North Dakota state official says "environmental justice" and ESG curtailing oil and gas industries

(Fargo, ND) -- The Director of North Dakota's Department of Mineral Resources says the Biden Administration and federal regulators are actively working against producers in the oil and gas industries. 

"You've got the SEC cracking down on our publicly traded companies for ESG (environmental, social, and corporate governance) and environmental justice, and diversity and inclusion and equity, and you've got the Department of the Interior which is refusing to hold quarterly lease sales," said Lyn Helms. 

Helms says there are "so many forces working against" increased capital spending and increased activity in the oil and gas industries. 

The number of oil wells permitted in the state for November was 88.  That is down from an all time high of 370 wells permitted in late 2012. 

The rig count in North Dakota for the month of November was 40. That's down from an all time high of 218 back in May of 2012. 

Helms appeared on "What's on Your Mind". 

Original Air Date: 
Wednesday, December 28, 2022