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MHA NATION CLEAN FUELS REFINERY
Download Refinery PowerPoint Presentation | View Draft EIS
Testimonials: Tex G. Hall | Bruce
R. Carlson | Mervin Packineau | Ward County
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara (MHA) Nation propose to construct a 15,000 barrels per stream day (BPSD) petroleum refinery on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation near the town of Makoti, Ward County, North Dakota.
The existing refineries in the United States at the time they were built did not have the technology available to meet the current Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. So, they have to invest substantial capital to refurbish their existing equipment to be in compliance with the EPA.
The MHA refinery will be a new state of the art refinery that will be able to meet current and proposed EPA regulations. The refinery will be the most technologically advanced refinery in the United States and be able to make the cleanest gasoline and diesel in the country that can be used in all existing vehicles.
Gasoline and diesel specifications for sulfur are presently up to 300 parts per million (ppm). When the clean fuels refinery comes on stream, it will produce product with less
than 10 ppm sulfur thereby reducing emissions by as much as 90 %. So, the clean fuels production from the new refinery is urgently needed and will be welcomed in the market place.
The refinery operation has been designed to keep air and water emissions within EPA requirements. Process heaters will use clean burners to keep nitrous oxide (Nox) emissions below 10 ppm at the source.
Water usage will be minimized through the use of air fin coolers. The project has the advantage of using the most current technology available.
The refinery will be a welcome addition to the industrial inventory of North Dakota by providing the much-needed fuels for daily living at a substantially reduced level of pollution than we have today.
The refinery project will employ 600-1,000 positions during the construction phase which will take approximately 24 months to complete. There will be approximately 65 permanent jobs with additional jobs created in the local service industry.
The financial benefits from the refinery will affect all surrounding communities by providing jobs as well as improving the living standards on the reservation from the profits which will be generated.
TRAINING PROGRAM
The Fort Berthold Community College (FBCC) has started a training program for the refinery called Energy Technology. After completion of this two-year program, students will earn an Associate of Science in Refining Processing and be able to work at the new MHA Refinery.
The Energy Technology Program at FBCC consists of 48 technical credits along with 21 general education credits. Program completers receive an Associate Degree in Applied Science in Energy Technology.
The program is designed to provide education for students who desire employment in many energy related areas, a special emphasis is placed on refinery operation training.
Graduates of the program are prepared for entry level positions as plant operators
At the completion of the Spring Semester 2006 Fort Berthold Community College has 17 successful graduates of the Energy Technology Program.
COMMENTS
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"This is a positive venture for our tribe."
Mary Price - White Shield |
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"The proposed refinery will offer employment opportunities for many local citizens. The environmentally safe refinery will be an asset to the local business districts and school systems. It will indeed be a blessing for the entire Fort Berthold community."
Lee Husfloen - Instructor |
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"I look forward to having a type of industry here on Fort Berthold that provides good paying jobs and a career."
Terry Fredericks - Twin Buttes |
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"I decided to go to college in the exciting field of energy technology. As an enrolled member of the Three Affiliated Tribes I feel we are embarking on an exciting adventure into the world of energy. There hasn't been an oil refinery built in the United States in over 30 years. To be Native American and a member of this tribe, I feel it would be an honor to represent our nation in this endeavor. I feel that working in a tribally owned business such as this would be a great example to our Native American children. I think it would show that we as Indian people are capable of great things in this day and age. That we are able to compete on a National level and that we are important in energy. I feel that working in this field would show our children that there are other opportunities in this area of North Dakota. So by obtaining my education in Energy Technology, I feel I would accomplish my goals in representing my tribe in the world of energy and set a good example for our children.
Jennifer Krueger - Parshall |
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"Having this refinery is going to bring a lot of jobs and build up the economy in the surrounding area."
Kathleen Humphrey - New Town |
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"I think that this is an interesting project that will create employment opportunities in the area."
Karen Giesen - Parshall |
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"We need the jobs that the refinery will bring to the area."
Marlene Hovda - Plaza |
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"I still respect Mother Earth."
Denver Spotted Bear - Shell Creek |
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"This is a positive venture for our tribe."
Clayton Lapierre - Halliday |
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"The refinery will create good quality jobs that will be close to home."
Kenny Weesner - Twin Buttes |
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"I think the refinery is a very good thing for the people. It will bring jobs and employment to the people that will be close to home."
Randy Kindel -Welding Instructor |
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"It will be good for the economy of New Town and the surrounding area. The jobs that the refinery will bring will have higher wages."
Sharon Danks - New Town |
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" The refinery is good for the community. We are really happy the classes are at Fort Berthold Community College, close to home. My brother and I were going to attend college in Bismarck if we had to get these courses."
Todd and Kevin Moquino and Claude Ten Bears - New Town |
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"It is a good opportunity for the tribe to be more self sufficient."
Carroll Howling Wolf and Lois Chapin - New Town |
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" The Clean Fuels Refinery will have a major economic impact on the surrounding community. For the past 20 years we have faced a decreasing population base, largely because of a lack of good paying stable jobs in the region. We have here an opportunity to significantly boost the economy on the Fort Berthold Reservation both during the construction and operations phase of the refinery. Every dollar which the plant will bring into the local economy through payrolls and other revenue, will roll over an average of five times in the local businesses. The educational programs currently being offered at FBCC, both in Energy Technology Operations and dealing with Environmental Training and Awareness will prepare a well educated workforce to operate the state of the art, environmentally safe, clean fuels refinery in the most efficient and environmentally sound manner in the world!
Rick Kerzman - Instructor |
'The refinery will bring positive economic development for the town of Makoti and the surrounding area"
Makoti Mayor Lori Ostrem
" We at the Makoti Development Corporation support the Three Affiliated Tribes building an oil refinery two miles west of Makoti."
James Stafslien - Makoti Development Corporation President
"The MHA Nation Clean Fuels Refinery in not only a benefit for the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation but also the state of North Dakota and ultimately the United States. There has not been a true grass roots refinery built in the United States in 30 years. Technology is at the point where we can build this refinery and follow NEPA and EPA regulations. As a former petroleum geologist for the Department of Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs Central Office located in Washington, D.C. I had many opportunities to work with various tribes across the country on oil and gas issues. Chairman Tex Hall of the Three Affiliated Tribes realized what a tremendous opportunity a crude oil refinery would be after he heard the refinery presentation in Washington. I commend Chairman Hall and The Three Affiliated Tribes Business Council for having the courage and the vision to pursue the refinery project and take this brave step forward entering into the Petroleum Refining Industry. As American Indians, we are fully aware of our culture and the environment but we know that in this day and age, we also need economic development. We can continue to be stewards of the Earth, and achieve balance between science and nature."
Horace Pipe - Makoti
MHA Refinery Project Manager
Current Specifications For Gasoline Emissions
300 parts per million sulfur content by weight
 1 Car = 300 ppm
Some Refineries Have Achieved 150 ppm
2 Cars = 300 ppm
CLEAN FUELS REFINERY 10 ppm
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