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Panel weighs Mineral Resources staffing, considers using abandoned‑well fund for reclamation technicians
Summary
The committee reviewed the Department of Mineral Resources' request for new positions, discussed converting an unfilled CCUS role to a land-and-legal specialist, and explored using the Abandoned Oil and Gas Well Reclamation Fund (about $38 million) to pay for reclamation technicians in field offices.
The House Appropriations Government Operations division discussed budget 474 for the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR), including a request for additional FTEs and a plan to place reclamation specialists in field offices.
DMR Director Nathan Anderson told the committee the agency’s workload is growing — producing wells and regulated pipeline miles have increased — while some staff positions remain unfilled. Anderson and staff presented a priority list that included an executive/deputy director, a land-and-legal specialist (a re-purposed CCUS position), and reclamation technicians for field offices in Williston and Dickinson.
Committee members scrutinized how to fund additional reclamation staff. Representative Kempnick proposed using the Abandoned Oil and Gas Well Reclamation…
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