The Idaho House Resources and Conservation Committee approved the oil and gas industry rules almost unanimously Tuesday.
credit:
Aaron Kunz
BOISE, Idaho — The controversial method of extracting natural gas from the ground is one step closer to reality in the Northwest.
The Idaho House Resources and Conservation Committee approved the oil and gas industry rules almost unanimously Tuesday. Just one member, Rep. Dick Harwood voted no, saying it was too much, too fast on a new industry.
“That’s the problem with our country and it’s a problem in our state to where we are just over regulating the heck out of business,” he said.
Rep. Lenore Hardy Barrett voted to approve the rules. She said the oil and gas industry was part of the drafting process and feels the industry is comfortable with the regulations.
Rep. Dale Raybould summed up his comments by saying if the rules aren’t perfect. The legislature can revise them next year, adding it’s time to allow the industry to get to work.
Rules in Idaho are passed concurrently which means the senate committee will take up the rules at the same time as the house. The state Senate could take up the regulations first thing next week.
Congrats to David James for his winning submission, 'Annabella smelling the Balsam.'
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