10.06.14

Hoeven, Heitkamp, Cramer and Dalrymple Unveil Agenda for 2014 Great Plains & Empower ND Energy Conference

Bismarck Conference Will Address Global Energy Market, Traditional & Renewable Development, Public Policy

BISMARCK, N.D. – Senators John Hoeven and Heidi Heitkamp, Congressman Kevin Cramer and Governor Jack Dalrymple today announce the agenda for the eighth annual Great Plains & EmPower ND Energy Conference. The daylong, premier energy conference will be held October 14, 2014, at the National Energy Center of Excellence at Bismarck State College. The conference, which is hosted by North Dakota’s congressional delegation and governor, Bismarck State College, Great Plains Energy Corridor, KLJ and the North Dakota Department of Commerce, will feature policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs and industry leaders.

“By bringing together a wide range of stakeholders, the 8th annual Great Plains & EmPower ND Energy Conference will help us to highlight our state’s all-of-the-above approach to energy development, meet the challenges of growth, remain at the cutting-edge of the efficient and responsible energy production and drive home the need to bring our state’s approach to the national level,” Hoeven, Heitkamp, Cramer and Dalrymple said. “A decade ago, we created Empower North Dakota, the state’s first comprehensive energy plan, and worked to build a strong business climate. Today, North Dakota has become the second largest oil and gas producing state in the country while developing other sources of renewable energy – a true model for the nation. We need to continue that tradition with farsighted conferences like this.”

Highlights include:

  • Acclaimed author and journalist, Robert Bryce will share his perspective on why coal, oil and gas will continue to dominate the global energy mix, and how innovation in everything from engines and drilling to solar and storage will prolong America’s energy revolution for decades to come. Bryce has been writing about energy business since 1989 and is a senior fellow of the Center for Energy Policy and the Environment at the Manhattan Institute.
  • Executive Director of the Energy & Environment Initiative at Rice University Charles McConnell will speak on initiatives that are being done to reduce the carbon footprint of traditional fuels and to prepare futures leaders with a holistic view of the big energy picture. McConnell leads Rice University’s integration of science, engineering, economic analysis, policy and social sciences to address the diverse issues and challenges associated with energy security, affordability and environmental sustainability and previously served as the Assistant Secretary of Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy.
  • President and CEO for Institute for 21st Century Energy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Karen Alderman Harbert will speak on how U.S. oil production can be considered an increasingly important aspect of national security and a hedge against increasing demand and uncertainty in global markets. Harbert leads the Institute’s efforts to develop its comprehensive Energy Works for U.S. platform and build support for meaningful energy action nationally and internationally through policy development, education and advocacy. She previously served as Assistant Secretary for Policy and International Affairs at the U.S. Department of Energy and also as the Deputy Assistant Administrator for Latin America and the Caribbean at the U.S. Agency for International Development.

The full agenda below is subject to change:

Morning Session

8:00 am Welcome

David Clark, Interim President, Bismarck State College

8:05 am All of the Above: The Big Picture in State and National Energy Policy

North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple

United States Senator John Hoeven

United States Senator Heidi Heitkamp

Congressman Kevin Cramer

Moderator: Niles Hushka – Chief Executive Officer, KLJ

North Dakota has an abundance of natural resources, money in the bank and access to lawmakers that’s unheard of in other states. Hear the state’s top leaders respond to attendee-submitted questions and how they’re working together for a sustainable, economically-sound and responsible path forward in energy development.

9:30 am Networking Break

9:45 am The Second American Century: How America’s Energy Wealth – in Everything from Shale and Coal to Solar and Batteries – Assures U.S. Competitiveness

Robert Bryce – Author, Journalist and Senior Fellow, Manhattan Institute

Introduction by Kari Knudson – Vice President of BSC National Energy Center of Excellence

Acclaimed author and journalist Robert Bryce has been writing about the energy business since 1989. Hear Bryce share his perspective on why coal, oil and gas will continue to dominate the global energy mix, and how innovation in everything from engines and drilling to solar and storage will prolong America’s energy revolution for decades to come.

10:45 am Technology Advancements in the Bakken

John Arrell – Business Development Manager, Alliant Techsystems Operations (ATK)

Jeremy Dockter – Co-Founder & Managing Director, Expansion Energy LLC

Philip Fusacchia – Last Mile Fueling Program Manager, GE

Moderator: Kari Cutting – Vice President, North Dakota Petroleum Council

North Dakota’s Bakken is an ideal site to employ cutting edge innovations. With water resources at a premium, learn how some companies are exploring methods of hydraulic fracturing that reduce water use. And follow up on progress of a localized system to turn what-would-be-flared natural gas into valuable liquids.

11:45 am Lunch

Afternoon Session

12:45 pm America’s New Energy Paradigm

Karen Alderman Harbert – President and Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for 21st Century Energy

Introduction by Maria Effertz Hanson – Communications, Hess North Dakota

For the last 40 years, energy policymakers were focused on managing a scarce resource; today, we are on the cusp of an unprecedented energy abundance. As China, India, Brazil and the Middle East emerge as major and growing oil consuming countries, the increasing production of unconventional oil and energy sources in the U.S. takes on added significance. Hear how U.S. oil production can be considered an increasingly important aspect of national security and a hedge against increasing demand and uncertainty in global markets.

1:45 pm Bridging Research and Innovations in Energy Development

Charles McConnell – Executive Director of the Energy & Environment Initiative at Rice University

Introduction by David Straley – Director External Affairs, North American Coal Corporation

Rice University views sustainable energy development as a multiple disciplinary approach that ties together social and natural sciences, public policy, engineering, business and humanities. Hear more about initiatives that are being done to reduce the carbon footprint of traditional fuels and to prepare futures leaders with a holistic view of the big energy picture.

2:45 pm Networking Break

3:00 pm North Dakota’s Natural Gas Revolution

William Gilliam – CEO, Badlands NGL’s, LLC

Patrick Hughes – Chief Executive Officer, Prairie Companies and North Dakota LNG

Dennis Haider – Executive Vice President Business Development, MDU Resources

Moderator: Mark Nisbet – Principal Manager of North Dakota, Xcel Energy

As natural gas production continues to soar in North Dakota, the opportunities match pace. Learn more about strategies that companies are using to capitalize on the state’s natural gas production and reduce flaring.

4:00 pm Conference Wrap-up

Al Anderson – Commissioner, North Dakota Department of Commerce

The 2014 Great Plains & EmPower ND Energy Conference will be on October 14 at the National Energy Center of Excellence at Bismarck State College.

Visit http://info.bismarckstate.edu/greatplains/ for additional information and to register. Pre-registration is $95 online and $115 at the door. Same day registration begins at 7:30 am.