Tribe wants to build coal-to-liquids plant
By BECKY SHAY
Billings Gazette Saturday, December 08, 2007
jacksonholestartrib.com
BILLINGS, Mont. -- The Crow nation brings money to Billings and hopes to soon bring coal-to-liquid fuel-produced energy to Montana, tribal Chairman Carl Venne said Thursday.
In return, the Crow Tribe needs to build bridges with its neighbors in Yellowstone County and its legislators, Venne told about 50 people during a luncheon hosted by the Billings Chamber of Commerce and Big Sky Economic Development Authority.
"The future is good for the Crow Tribe, if we continue to work hard," Venne said. "But we also need the help of you here in Billings to reach our goals."
One of the first goals -- which the Venne administration has worked on for four years -- is developing its natural resources. The tribe this week started drilling oil and gas wells, he said.
The reservation sits on a large coal seam that holds an estimated 19 billion tons, Venne said. The tribe is trying to develop a coal-to-liquid fuel plant and should know next week if the project will proceed.
"I'm almost positive that it's a go," he said.
Tribes do not pay state taxes on their coal and have a tax incentive on each ton that is mined.
"This tribe could secure electric generation in Montana at a lot lower rate" than competitors, Venne said.
The project also could make the tribe, which would own a majority share of the plant, self-sufficient by bringing in up to $300 million a year and creating 3,000 jobs, he said.
The tribe doesn't have much infrastructure, including energy-transmission lines, to develop the resources, Venne said. TransCanada Corp. is looking at investing in those lines, he said.
"I think that's going to be a lifesaver for Montana," Venne said.
To improve their stance with investors and businesses, the tribal legislature and executive branch have adopted Uniform Commercial Code and limited liability corporation laws. The tribe has waived its sovereign immunity for some large project contracts.
Tribes must begin to combine their standing as sovereign nations and American constituents of political leaders, he said. It also is important to boost cooperation between communities and reservations.
The Crow Tribe has about 47 percent unemployment, Venne said. While Billings and Montana currently have around 2 percent unemployment, Venne said he sees tribal members as a great resource for businesses seeking workers.
To help that happen, Venne said the tribe is developing a transportation system that by 2009 should be available for tribal members to travel between Sheridan, Wyo., and Billings.
The tribe must work to create education programs at Little Big Horn Community College and through partnerships with colleges and universities such as Montana State University Billings. |
