Gov. John Hoeven, new North Dakota House of Representatives Majority Leader Rep. Al Carlson of Fargo and Sen. Bob Stenehjem of Bismarck are among those expected to attend the meeting at the Airport International Inn from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“Basically, it’s a chance to get the players together and inform “ in this particular case the legislators ” on what is going on here and the issues that are a concern to us,” Williston Mayor Ward Koeser said in a telephone interview on Monday.
Legislators are to hear from leaders in the oil sector, as well as the mayors of energy producing towns that are directly impacted by the increased activity in the oil sector.
“We will be having oil industry personnel and mayors to brief legislators on what the issues are and how the industry is impacting the region,” said Koeser. Koeser said while the ongoing activity in the oil sector is beneficial for the state’s economy, it tends to have a negative effect on the residents of the towns generating the revenue.
“Local taxpayers are hefting with the impact,” said Koeser. “We just want to make sure that they (legislators) recognize that and hopefully will give us the support we need when we get to the legislative (session).”
Williston Economic Development Executive Director Tom Rolfstad said the event was scheduled this month to precede the 2009 legislative session that is holding its organizational session this week in Bismarck.
“That’s one of the reasons that we wanted to have this (summit) at this time, to expose the legislative leadership and the governor on the issues that we have right now before they really get too far into the session,” Rolfstad said in a telephone interview on Monday.
The general public is invited to attend the Williston Basin Summit, but a registration fee applies. Additional information and registration forms are available at www.willistonnd.com or at the Williston Economic Development office.
Early registration is $20 or $30 the day of the event.
“It should be an interesting day,” said Koeser. “Everyone right now is wanting to know what is going to happen in the oil industry, so we hope to have some people there who can give us a sense of direction; what the industry is looking at and how they are feeling.”
An issue Rolfstad believes is going to take precedence at the Williston Basin Summit is a revaluation of the oil impact fund formula; particularly how much oil revenue is returned to oil-producing towns to mitigate the impacts of the industry.
This year’s summit is hosted by the Williston Area Development Foundation, the Northern Alliance of Independent Producers, the North Dakota Association of Oil and Gas Producing Counties, the North Dakota Petroleum Council and the State of North Dakota.
Last year was the first time the Williston Basin Summit was organized.
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