Commissioners appointed to oversee Idaho oil and natural gas

The final three members of the Idaho Oil and Gas Conservation Commission have been named.

Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter earlier this week appointed geologist Renee Breedlovestrout of the University of Idaho and Gem County landowner and petroleum engineer Kevin Dickey.

Petroleum exploration geologist Jim Classen, who was on the previous commission, was also named to the new commission.

The five-member commission also includes Idaho Department of Lands Director Tom Schultz and Payette County Commissioner Marc Shigeta.

The appointments follow efforts by lawmakers at this year’s legislative session to improve oversight of the industry as expected windfalls of oil and gas money to state coffers and landowners have failed to happen despite several years of production.