Settlement offers from energy companies rejected

North Dakota – Settlement offers from energy companies that owe North Dakota for unpaid oil and gas royalties have been rejected on a panel led by Republican North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.

The Land Board met with companies lawyers in order to discuss the settlement offers.

The money owed to North Dakota is in “the hundreds of millions” and most of it will be used in public education, says land commissioner Jodi Smith.

This year, Burgum approved legislation that reduces the amount of interest and penalties the state may charge firms for unpaid royalties.

Burgum has refused to give a comment on the offers.