Hearing Set on North Dakota Flaring Policy

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota regulators have scheduled a public hearing later this month on a new plan to reduce the flaring of natural gas in the western oil fields.

Officials with the Oil and Gas Division of the state Mineral Resources Department will hold the hearing April 22 in Bismarck. They also are accepting written comments through the close of business on April 21.

The state Industrial Commission regulates North Dakota's energy industry. The group last month endorsed a plan to cut down the amount of natural gas that's burned off and wasted as a byproduct of oil production. One provision is that oil companies can't drill a well until they craft natural gas capturing plans.

State regulators are seeking input on several matters, including exemptions and additional steps to reduce flaring.