The 21st Annual Energy Policy Conference/Summit, was held in Tulsa at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on October 17th forty years to the day of the Arab Oil Embargo that has since made a major impact on the US energy industry and our economy.  In addition to global and domestic energy policies and issues being addressed, two areas were of specific focus:  taxes and regulations.

The reason I founded the conference in 1992 and continue to chair the annual event is that it brings stakeholders together from not only the energy sector but also concerned citizens, representatives from government, agriculture, education, business, students and others.

The tax panel was moderated by Tulsa Mayor Dewey F. Bartlett, Jr.   The panelists were Chad Warmington, President of the Mid-Continent Oil & Gas Association, Mike McDonald, Co-Owner of Triad Energy, Inc., and Bruce Heine, Director of Government Affairs for Magellan Midstream Partners.

US Congressmen James Lankford, Jim Bridenstine and Mike Pompeo addressed energy policy issues.

Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Patrice Douglas provided a legislative update.

Oklahoma Corporation Commission Chairman Patrice Douglas stated “coal is what they’re talking about now, but they’re coming after natural gas”.

The regulatory panel was moderated by Bob Tippee, Editor of the Oil and Gas Journal, Houston, Tx.  The panelists were Kurt Abraham, Executive Editor of Gulf Publishing Co./World Oil magazine, William Yeatman, Energy Policy Analyst of the Competitive Enterprise Institute, Steve Higley, Outreach Director for American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers, and Joe Craft, CEO and a Director of Alliance Resource Partners, LP.

Bob Tippee stated, “The Environmental Protection Agency is getting ready to regulate greenhouse gases in the same way it just clobbered coal.”

Oklahoma State Attorney General Scott Pruitt presented the conference with a litigation update.

Eight 2013 Energy Visionary Awards were presented at the conference:  Alliance Resource Partners CEO Joe Craft, leadership award; Helmerich & Payne CEO Hans Helmerich, lifetime achievement; Love’s Travel Stops, corporate leadership; Hutchinson Oil Co., corporate development; Oklahoma Energy Resources Board, education; Darlene Wallace of Columbus Oil Co., industry achievements; and the “Exploring Energy” radio show hosted by Shawn Wilson and Nathan Brewer, outstanding media.

Next year’s conference date and location will be announced in December.

America Needs America’s Energy now more than ever!  Together we can create the People’s Energy Plan!  www.peoplesenergyplan.com

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