Governor gauging sentiment for new oil refineries in Montana

The Schweitzer administration is throwing another potential ingredient into the energy development mix for Montana: A half-dozen new oil refineries across the northern and eastern tiers of the state.

The administration has hired a consultant to gauge whether any of seven Montana towns might welcome an industrial-sized refinery, which would process crude oil from Canada’s growing oil-sand development.

“This is an important opportunity that we’re going to start exploring,” said Evan Barrett, the governor’s chief business officer.

The communities eyed as possible refinery locations are Miles City, Glendive, Sidney, Wolf Point, Glasgow, Havre and Cut Bank/Shelby.

The consultant, hired last week, will visit with people in these communities and prepare a report by November, Barrett said.

By MIKE DENNISON – IR State Bureau

Full Story: http://www.helenair.com/articles/2006/09/08/montana/a08090806_01.txt