Coming Soon to a State Park Near You: Oil Drilling?

Source: MSNBC, Harriet Baskas (6/7/11)

"Cash-strapped state parks across the country are exploring some controversial options to stay open this summer."

MSNBC, Harriet Baskas

Cash-strapped state parks across the country are exploring some controversial options to stay open this summer, from relying heavily on volunteers to charging entrance fees to allowing oil and gas drilling on park land.

In Ohio, the legislature is poised to approve a bill that would open up state parks to drilling. Lawmakers say drilling revenues could provide much-needed funds for state parks.

"This puts a whole new spin on 'getting away from it all,'" Jack Shaner of the Ohio Environmental Council said in a statement when the measure was first passed by the State House Committee.

In California, Gov. Jerry Brown recently announced plans to permanently close 70 of the state's 278 parks in the fall. In Washington state, where park operating budgets no longer receive state funds, a new $10 a day entrance fee goes into effect on July 1.

Elsewhere, volunteers have been recruited to mow grass and plow snow at state parks. In Aurora, N.Y., the local government now pays for the portable toilet at Knox Farm State Park. At Idaho's Farragut State Park near Coeur d'Alene, revenue is generated not only from entrance fees but from selling discs to park visitors who use the Frisbee golf course.

"We've put all of our eggs in the marketing basket," Richard Just, the chief planner at the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation and immediate past president of National Association of Recreation Resource Planners, told the Times. "We're paying a lot more attention to—and I hate this phrase—running them like a business, because they're not a business."

Option Partner to Continue Operations at Energy Firm's Texas Oil & Gas Project
Source: Streetwise Reports (01/23/2021)

The efforts will meet Torchlight Energy Resources' development requirements at Hazel.

Target Price Raised on Energy Firm Making 'Transformative Acquisition'
Source: Streetwise Reports (01/06/2021)

The terms and benefits of Earthstone Energy's purchase of an oil and gas company, an "eye-catching act of deal making," are presented in a ROTH Capital Partners report.

Energy Firm to Combine with Materials, Nanocomposites Company
Source: Streetwise Reports (12/16/2020)

Torchlight Energy Resources sees the transaction providing its shareholders "access to the multibillion-dollar markets that Metamaterial serves."

Oil & Gas Producer Reports on Thailand Operations
Source: Streetwise Reports (12/02/2020)

Pan Orient Energy Corp. reports on continuing drill operations in Thailand.

Energy Company Boosts Thailand Oil Production, Offers 'Low Risk Production Growth'
Source: Streetwise Reports (11/19/2020)

The highlights of Pan Orient Energy's third quarter are presented in a Mackie Research Capital Corp. report.

Texas Oil & Gas Firm to Sell Its Stake in Delaware Basin Project
Source: Streetwise Reports (11/18/2020)

For its interest, Torchlight Energy Resources is to receive $350,000.

Oil & Gas Firm Reports Q3 Operational, Financial Results
Source: Streetwise Reports (11/16/2020)

Pan Orient Energy and its joint venture partner continue producing and selling oil from its L53 Concession in Thailand, which are funding ongoing exploration work there.

Texas Oil & Gas Explorer Completes Fracking of Midland Basin Well
Source: Streetwise Reports (11/11/2020)

The next step for Torchlight Energy's well at Hazel is flowback, which is to start next week.

Altus Midstream Shares Flow Higher on Q3 Earnings and Plans for $1.50/Share Dividend in Q1/21
Source: Streetwise Reports (11/05/2020)

Shares of Altus Midstream Co. traded 170% higher after the firm reported Q3/20 financial results and announced plans to pay a quarterly dividend of $1.50 per share beginning in March 2021.