 The Montana Petroleum Report provides information of interest to Montanans. We encourage you to forward this e-letter to your friends.
— Dave Galt, Executive Director www.montanapetroleum.org
Industry a Friend of
MT Schools, Teachers and K-12 Students
The reliable stream of funding from oil and gas activities in Montana is crucial for rural schools in oil-producing counties such as Richland. But the industry’s support of education does not end with tax dollars. The Montana Petroleum Association (MPA), the trade association for Montana’s oil and gas companies, is a partner with rural communities. MPA shares the core values of rural Montanans, especially when it comes to schools. We sponsor events and activities that help teachers improve learning for kids.
 Industry supports K-12 education
The petroleum industry's growth over the last decade has meant more production tax revenues and royalties. These revenues are significant to the state, to counties where oil and gas are produced, to public schools and to landowners. Between 1999 and 2009, oil and gas companies paid nearly $1.5 billion in oil and gas production taxes alone.
Nearly half of this tax revenue is returned to the counties where the production occurred, providing school districts with essential funding. In 2008 counties received almost $149 million in revenues from production taxes.
A combination of market forces reduced production over the past 18 months. This means the taxes paid by industry in 2009 will be less than in 2008. This is all the more reason to ensure that any proposed policies – federal or state – that could hamper the exploration and production of oil and gas should be weighed carefully against the impact on revenues available to Montana schools. Oil and gas production is good for the state and good for its schools.
 Helping teachers; encouraging student research and analysis
The Montana Rural Education Association, Montana Taxpayers Association and MPA share a common goal: to encourage responsible development of Montana’s natural resources and continued support for quality education in Montana’s K-12 schools.
The three groups will sponsor “Bridges to the Future,” a conference that will look at resource revenues and sustained support for education in Montana. Educators and the public are invited to attend the conference in Billings October 15-16.
While oil and gas production taxes help support quality education, an industry program is motivating high school students to develop the skills needed for independent thinking.
Since 2005 the Montana Board of Oil and Gas Conservation (MBOGC) and MPA have co-sponsored an essay contest for high school students that encourages independent thinking and research. Contest winners are awarded cash prizes for essays that examine global issues.
This year’s theme – global warming – couldn’t be more timely. All Montana resident high school students are invited to submit essays before January 15, 2010. Winners will receive cash prizes of $500 to $2,000. The MBOGC and the MPA believe the cash awards will encourage young people to think about science, conduct their own research and analysis, and learn a little about capitalism.
For information about this year’s high school student essay contest, visit the contest notice page.
The Montana Petroleum Association, Inc. is a voluntary, non-profit trade association, serving a membership of oil and natural gas producers, gathering and pipeline companies, petroleum refiners, service providers and consultants.
montanapetroleum.org
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