil]

8. As above, so below.

(Not speaking theologically but simply observing politically.)