Author: Press Room

IRS to Target Millionaires in Crackdown, Use AI

5 October 2023
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By Brett Rowland, The Center Square

The IRS announced new enforcement initiatives  to crack down on 1,600 millionaires and 75 large companies it said owe hundreds of millions in unpaid taxes.  IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel said the agency will use Inflation Reduction Act funding to focus on high-income earners, partnerships, large corporations and promoters. He said the IRS won’t increase audit rates for those earning less than $400,000. “This new compliance push makes good on the promise of the Inflation Reduction Act to ensure the IRS holds our wealthiest filers accountable to pay the full amount of what they owe,” Werfel said in a statement.

The IRS will prioritize high-income cases. The High Wealth, High Balance Due Taxpayer Field Initiative will take aim at taxpayers with total positive income above $1 million who have more than $250,000 in recognized tax debt. The agency also will have dozens of revenue officers focusing on these high-end collection cases in fiscal year 2024 and the agency is working to expand that effort by contacting about 1,600 taxpayers who owe hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes, according to the agency. 

The IRS further plans to expand a pilot program that uses artificial intelligence to take a closer look at the 75 largest partnerships in the U.S. That is expected to start by the end of the month. On average, such partnerships have more than $10 billion in assets.

Businesses Owners Want Credit Card Competition

5 October 2023
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Small business owners have been concerned about excessive credit card processing fees for years but have had no possible course of action until now. The Credit Card Competition Act of 2023 (S. 1838 / H.R. 3881) has been introduced in both chambers of Congress, and NFIB (National Federation of Independent Businesses) released a new video featuring small business owners explaining the impact its passage would have on their Main Street businesses if passed into law.

The Credit Card Competition Act of 2023 seeks to ensure competition in the credit card processing market by allowing small businesses the freedom to choose between multiple credit card networks. Without this legislation, businesses everywhere are subjected to ever-rising processing fees – known as swipe fees – set by large credit card companies in a closed market, free from competition.

“The Credit Card Competition Act of 2023, I think, would be very beneficial to our business,” said Renea Jones, a small business owner from Tennessee. “We just recently started accepting credit cards, and we have noticed that that ‘swipe fee’ has been very expensive for us.”

According to a recent NFIB member ballot, 92% of small business owners believe that businesses should have the right to choose between multiple credit card processing networks. This legislation would help preserve their freedom of choice by injecting much-needed competition into the credit card processing market, allowing small business owners to choose the option that is best for their business.

“Just like we have to compete for clients and for the business that we want to be engaged in, the credit card companies should absolutely not have a monopoly on the business owners that are able to take advantage of their services,” said Michelle Smith, a small business owner from Florida.

Credit card swipe fees have more than doubled since 2012. As small business owner David Henrich from Minnesota explains, there is not a lot that small business owners can do to maintain prices with this added fee.

“I think one thing people forget about all these costs and fees that they think businesses pay is that it’s the consumers who end up paying these fees,” said David. “At the end of the day, if we can reduce those fees, we can stabilize costs.”

US Petroleum Exports Hit Record

4 October 2023
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By Bethany Blankley, The Center Square

U.S. petroleum products exports set a new record in the first half of 2023, according to newly released U.S. Energy Information Association data. 

U.S. exports of petroleum products grew 2% to nearly 6 million barrels per day (b/d) in the first half of 2023 (1H23) compared to the same period in 2022, according to the EIA. 

In the first half of 2022, the US became the world’s largest liquified natural gas (LNG) exporter, because European countries experienced energy shortages from failed “green energy” policies and reduced reliance on Russian oil, according to energy experts. The U.S., led by Texas, gave European countries a “lifeline,” Texans for Natural Gas explained. 

The increase in petroleum products exports was the greatest volume of first-half-of-the-year exports the EIA has ever reported since it began publishing its Petroleum Supply Monthly report in 1981. Exports of propane and other hydrocarbon gas liquids (HGLs) drove the increase, it says. 

Exports of other major petroleum products like motor gasoline, distillate fuel oil, and jet fuel all decreased compared to the same time period last year. Growth in this area was less than during the same time period last year because exports in 1H22 skyrocketed to meet increased demand in Europe. 

The U.S. was also the top exporter of liquified natural gas in the first half of 2023, again led by Gulf states.

U.S. exports of crude oil continued to increase in the first half of this year, rising to 4 million b/d—19% higher than the first half of last year, the EIA notes. 

U.S. propane exports in 1H23 averaged 1.5 million b/d in 1H23, an 8% increase (119,000 b/d) from 1H22, according to the EIA data. Propane was the most-exported U.S. petroleum product in 1H23, continuing a trend that began in 2020, it notes. Propane exports “are the primary driver of overall higher U.S. petroleum product exports so far this year,” EIA says. Other HGL exports were also a significant driver of 1H23 export growth, increasing by 9% (85,000 b/d) compared to 1H22.

While propane exports to European and Central and South American countries decreased in 1H23 compared to 1H22, exports to Asian countries increased rapidly, according to the report. Nearly 60% of U.S. propane exports went to Asia in 1H23, mostly to Japan, China, and South Korea, the EIA states.

Total distillate exports to Europe increased in 1H23 compared to 1H22 after the EU imposed a ban on all Russian petroleum products at the beginning of 2023. U.S. distillate fuel oil exports to European countries averaged 138,000 b/d in 1H23 compared to 56,000 b/d in 1H22, with the UK and the Netherlands receiving the most.

“The increase in distillate exports to Europe even as exports to other destinations declined partially reflects rerouted trade flows in response to sanctions on petroleum product imports from Russia,” the EIA notes. “Exports to Europe from the United States are replacing distillate supplies that previously came from Russia, which now lack market access in Europe and therefore are being exported to destinations further abroad.”

Ed Longanecker, with Texans for Natural Gas and the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association, told The Center Square that “Texas energy – from our wells in West Texas to our ports along the Gulf of Mexico – enabled America to meet European gas needs in a time of crisis” last year. Texas energy provides energy security to the U.S. and its allies, he and others in the industry maintain. “Without American natural gas, Europe would have been at the mercy of aggressive foreign powers,” he said.

US Needs More Pipelines

4 October 2023
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The Center Square

A recent analysis determined the United States sits on a century’s worth of gas supply, but industry experts warn there aren’t enough pipelines to access it.

The report from the Potential Gas Committee, part of the Colorado School of Mines, found that the country had technically recoverable gas resources of 3,353 trillion cubic feet, a 0.5% decrease from its 2020 estimate.

Despite this, however, total future supply has hit the highest level recorded by the committee in 60 years.

Steven Sonnenberg of the Colorado School of Mines noted they have seen a “bit of a plateau in recent years,” but “proved reserves are also increasing,” which represents more drilling activity from companies. It also shows more natural gas is moving from potential underground fields to actual reserves.

The Energy Information Administration tracks proved reserves, which are confirmed gas supplies, while the committee tracks unconfirmed probable resources (like field extensions or new pools in discovered natural gas areas), possible resources (like new natural gas fields), and speculative resources (where new basins might be).

“We’re essentially at all-time highs with both cumulative production, crude production, and these gas resource numbers,” Sonnenberg said.

The U.S. consumes about 30 trillion cubic feet of natural gas annually, Sonnenberg noted, which would mean the country has a “100-year resource of natural gas” with its proven and estimated supply.

Natural gas supplies in the Atlantic area, in which Pennsylvania resides, declined by 2.5% to 1,259 Tcf, but remain the most significant part of the country, with 40% of the country’s natural gas supply.

“All of the increases in the Atlantic Area’s assessment since 2016 arose from ongoing evaluation of Appalachian basin shales, predominantly the prolific Marcellus in Pennsylvania and West Virginia,” the committee’s report noted.

Pennsylvania in recent years has seen record revenues from its impact fee, which distributes money to local governments where natural gas production occurs. The Independent Fiscal Office, however, expects those payouts to decline.

Production growth has also stalled, which industry advocates argue is a result of pipeline capacity limits and permitting delays, while environmental groups charge that natural gas production has permanently plateaued.

The committee acknowledges that without more pipelines, the gas supply will sit unused.

Strategy to Reduce Carbon Emmissions Drafted by MDT, Comment Period Over

4 October 2023
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Directed by the federal government to do so, The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) has developed a draft “Carbon Reduction Strategy (CRS),” which it announced in a press release on September 20, was available for public review and comment until September 27.

The National Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) was signed into law as part of the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). It provides funding to states if they develop and promote projects aimed at reducing carbon emissions from vehicles and other transportation sources as determined by the Federal Highway Administration which oversees MDT. Under the law, each state must develop guidelines and regulations in consultation with local Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs).

MPOs are organizations required by the federal government, also under the auspices of the Federal Highway Administration (FHA), for communities reaching certain population levels in order for a community to get federal municipal planning & development funds, and to be eligible for transportation funds. Under a “Memorandum of Agreement for Continuing Transportation Planning in the Billings Urbanized Area” the function of an MPO is overseen by the MDT and the FHA.

One of the requirements of an MPO is to establish a city/ county Planning Board comprised of local citizens, which is administered by the city planning staff. A typical municipal planning department gets more than two-thirds of their funding from FHA.

In Montana, three cities are required to have MPOs – Great Falls, Missoula and Billings. In Billings the MPO is called the Policy Coordinating Committee (PCC). The committee is comprised of a city council representative, a county commissioner, a member of the Planning Board, MDT District Administrator, a representative from the state MDT, and the Division Administrator for FHA.

MDT states in a press release that the Montana CRS “provides a baseline summary of carbon emissions associated with Montana transportation and presents localized strategies. These strategies would be funded by the CRP, and include recommendations for implementation and monitoring efforts. The document is intended to assist transportation officials in making future project and program decisions to reduce carbon emissions.”

As of only September 20, the public was encouraged to view the document and comment on it. The press release said the proposal was available at https:// www.mdt.mt.gov/ pubinvolve/crs/ beginning September 13, through Wednesday, September 27, 2023. Comments may be submitted online at http://www.mdt.mt.gov/contact/comment-form.aspx or by contacting Vicki Crnich at 406-444-7653 or mailto:vcrnich@mt.gov.

The press release said that after considering public comments, a final version of the CRS will be posted to the state website.

Shamrock Acquires Valley Distributing

4 October 2023
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Shamrock Foods, the largest family-held foodservice distributor in the western United States, has acquired Valley Distributing of Montana (Valley) in Billings. With a location in Billings,  Shamrock Foods has been serving Montana since 2020, distributing products to the restaurant and foodservice industry.

“Throughout Shamrock’s 100-year history, our success is built on our absolute commitment to taking care of our customers and making it easy for them to do business with us,” said Kent McClelland, Shamrock Foods Company Chairman and CEO. “Valley strengthens our ability to serve our Montana customers and expands our footprint in the West.”

With this acquisition, Shamrock’s customer base benefits from a Montana-based warehouse with room for expansion. Shamrock will build upon its local team, led by Montana native, Warren Helmer, in welcoming Valley’s employees into the Shamrock family of associates.

“We are working closely with Valley to ensure a smooth transition for all employees and customers,” said McClelland. “Growth is a way of life at Shamrock and as we continue to reinvest in people, fleet, facilities and technology, we look forward to a strong future in Montana.”

Shamrock Foodservice Warehouse’s retail store is located in Billings Heights, which provides access to high-quality foodservice products to restaurant operators and the general public with no membership fees.

Established over 100 years ago, the family-owned and -operated company attributes its longevity to an unwavering commitment to growing the best people, products, and services.

Shamrock Foods Company specializes in the manufacturing and distribution of quality food and food-related products through its family of companies including Shamrock Foods – the largest independent foodservice company in the West and top five in the United States, and Shamrock Farms – one of the largest family-owned and operated dairies nationwide. Founded in 1922 with 20 cows, a truck and a dream, Shamrock has grown into a national leader serving customers coast to coast. Four generations later, Shamrock Foods Company is still family-owned.

SBA 8(a) Program Makes Changes to Comply with Court Ruling

4 October 2023
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The SBA’s 8(a) program is making a major change to social disadvantage narrative requirements in the wake of a court ruling influenced by the Supreme Court’s decision on affirmative action.

The Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Business Development program was meant to make available billions in government contracting dollars for “historically disadvantaged groups.” But in July, a federal judge in Tennessee struck down a provision of the program that equated race with social disadvantage.

The decision throws into disarray an SBA program that has served minority-owned small businesses for about five decades. Legal experts said it could signal trouble for other programs meant to help underrepresented groups win federal contracts, including veterans and women.

Under the new guidelines, being Black, Hispanic, Asian or Native American is no longer enough to automatically qualify as socially disadvantaged — a key step in making it into the program. Instead, in a mass email distributed Aug. 22 by SBA officials, business owners were instructed to submit an essay demonstrating that race had hindered their success.

On July 19, 2023, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee issued a ruling (Ultima Servs. Corp. v. Dep’t of Ag. (E.D. Tenn.) affecting the application process for determining eligibility for SBA’s 8(a) Program. 

All current 8(a) participants will receive additional, direct communication from the SBA detailing what, if any, additional information must be provided to SBA in order to continue Program participation. Potential participants who have already initiated an 8(a) application may continue to work on their applications but may be required to incorporate changes in the future. If that is the case, SBA will give them clear indication of the changes needed.

Optimism Among Small Businesses

4 October 2023
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NFIB’s Small Business Optimism Index decreased 0.6 of a point in August to 91.3, the 20th consecutive month below the 49-year average of 98. Twenty-three percent of small business owners reported that inflation was their single most important business problem, up two points from last month. The net percentage of owners raising average selling prices increased two points to a net 27% (seasonally adjusted), still at an inflationary level.

“With small business owners’ views about future sales growth and business conditions discouraging, owners want to hire and make money now from strong consumer spending,” said NFIB (National Federation of Independent Businesses) Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. “Inflation and the worker shortage continue to be the biggest obstacles for Main Street.”

Key findings include:

* Small business owners expecting better business conditions over the next six months deteriorated seven points from July to a net negative 37%; however, while still at recession levels, the reading is 24 percentage points better than that of last June, which was a net negative 61%.

* Forty percent of owners reported job openings that were hard to fill, down two points from July but remain historically high.

* The net percentage of owners who expect real sales to be higher decreased two points from July to a net negative 14%.

As reported in NFIB’s monthly jobs report, 40% (seasonally adjusted) of all owners reported job openings they could not fill in the current period. Owners’ plans to fill open positions remain elevated, with a seasonally adjusted net 17% planning to create new jobs in the next three months.

Fifty-six percent reported capital outlays in the last six months, up one point from July. Of those making expenditures, 37% reported spending on new equipment, 24% acquired vehicles, and 17% improved or expanded facilities. Eleven percent spent money on new fixtures and furniture, and 4% acquired new buildings or land for expansion. Twenty-four percent of owners plan capital outlays in the next few months, down three points from July.

A net negative 14% of all owners (seasonally adjusted) reported higher nominal sales in the past three months, the lowest reading since August 2020. The net percentage of owners expecting higher real sales volumes declined two points to a net negative 14%.

The net percentage of owners reporting inventory gains declined four points to a net negative 7%. Not seasonally adjusted, 11% reported increases in stocks and 16% reported reductions. A net negative 5% of owners viewed current inventory stocks as “too low” in August, down one point from July. By industry, shortages are the most frequent in retail (9%), finance (7%), manufacturing (7%), and services (7%). Zero percent of owners plan inventory investments in the coming months, up two points from July.

The net percentage of owners raising average selling prices increased two points from July to a net 27% (seasonally adjusted). Twenty-three percent of owners reported that inflation was their single most important problem in operating their business, up two points.

Unadjusted, 12% reported lower average selling prices and 38% reported higher average prices. Price hikes were the most frequent in finance (52% higher, 7% lower), construction (51% higher, 6% lower), retail (45% higher, 11% lower), and wholesale (36% higher, 20% lower). Seasonally adjusted, a net 30% plan price hikes.

The frequency of reports of positive profit trends was a net negative 25%, up five points. Among owners reporting lower profits, 28% blamed weaker sales, 24% blamed the rise in the cost of materials, 15% cited labor costs, 10% cited lower prices, 5% cited the usual seasonal change, and 3% cited higher taxes or regulatory costs. For owners reporting higher profits, 45% credited sales volumes, 29% cited usual seasonal change, and 12% cited higher selling prices.

Two percent of owners reported that financing was their top business problem. A net 24% of owners reported paying a higher rate on their most recent loan.

The NFIB Research Center has collected Small Business Economic Trends data with quarterly surveys since the fourth quarter of 1973 and monthly surveys since 1986. Survey respondents are randomly drawn from NFIB’s membership. The report is released on the second Tuesday of each month. This survey was conducted in August 2023.

NFIB on Beneficial Ownership Requirements, Regulatory Landscape for Small Businesses

4 October 2023
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In two U.S. House committee hearings on July 18, 2023, NFIB Vice President of Federal Government Relations Kevin Kuhlman and Executive Director of the NFIB Small Business Legal Center Beth Milito advocated to ensure small business isn’t overlooked or harmed by upcoming legislation. (NFIB is the National Federation of Independent Businesses which is the only organization that represents small businesses in that its members must be business owners, who through regular polls set policies and goals.)

Kuhlman testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions in a hearing titled, “Potential Consequences of FinCEN’s Beneficial Ownership Rulemaking.” The hearing addressed the beneficial ownership information requirements for small businesses.

“NFIB has long opposed beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting requirements because the regulations impact only small businesses under the threat of severe penalties,” said Kuhlman. “BOI reporting requirements were buried in an amendment as part of a large and unrelated bill. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has overreached in implementing the legislation, failing to both minimize reporting burdens on small businesses and provide clarity to small businesses. Finally, FinCEN is lacking in education and outreach to the small business community and few small businesses are aware of their requirements that begin in less than six months.”

The Corporate Transparency Act was signed into law in 2021 as part of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021. The Corporate Transparency Act is one of the most expansive small business regulations in history, affecting 32.6 million small businesses in the first year and five to six million small businesses every year thereafter, according to FinCEN’s estimates.

“Ultimately, NFIB believes Congress should repeal the Corporate Transparency Act and better target revised anti-money laundering laws,” said Kuhlman. “This legislation establishes a massive government dragnet with the personally identifiable information of 32.6 million law-abiding small business owners with the hope that criminal money launderers will fess up and admit that they are hiding behind shell companies.”

Milito testified before the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Workforce Protections in a hearing titled, “Cutting Corners at WHD: Examining the Cost to Workers, Small Businesses, and the Economy.” Milito spoke on the financial and negative impact government regulations and red tape have on small businesses. Milito also testified about NFIB’s latest white paper, “The Regulatory Flexibility Act: Turning a Paper Tiger Into a Legitimate Constraint on One-Size-Fits-All Agency Rulemaking,” on ways Congress could lessen the regulatory burden they’ve placed on small businesses.

“If the question is, how should Congress and the President respond to the challenges facing small businesses? We believe legislators should look to the example laid by the Democratic-led 96th Congress and President Jimmy Carter,” stated Milito. “In 1980, President Carter and Congress recognized the disproportionate impact of federal regulations on small businesses and unanimously approved the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA). Upon signing the RFA into law, President Carter stated, ‘This bill adds another piece to the far-reaching regulatory reform record that we and the Congress are building.’”

The RFA was enacted to protect small businesses from one-size-fits-all rulemaking by federal agencies. Unfortunately, federal agencies routinely ignore the RFA’s requirements throughout the rulemaking process.

“The intent of the RFA was clear – when promulgating regulations, federal agencies must consider and minimize the impact of rules on small businesses. However, in the 40-plus years since the RFA became law, agencies have found ways to disregard or bypass many of the RFA’s requirements. In fact, NFIB’s Small Business Legal Center recently analyzed the Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Advocacy’s comment letters to federal agencies from January 2021 to January 2023 and found significant noncompliance with the RFA. In these letters, Advocacy highlighted 29 instances where agencies failed to adequately examine the economic costs of regulations.”

Now is the time for members of Congress to support small businesses by working to strengthen the RFA. Take Action: Tell your lawmakers to support the Prove It Act and why the RFA is important to your small business.

Montana Highlights October 1 2023

4 October 2023
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Ten years after opening its first North American store, Fjällräven, the Swedish-heritage outdoor gear retailer opened its first store in Montana, in Bozeman. Fjällräven (pronounced Fyall-rev-en) offers hiking and camping gear. Before 2020, Fjällräven was primarily known in North America for its popular Kånken backpacks.  

The Mexican family restaurant, Rio Sabinas, located at Shiloh Crossing, closed their doors for good September 24.

Montana State University’s fall student enrollment is the largest in its 130-year history, with 16,978 students pursuing the many benefits of higher education at the state’s largest university. The new enrollment is up 2% over last fall’s headcount, an increase of 290 students. MSU’s previous enrollment record of 16,902 was set in the fall of 2018. MSU’s enrollment solidifies its position as the largest university in the four-state region of Montana, Wyoming and the Dakotas.

The Gallatin County residential real estate market saw continued strong demand in August.  According to statistics median sales prices in the single-family market increased 7.6% compared to last August, from $775,000 to $834,000. Closed sales fell slightly by 1.9%, from 107 to 105. The median number of days homes spent on the market decreased 41.7%, from 36 to 21 days. The average percent of list price received ticked up slightly by 0.7%, from 97.4 % to 98.1%. The median price per square foot sold increased 1.9%, from $373 to $380. Pending sales increased 1%, from 103 to 104. The number of new listings increased 11.8%, from 144 to 161. End-of-month inventory decreased 11.9%, from 413 to 364. The month’s supply of inventory fell 10.2%, from 3.86 to 3.47 months.

The Montana Chamber of Commerce has warned, “If a government shutdown does occur, it is likely to be significant in duration with no clear path for reopening the government.”

The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced that Cape Air will continue to provide Essential Air Service (EAS) from Billings to five communities in eastern Montana, which include Havre, Glasgow, Glendive, Sidney, and Wolf Point. The new four-year contract runs from January 1, 2024-December 31, 2027. Cape Air will continue to use its 9-passenger Cessna 402, Tecnam P2012 Traveller, and Cessna Caravan to serve the region.

With little private market interest, again tax dollars are subsidizing the installation of electric vehicle charging stations.  Montana State University’s first Level 2 EV charging stations were installed this summer on the west side of American Indian Hall and on the south side of Hyalite residence hall. A third station is slated for installation on the southwest corner of the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse parking lot later this year. MSU Parking Services said EV drivers will be able to access the stations on a first-come, first-served basis and will be charged $3 per hour to park, payable at the charging station. University officials will closely monitor station usage and other factors to determine where to best locate additional chargers in the future. They also will assess whether there is a need to provide chargers for electric bikes.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the approval of a Climate Vulnerability Assessment (CVA) project for the Smurfit-Stone Mill site in Frenchtown, Montana. CVAs help EPA project managers design Superfund remedies that are resilient in the face of a changing climate, taking drought, severe weather, temperature, wildfire and other factors into account. The site, a former paper and pulp mill located three miles south of Frenchtown, Montana, covers 3,200 acres and is divided into three operable units spanning agricultural lands, the former mill site and parts of the Clark Fork River floodplain. Efforts are currently underway to characterize and understand risks related to prior site activities and waste disposal practices.

Two environmental groups are suing the state of Montana over wolf trapping regulations they say violate federal law by failing to protect grizzly bears from unintentional trapping. At issue are Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks regulations that allow trapping of wolves in grizzly habitat. Traps set for wolves and other species like coyote and marten can unintentionally trap grizzlies instead. Grizzlies in the Lower 48 states are protected as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.

Tamus Gannon and Lisa Gannon, owners of Swan River Gardens in Big Fork  are celegrating their 25th year in business. Swan River Gardens has four greenhouses dedicated to custom growing and another dedicated to deer-resistant plants.

Cynthia Koch, Three Rivers Bank of Montana’s Assistant Controller, has been named the 2023 Montana Independent Bankers Association, Outstanding Young Banker. This award is to recognize young, upcoming leaders in Montana’s banking community.

The BLM Montana-Dakotas State office will wrap up 2023 with a December lease sale in North Dakota. This was the first full year of federal leases offered under regulatory reforms championed by President Joe Biden. There were concerns in the fossil fuel industry ahead of the new rules that tougher leasing standards would discourage interest in low-production areas, like Montana. In June, Montana parcels nominated for a September sale were withdrawn following  concern by an environmental group that the new lease terms were being ignored. Yet lease sales continued .