Energy Research Publications

Minerals have been a foundation of civilization for millennia. And more recent times have seen the reliance on mechanized, high volume, mining of minerals of all kinds grow. This report presents the findings of an analysis of the socio-economic contributions of the gold operations of Sibanye-Stillwater in South Africa to the national economy. Using actual data and operating information from 2023, and an economic model of the South African economy that is designed and calibrated for this purpose, we were able to estimate how the economy would look in the absence of the company?s substantial gold mining, processing, and refining operations in the country.

The findings of this report are that the operations of the crude oil-based and renewable fuel refineries in Great Falls by the Calumet Montana Refineries and MR subsidiaries of Calumet Specialty Products ultimately support a state economy that has significantly more jobs, income, production and population.

To say that the minerals, metals, fuels and compounds that come out of the ground are what make the economy run and modern life possible is not an overstatement. From the complexity of miniaturized microchips to the simplicity of a concrete foundation, mining products are ubiquitous across the spectrum of products we consume and produce. Yet the physical distances between the mines where these raw materials are produced and the urban areas where most people live obscure this connection for many. Thus the mining industry, in Montana and elsewhere, has always faced challenges in securing political support for its continued operations as well as planned expansions. This report does not wade in to the political debate over the Montana mining industry?s current and future activities, except to offer evidence on one aspect of the mining industry?s presence in our state ? the contribution of hard rock mining activity here to the size, scope, and prosperity of the Montana economy.

This is a study of the economic contributions of the three facilities owned and operated by the metal mining company Sibanye-Stillwater in Sweet Grass and Stillwater Counties in south central Montana. The company?s Montana facilities, which include two mines and a concentrator and recycling facility in Columbus, jointly constitute one of the largest private sector employers in the state, whose 1,978 jobs paid average compensation in excess of $151,000 per year in 2021. The growth in the company?s core business, and the potential for continued growth into the future, merit the update to the BBER assessment of its economic footprint contained in this report. Our basic finding is that the size and scope of the company?s Montana operations have grown significantly since the BBER last studied its economic impact based on 2019 operations.

Farming and Ranching: Navigating Another Drought By George Haynes and Kate Fuller
Forest Products: COVID-19 Hangover Impacts Wood Products By Steven Hayes and Todd A. Morgan
Energy Montana's Energy and Minerals Future By Bill Whitsitt
Manufacturing: Shipping and Supply Chain Are Big Concerns By Robert Sonora
Travel, Tourism and Recreation: Staffing Shortages Cause Concern By Jeremy Sage
Health Care: COVID-19 Drives Exodus of Health Care Workers By Robert Sonora
Real Estate and Construction: Boom or Bubble? By Derek Sheehan
Transportation and Logistics: The Roller Coaster Ride Continues By Simona Stan
Technology and Innovation: Pandemic Has Not Slowed Montana's Growing Tech Sector By Christina Quick Henderson

The purpose of the Montana World Trade Center International Trade and Investment Survey is to illuminate key characteristics of Montana businesses that engage in international trade. These characteristics demonstrate the importance of international trade to the Montana economy in terms of jobs produced, wages paid and revenue generated. The findings of this survey also provide information that business and government decision makers can use to grow our international trade portfolio.

Farming and Ranching - A Year of Volatile Commodity Prices and Near-Record Stimulus Payments Forest Products - Montana Wood Products in the Time of COVID-19 Energy - The COVID-19 Recession Impacts Prices Manufacturing - Continued Growth Is Interrupted by the Pandemic Travel, Tourism and Recreation - Crowds Flock To Montana During COVID Summer Transportation and Logistics - 2020 Was a Year of Disruption Health Care - COVID-19 Alters Health Care Landscape Technology and Innovation - Remote Work, Zoom Towns and a Spotlight on Biotech Real Estate and Construction - The Seller's Market Continues

This article looks at nine of Montana's key industries; Farming and Ranching: Price Declines and Exports Make for a Challenging Year, Forest Products: Positive Signs for Montana, Energy: What to Watch for in 2020, Manufacturing: Montana Outpaces Nation as a Whole, Travel, Tourism and Recreation: Nonresident Visitation Stable, Health Care: The Impact of Medicaid Expansion, Transportation and Logistics: A Shortage of Drivers Continues to Cause Concern, Technology and Innovation: Record Revenue, Jobs and Venture Capital Investment, Real Estate and Construction: Housing Markets Lack Inventory.

Montanans use more energy per capita than consumers in most other states and we spend more per person on energy overall.

What will be the economic impact of the early retirement of Units 3 and 4 of the coal-fired Colstrip Electric Generating Station?

This study examines the implications of closing Units 3 and 4 of the Colstrip Electric Generating Station early. Specifically, we examine the consequences for jobs, income, population, economic output and other measures of economic activity.

The 2017 Economic Outlook Seminar covered a wide range of sectors and topics from job growth to energy and tourism. In this round table discussion, we highlight some of those topics and industries in an effort to better understand the state?s economic climate.

The U.S. oil and natural gas industries had a tough year in 2015. Excesses in world production, political unrest and new technologies all contributed to the variability in oil, and to some degree, natural gas prices.

Prime topics of conversation in Sidney and throughout the Bakken area are the latest rumors and speculations about the price of oil. Some people are wondering what the impact of the drop of the price of oil by 50 percent since mid-2014 will do to the economies of Eastern Montana. But it is not just the people living within 50 miles of the Montana-North Dakota line who should be concerned because the economic impacts will be felt far from the drilling and extraction sites.

A wide-ranging discussion covering economic topics of interest. The discussions include: the Economy, Healthcare, Tourism and Recreation, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Forest Products, Housing, and Energy. A panel of industry experts and economists provide their responses to important questions regarding Montana?s economy.

The new shale energy revolution has been an economic boon to manufacturers, with lower energy costs having a major impact on the industry. And worldwide trends that have caused manufacturers to move their operations offshore - low wages in developing countries and lower energy costs - are beginning to trend the other way.

As we assess Montana's economy, new data call into question two trends: the stronger than average performance of our state economic and the natural resource boom that has played such an important part in that performance. There are signs that grow in Montana's economy has been slowing, and it's important to take these trends into account.

It's not just people in energy industries who are benefiting from the oil boom. Workers in industries such as construction, professional services, and accommodations now have great employment opportunities and higher wages.

In 2005, less than 2 percent of U.S. crude oil was produced through horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing. In 2013, the share was more than a third, and it continues to grow rapidly. The increases in gas production are no less startling. For a state like Montana, which sites astride the Bakken formation, it has been a sea change for the entire economy.

Bureau of Business and Economic Research's Annual report for fiscal 2012 - 2013 details the activities and finances for the year. Each of the BBER's programs are reviewed and various research projects and publications are highlighted.

North Dakota is experiencing an oil boom that has increased total U.S. oil production as well as sheltered the state from the economic impacts of the Great Recession. Montana doesn't have as much oil development activity as North Dakota, but is experiencing impacts of the development in Western North Dakota.

Announces the report "The Impact of Otter Creek Coal Development on the Montana Economy" by Patrick Barkey and Paul Polzin. Includes highlights of the study results.

The BBER's Forest Industry Research Program is helping scientists determine whether they can develop ways to turn one of the region's most plentiful and underused commodities, wood waste, into jet fuel.

Newly released county population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau show significant growth in Montana's northeastern oil patch.

Q & A with Bureau economists and industry experts throughout the state about the latest economic trends and forecasts, as well as the outlook for Montana's important sectors.

Both coal and oil production have experienced ups and downs during the past decade. Even so, generally rising prices have meant that the contributions from the energy industries have been a growing contributor to state government revenues.

Announcing the Bureau's new Natural Resources and Energy Program that examines the trends, issues, and factors affecting the outlook for the energy sector in Montana.

According to the report, "The Economic Impact of Increased Production at the Spring Creek Mine," commissioned by the Montana Chamber of Commerce, a proposed increase of coal production by 20 million tons at the mine owned by Cloud Peak Energy would more than double output at the facility and require expansion in capital and equipment, labor force and new purchases of resources such as electricity and work uniforms.

From 2000 to 2006, Montana's oil production more than doubled. Montana's geologic setting has long provided opportunities for successful exploration and development activities, and new technology has opened up billions of barrels of oil in the Bakken.