10.08.15

Hoeven, Heitkamp, Cramer and Dalrymple Unveil Agenda for 2015 Great Plains & EmPower ND Energy Conference

Speakers, Panelists Will Focus on Global Oil and Gas Outlook, State and National Energy Policy

BISMARCK, N.D.  – Senators John Hoeven and Heidi Heitkamp, Congressman Kevin Cramer and Governor Jack Dalrymple today announced the agenda for the ninth annual Great Plains & EmPower ND Energy Conference. The daylong, premier energy conference will be held October 13, 2015, at the National Energy Center of Excellence at Bismarck State College. The conference 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. Speakers and panels will focus on the global oil and gas outlook, renewable energy integration, statewide and national energy policy and new technologies.

“Our state’s energy industry is leading the nation and helping us produce more energy, more efficiently and with better environmental stewardship,” said Hoeven, Heitkamp, Cramer and Dalrymple. “The Great Plains and EmPower ND Energy Conference brings together leading voices in the energy industry to ensure that our state continues to thrive and succeed now and in the future.”  

The keynote address will be given by ConocoPhillips Chief Economist Marianne Kah, who is responsible for developing market outlooks for oil and natural gas, as well as conducting regional and special strategic studies. Kah has studied the changing dynamics to navigate business decisions in 27 countries. In this presentation, Kah will share her analysis, as well as solutions and threats to long-term planning for North Dakota and the nation.

The full agenda below is subject to change:

Morning Session

8:05 am     Welcome

Kari Knudson, VP National Energy Center of Excellence, Bismarck State College                                                         

8:10 am     All of the Above: The Big Picture in State and National Energy Policy

United States Senator John Hoeven

United States Senator Heidi Heitkamp

Congressman Kevin Cramer

North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple

Moderator: Niles Hushka – Chief Executive Officer, KLJ

North Dakota has an abundance of natural resources, strong financial reserves, 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.

9:20 am     Media Availability w/ Delegation, Governor and Keynote Speakers

BSC National Energy Center of Excellence                                            

9:50 am     Global Oil and Gas: What’s North Dakota Got To Do With It?

Marianne Kah, Chief Economist, ConocoPhillips

Introduced by Kari Cutting, Vice President, North Dakota Petroleum Council

The market is up, down, holding steady, riding a roller coaster, or all of the above simultaneously. What’s really the case once you look beyond the sensational headlines? Responsible for the market outlooks of the world’s largest independent exploration and production company, Ms. Kah has studied the changing dynamics to navigate business decisions in 27 countries. In this presentation, Ms. Kah will share her analysis, as well as solutions and threats to long-term planning for North Dakota and the nation.

11:00 am    North Dakota’s Response to 111(d)

Dave Glatt, Chief of Environmental Health, North Dakota Department of Health

Jason Bohrer, President and CEO, Lignite Energy Council

Wayne Stenehjem, Attorney General, North Dakota

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

Released in August 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued final rules for its Clean Power Plan, which gave North Dakota a 45 percent carbon dioxide emissions reduction target, up from the previous year’s proposal of 11 percent. Panelists in this session will share how the state’s key stakeholders are grappling with compliance, legality, and implementation in the face of a surprising jump in its emissions goals.

12:00 pm   Lunch

Afternoon Session

1:00 pm     Reliability, Efficiency and Sustainability in Federal Regulations

Tony Clark, Commissioner, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Introduced by Wade Boeshans, President & General Manager of BNI Coal, Ltd.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission‘s mission is to assist consumers in obtaining energy services at a reasonable cost through regulatory and market means. Hear from Commissioner Clark on how the Commission works toward its goals and regulates the interstate transmission of electricity, natural gas and oil.

2:15 pm     North Dakota’s Energy Innovation Renaissance

Mike Jones, VP of Research and Development, Lignite Energy Council

Paul Steffes, President and CEO, Steffes Corporation

David Morton, VP of Operations & Safety, FlightScan Corporation

Moderator: Dale Niezwaag, Sr. Legislative Representative, Basin Electric Power

North Dakota is a hub of diverse natural resources and an incubator for emerging, value-added technologies. Learn more about the state’s important role in the innovation economy and how policy contributes or hinders successful deployment.

3:30 pm    Conference Wrap-up

Al Anderson – Commissioner, North Dakota Department of Commerce                                

The 2015 Great Plains & EmPower ND Energy Conference will be on Tuesday, October 13 at the National Energy Center of Excellence at Bismarck State College.

Visit www.energynd.com/events/ for additional information and to register. Pre-registration is $95 online through noon on Friday, October 9 and $115 at the door. Same day registration begins at 7:30 am. 

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