Montana-Dakota Utilities a founding partner in EPA’s Methane Challenge Program

BISMARCK, N.D. – March 30, 2016 – Montana-Dakota Utilities, a division of MDU Resources Group, Inc., is one of the founding partners in the Natural Gas STAR Methane Challenge Program.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Methane Challenge Program provides a mechanism through which oil and natural gas companies can make and track ambitious commitments to reduce methane emissions. The program officially launched today at the Global Methane Forum in Washington, D.C.

The Methane Challenge Program provides a platform for partners to showcase their efforts to reduce methane emissions, improve air quality, and capture and monetize natural gas.

Montana-Dakota and its sister utility companies will focus on excavation damages.

“Excavation damage to our natural gas pipelines by third parties is a significant cause of our emissions and the main reason we are placing our focus on this area,” said Nicole Kivisto, president and CEO of Montana-Dakota. “Calling for locates before you dig will be a big part of our continued education and promotion in this area. We believe it’s important to be a founding partner in this voluntary program.”