UPDATE 11/7/2013- It sounds like the mayor’s race will not be headed to a recount, but a city council race could.
Flathead Beacon: Libby Mayor’s Race Could Head to Recount
The Libby mayoral race could head to a recount after incumbent Doug Roll beat challenger Allen Olsen by just 13 votes on Tuesday night.
Olsen told Beacon he would look into a recount on Wednesday morning. According to unofficial election results, Roll received 290 votes and Olsen received 277.
Meanwhile, how did the elections in Colorado and Washington fare when it comes to energy and natural resources jobs?
Politico’s Morning Energy has this:
COAL EXPORT OPPONENTS WIN IN WASHINGTON: Several candidates thought to be opposed to coal exports won seats on the Whatcom County Council in Washington State yesterday in a closely watched – but little-known – energy-related election. Environmental groups made a big deal out of the election (and coal export supporters followed suit, with both sides throwing down major dough) because the Whatcom County Council, sometime in the next few years, will likely have a say in approving a proposed coal export terminal to ship coal from Western states to Asia. The council isn’t the only entity weighing in on the project, but it could potentially put a stop to it. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer called the outcome ‘bad news for Big Coal.’ More of their coverage: http://bit.ly/1iLNzyr
Fracking bans get mixed reception: Some proposed moratoriums or bans on fracking in towns in Colorado and Ohio won majorities while others failed last night – with margins varying from wide to razor-thin. The Colorado cities of Boulder, Fort Collins and Lafayette cleared anti-fracking measures. The ballot measure in Broomfield, Colo., was extremely close into the early morning, but appeared headed for defeat (the latest results are here: http://bit.ly/1finDdG). Denver Business Journal has more on Colorado’s results: http://bit.ly/186TVDx. In Ohio, an anti-fracking proposal was voted down in Youngstown, while in Bowling Green, an attempt to create a ‘citizen’s bill of rights’ calling for, among other things, clean air and water was voted down – though the town’s council unanimously voted to ban fracking there back in September.
When it comes to the votes on the fracking bans, here’s a statement fromfrom Tisha Schuller, President and CEO, Colorado Oil & Gas Association:
“The close election in Broomfield proves that common sense prevails in mainstream Colorado communities when it comes to energy production. In Broomfield, which was the only true swing community contemplating an energy ballot measure, the voters unofficially defeated an energy ban by 13 votes; the ban would have overturned tough and sensible energy regulations passed by the city council last September.
There was also a victory in the hearts and minds of voters in Fort Collins, where 44% of the voters recognized that the proposed five-year energy ban jeopardizes their community. During the course of the campaign, Ft. Collins City Council passed a resolution recommending voters there not support the energy ban. The Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce opposed the ban, and the Fort Collins Coloradoan editorialized against the measure.
Boulder and Lafayette were nothing more than symbolic votes. Lafayette’s last new well permit was in the early 1990’s and Boulder’s last oil and gas well was plugged in 1999.
This election represents round one with many more rounds to come. These elections mobilized community members to educate their neighbors, and our support of their efforts is just beginning. Coloradans overwhelmingly support ongoing oil and gas development. We will continue mobilizing and educating our neighbors on the safety and importance of our industry. We will continue to stand with the communities that support over 100,000 Colorado families who rely on the oil and gas industry for their livelihood.
We appreciate those who voted against the bans, those who mobilized to educate voters in their communities, and those who supported oil and gas families. We look forward to continuing the discussion around Colorado’s energy development.”