Flaring Bill Fails

Jessica Roose | 2/13/2013

A satellite image of the Bakken shows the area lit up from all the natural gas flaring in the area and flames won`t be going out anytime soon. The Senate voted down a bill that would have no longer allowed oil companies to receive exemptions to continue flaring after the first year. The bill`s sponsor says the amount of gas being burned in the Bakken could heat 500,000 homes.

Opponents say getting the necessary infrastructure in place to end flaring has been an ongoing problem for the oil companies.

"In one instance we heard there are 255 private land owner right away agreements that are in various stages of completion," said Senator Randall Burckhard (R) from Minot.

"I think we`re missing out on an economic opportunity. We`re being wasteful of the environment, we`re being wasteful of energy and the resources before us," said Senator Tim Mathern (D) from Fargo.

The bill failed by a 34 to 13 vote.

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