Candy billionaire fights energy industry push in Montana. Judge rules against candy billionaire in fight over drilling
| January 7, 2008 |  View for printing |
A reclusive billionaire whose family owns the Mars candy empire is emerging as a formidable opponent to the energy industry's development plans in southeastern Montana.
Forrest E. Mars Jr., the former chief executive of Mars Inc., owns a sprawling ranch along Montana's Tongue River – directly in the sights of companies hoping to tap the area's extensive coal and natural gas reserves.
Through his previously undisclosed ownership of the 82,000-acre Diamond Cross ranch, Mars is bringing his fortune to bear on the side of ranchers and conservationists trying to curb the companies' ambitions. Mars is worth an estimated $14 billion.
By Matthew Brown ASSOCIATED PRESS
Full Story: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/n ... uscoal.html
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Judge rules against candy billionaire in fight over drilling
By MATTHEW BROWN Associated Press Writer
The Mars candy billions proved not enough in state court Tuesday, as a judge said a Wyoming company has the right to drill for natural gas beneath Forrest Mars' sprawling southeastern Montana ranch.
Drilling is expected to begin within days.
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