In a state where public lands and wildlife are cherished, it’s no surprise that Montanans are rallying behind new measures to protect them. A recent poll conducted across Montana demonstrates overwhelming support for the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) new onshore oil and gas rule, which aims to reform how oil and gas development occurs on our public lands. The poll also revealed significant backing for limiting new oil and gas development in Southwest Montana.
The poll, commissioned by the Montana Wildlife Federation and conducted by New Bridge Strategy, surveyed Montanans statewide. The results are clear: There’s broad support among Montanans for common-sense oil and gas reforms.
“Montanans have made it clear that they value responsible energy development that also protects our public lands and wildlife habitats,” said Frank Szollosi, Executive Director of the Montana Wildlife Federation. “BLM’s oil and gas rule ensures that companies are held accountable for cleaning up their messes and that Montana taxpayers receive a fair return from energy development. This poll shows that the people of Montana stand firmly behind these common-sense reforms.”
The poll also demonstrates bipartisan support for a number of elements of the BLM’s oil and gas rule and stands in contrast to Senator Steve Daines’ recent resolution to dismantle the reforms. In fact, a majority of Montanans say that the oil and gas rule is common sense, including 60% of Republicans.
Key finding:
Montanans overwhelmingly support the four main components of BLM’s new oil and gas rule, with intense support for most policies:
- Strong support for clean-up responsibility: 96% of Montanans support requiring oil and gas companies to pay for the clean-up of public lands after drilling.
- Increased royalty fees: 84% of Montanans support increased royalty fees that match the state of Montana’s rates.
- Prioritizing conservation: 77% of Montanans statewide and 82% in Southwest Montana support prioritizing conservation of lands near rivers and streams or with threatened wildlife, on par with oil and gas drilling.
- Prioritizing productive leasing: 69% of Montanans favor leasing in areas with a high likelihood of oil and gas production, avoiding speculative leasing that ties up public lands unnecessarily.
The poll results also reflect strong support for limiting oil and gas development in Southwest Montana, particularly in areas like the Big Hole and Beaverhead watersheds. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has an opportunity to do just that in its pending sage grouse plan, which is aimed at protecting the habitats of the greater sage grouse. Oil and gas leasing and development pose significant threats to sage grouse and Southwest Montana’s rivers by causing direct loss of sagebrush habitat and creating disturbances from roads and infrastructure. The support shown in the poll underscores Montanans’ desire to remove the threat of leasing from Southwest Montana.
About the poll: The survey was conducted from July 15-21, 2024, among 500 registered voters statewide, with an additional 300 respondents from Southwest Montana.
View the poll here:
Montana Wildlife Federation Southwest Montana Key Findings
Montana Wildlife Federation Montana Statewide Key Findings
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