North Dakota lawmakers mulling tax exemption for natural gas

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — More than one-third of natural gas produced in the state goes up in smoke as wasted byproduct of oil production.

The House Taxation and Finance Committee is slated to discuss a bill Tuesday that would give energy companies a tax exemption if they utilize or capture natural gas.

Oil companies in North Dakota already can flare natural gas for a year without paying taxes or royalties on it.