Has the battle been won? Final Badger Two-Medicine oil lease relinquished

Montana Untamed

Has the battle been won? Final Badger Two-Medicine oil lease relinquished

Clean

Published on Sep 14, 2023, 11:00:00 AM
Total time: 00:19:46

Episode Description

On September 1, the U.S. Interior Department announced that the last energy lease in the Badger-Two Medicine area had been relinquished.

This piece of ground surrounded by the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness, was considered sacred to the Blackfeet.

It was also considered so valuable by the Louisiana-based Solenex LLC energy company, they held onto the lease through seven presidential administrations, two federal court fights and 40 years of negotiations.

When we last talked about the Badger Two-Medicine a year ago, it was on its way to a second round before the Washington, D.C. Court of Appeals. 

On this episode, Rob Chaney, managing editor of the Missoulian, fills us in on what has changed.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More about Montana Untamed

Montana Untamed, hosted by Thom Bridge, covers the state's rugged landscape from hook and bullet to policy and science.