independent ranchers Grant & Mabel Dobbs

Independent ranchers gain protections and challenge checkoff

Independent ranchers received good news this week. On December 14,  the Grains Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration announced the Farmer Fair Practices Rules. The rules contain an interim final rule on competitive injury, a proposed rule on unfair practices and … Continued

anti-corporate farming law

ND Farm Bureau can still do the right thing

North Dakota voters decided to keep an anti-corporate farming law. Dakota Resource Council member Jeri Lynn Bakken takes after the North Dakota Farm Bureau for filing suit against the law in this letter-to-the-editor in the Dickinson Press. This past June, … Continued

final BLM methane standards

Final BLM Methane Rules Stronger Than Expected

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recently released its final rule addressing the waste of natural gas via flaring, venting, and leaks. Since 2013, the WORC network has advocated for the finalization of the rule. The purpose of a federal … Continued

Photo of a flare Ryan Zinke, BLM methane waste prevention rule, methane pollution, natural gas waste, congressional review act, methane standards

Natural Gas Waste Standards Targeted by Industry and States

WORC teamed with 14 national, regional, tribal and local public health and environmental groups representing millions of Americans to take legal steps to defend new standards that reduce natural gas waste on public and tribal lands, protect public health, and … Continued

DOT-111 oil train

Canada Phases Out DOT-111 Rail Cars

On November 1, Canadian Transport Minister Marc Garneau delivered on his promise to phase out DOT-111 rail cars from Canada. DOT-111 cars are the rail cars responsible for the fiery derailments throughout the United States starting in 2012. The biggest fiery … Continued

trans-pacific partnership family agriculture, cattle market

Trans-Pacific Partnership Off the Agenda, for now

The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is dead, for now. Democratic and Republican leaders have indicated Congress will not consider the TPP this year. In September, Western Colorado Congress (WCC) member Wink Davis met with Congressional offices. He was as part of … Continued

PACE webinar

Learn about PACE: Clean energy financing

PACE: Saving Money & Creating Jobs On November 1st, WORC hosted a webinar for members to learn more about Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) and how it can help conserve energy, save money, and advance our use of clean energy.  The webinar … Continued

wastewater

Wyoming Mulls New Bonding Rules For O&G Wastewater Facilities

Wyoming regulators are looking into enacting new regulations regarding the bonding of oil and gas wastewater treatment facilities. Oil and gas wastewater facilities are also known as Commercial Oilfield Waste Disposal Facilities or COWDFs. COWDFs treat wastewater from oil and … Continued