BLM Approves 74-Mile Natural Gas Pipeline Montana

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has approved a 74-mile natural gas pipeline from Helena to Three Forks, Montana, to enhance energy supply and create local jobs, using an accelerated 14-day environmental review process under the national energy emergency declared by President Donald J. Trump. The pipeline, a 16-inch steel underground conduit, is expected to begin construction in 2027 and be completed by 2030, aiming to increase service reliability and system resilience. In North Dakota, a joint venture between Intensity Infrastructure Partners and Rainbow Energy Center announced plans for a 344-mile natural gas pipeline from the Bakken region to eastern North Dakota, designed to boost in-state natural gas use, reduce flaring, and support oil production growth. This North Dakota pipeline will be built in two phases with capacities of 1.1 million Dth/d and 430,000 Dth/d, targeting service by mid-2029, and is supported by state officials as critical infrastructure to handle increased natural gas production. Both Montana and North Dakota projects reflect a broader effort to strengthen America's energy independence by expanding traditional energy infrastructure on public lands and within key oil-producing regions. These initiatives align with government priorities to create jobs, support local economies, and secure a reliable energy future.