Author: GTD Group (Page 16 of 23)

The first step we can take it is to conduct a self-audit of our own personal energy use. For example, in my most recent book, America Needs America’s Energy, I provide a sample copy of a standard report that homeowners in metro Nashville receive following a voluntary in-home energy evaluation (audit). This Energy Action Plan shows participants the projected energy savings associated with each recommended measure.

Following that, I have provided Personal Energy Evaluation Journal forms for the years 2012 through 2016. The idea is to create your own personal energy plan for 2012 or 2013 based on the evaluation and then develop it for the next five years. For instance, your goal for 2013 may be to convert your car to CNG. At the end of 2013 or 2014 depending when you begin the process, you can check to see if you have met your goals. If not, you can either adjust your goals for the next few years, or list the steps needed to achieve your personal energy goals in the near future. You may want to include others to this initial planning stage, such as your family, your company or your organization.

Together, We, the People, Can Create the People’s Energy Plan! www.peoplesenergyplan.com

My last week’s column focused on Robert Hefner III’s book entitled ‘The GET” (The Grand Energy Transition). This week’s column highlights the importance of natural gas to Oklahoma and to our Nation.

Oklahoma is one of the top natural gas producing States in the Nation. Its economic impact is so important to our State:

For example, Oklahoma received over $1.07 billion in gross production tax dollars from crude oil and natural gas in 2006 alone. There are over 60,000 employees and approximately 250,000 jobs in Oklahoma due to the Natural Gas Industry. And the total impact of the oil and gas industry is approx. $23 billion dollars a year.

More than a dozen of the 100 largest natural gas fields in the U. S. are found in Oklahoma. Natural gas in the State is used primarily for electricity generation and industrial sectors. About 1/3 of the State’s natural gas is consumed within the State. The remaining balance is sent via pipeline to neighboring States.

Oklahoma has the opportunity of being the “Center for Energy Excellence” both nationally and globally.

We need to strengthen our support of the Natural Gas Industry in a time of much needed transition. Therefore, working to attract oil and gas energy companies that are out of State to relocate to Oklahoma, making sure we have the proper incentives in place, i.e.
tax structure, tax credits, infrastructures, and other incentives.

We need to support Advocacy, getting the message to all consumers of the importance of natural gas. And we need to take the lead in developing a national comprehensive energy plan.

We need to support efforts for Education, i.e. research and development, technological advancement, providing training, developing manpower and so on. Bottom-line:
We need to become the Center for Energy Excellence both nationally and globally.

This is Oklahoma’s time to take action and become not just a leader but The Leader in energy research and development, training, advocacy and education. Thanks to all those involved with the Natural Gas Industry for your commitment to providing energy for decades to come!

Please send your comments, topic suggestions, and questions to me. My email is mark@thegtdgroup.com. America Needs America’s Energy and Together, We can make a difference!

My last column focused on the importance of fellow Oklahoman Robert Hefner III’s contribution to our energy past, present, and future.

This column highlights Robert Hefner III’s book entitled “The GET” (Grand Energy Transition).

The book has brought national and international attention.

Ted Turner purchased several hundred copies of Hefner’s book and had them distributed to Congressmen and Fortune 500 executives. Turner states about the book “if you care about the future you must read this book”.

Donald J. Trump states, “As a successful businessman and international real estate developer, I know the economic and environmental importance of energy. Robert Hefner, with over fifty years of hands-on experience in the complex world of energy production, consumption, and politics has written a groundbreaking book that cuts through the confusion and shows us a clear, common sense path forward. His concept that The Grand Energy Transition is choosing the energy winners is critically important. America does not have time for energy losers.”

Having been in the natural gas industry for over thirty-five years, it is my strong opinion that this book is a must read. This nation needs America’s Natural Gas! In fact, already in Los Angeles, I have seen first-hand how natural gas is making an impact. I have seen running up and down the busy streets of Los Angeles the nation’s largest fleet of buses run on compressed natural gas.

The book has twelve chapters filled with significant information and overviews about natural gas.

Our nation definitely needs to shape its energy future. Hefner provides a roadmap of how natural gas will play such a vital role.

Hefner makes the convincing case that there is an abundance of natural gas, and that it is an environmentally friendly fuel, He emphasizes that “oil has indeed begun its twilight years” and that natural gas will be a force.

Therefore, Hefner delivers the message that our energy future will be the “Age of Energy Gases” which includes solar and wind.

Hefner describes why natural gas will work. He provides historical data that supports natural gas. He points out that “America has houses, offices and industries that are already connected to America’s 2.2 million mile natural gas pipeline. And that in America 63 million are on the grid, so about 130 million cars return each night to a place where they could easily be refilled”.

He encourages consumers to look at all the opportunities that natural gas provides such as energy efficiency, economic impact, a transmission option and power generation solution.

Bottom-line, Hefner states that “natural gas is the bridge fuel to the hydrogen economy”.

Again, I encourage you to purchase his book, The Grand Energy Transition, The GET. A documentary based upon his book was released this year and has been shown in Elk City and throughout the country. It was shown on OETA, a PBS affiliate, a few weeks ago.

Please send your comments, topic suggestions, and questions to me. My email is mark@thegtdgroup.com. Together, we can make a difference!

The Past, Present and Future of Natural Gas in Oklahoma

In 1977, I began working as a petroleum landman thanks mainly to my great western Oklahoma friend Larry Wade. Larry had encouraged me visit with another great friend, Cooper West. Cooper offered me the opportunity to work for his company which launched me into the energy industry.

I did not realize at that time that some of the oil and gas leases I was purchasing would wind up as locations for some of the deepest natural gas wells not only in the Anadarko Basin of western Oklahoma but in the world (over 20,000 feet) and that natural gas would be playing a significant role in meeting the energy needs in the 21st Century.

However, the boom our industry experienced in the late 1970s and early 1980s attracted the attention of our policy makers, and there was an attempt to implement a Windfall Profits Tax. I remember being quoted in an Oklahoma City newspaper in 1980 as saying that the Windfall Profits Tax would be devastating to the energy industry. Twenty-six years later, California Proposition 87, a tax proposal on the oil and gas industry, was presented to California voters and fortunately defeated. Nevertheless, this demonstrates the lack of communication between our industry and our government.”

It is important that there be an understanding of the history of natural gas in Oklahoma especially the drilling for deep natural gas. In 1977, I began primarily purchasing oil and gas leases on behalf of The GHK Company, a company led by Robert Hefner III through Cooper West’s firm.

Robert Hefner III was the pioneer who led this Nation towards natural gas. In 1959, Hefner, age 24, founded the company. He is now known as the “Father of Natural Gas”

GHK drilled a well in western Oklahoma near Elk City, named the #1 Green well. The well was completed in 1969 to 24,473 feet. It was then the second deepest well in the world.

Along the way, Robert and his team met the challenges of “innovating the technologies”. He also had the challenge of communicating to the leaders of this country that natural gas was uneconomical to produce at controlled prices. Therefore, he led the effort to deregulate natural gas prices in the 70s. His pioneer spirit and drive are major reasons that today billions of dollars have gone into the economy.

The government stepped in after the deregulation passage with a piece of legislation that did not allow the use of natural gas for electric generation. This was a great setback to the natural gas industry.

Robert Hefner III’s drive, persistence and focus on natural gas led GHK to several countries for exploration. He founded natural gas fields not only in western Oklahoma and eastern Oklahoma but throughout the world.

He has appeared before 18 Congressional committees “testifying on natural gas pricing, deregulation, and the abundance of America’s natural gas resources”.

Today, it is vital to Oklahoma’s economy that we have a strong natural gas industry. Furthermore, it is extremely important to this Nation that we have a healthy natural gas industry.

Thanks to Robert Hefner III, a strong foundation has been established to carry on the “natural gas” torch throughout this century and beyond. In my next article, I will review with you his book, “The GET”, The Grand Energy Transition which a documentary based upon his writing has been produced. In fact, I encourage you to buy the book. It is a great read, and it is a means of better understanding the importance of natural gas.

Should you have comments, topic suggestions, and/or questions, please email me at mark@thegtdgroup.com. America Needs America’s Energy! Together, we can make a difference!

In 1993, I was asked to be a member of a four member delegation to meet with then Russian Energy Minister Yuri Shafranik. The association that coordinated the meeting was the Independent Petroleum Association of America.

The meeting took place at the Russian Embassy in Washington, D.C. Our discussion was focused on the 35,000 idle wells that existed in Russia at that time.

I observed first-hand how important an association can be in not only developing discussions but making sure there are follow-ups and plans executed. — Oklahoma has had several leaders that have had high profile positions within the IPAA: Lew Ward, Denise Bode, and many others.

Oklahoma has several energy associations/organizations that are very important to the cause of energy education. I will only highlight a few:

The Independent Petroleum Association of America, www.ipaa.org – The IPAA was founded in the summer of 1929. It has grown from a few founders to thousands of members. “Independent producers were in bad shape in 1929 and facing even more trouble times ahead. The government was encouraging oil imports. American oil reserves were plentiful, yet suspicion prevailed among federal policy makers that the United States was soon to run out of petroleum.” Though IPAA is based in Washington, D.C., Oklahomans are involved and are definitely a strong voice for the oil and natural gas industry.

Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association, www.oipa.com – The OIPA has been a strong voice for independent producers for over 50 years. The OIPA mission statement: “To enhance and protect the economic well-being of the Oklahoma independent oil and natural gas industry.”

Oklahoma Marginal Well Commission, www.ok.gov/marginalwells/ – Founded in 1992, the Governor appoints nine commissioners to the Commission. “It was formed to meet the emergency in which the State of Oklahoma found itself with the possible plugging and abandonment of more than 69,000 marginal wells which produced approximately three-fourths of all oil produced in Oklahoma.”

National Association of Royalty Owners, www.naro-us.org – Tulsa based, “The mission of NARO is to encourage and promote exploration and production of minerals in the United States while preserving, protecting, advancing, and representing the interests and rights of mineral and royalty owners through education, advocacy and assistance to our members, to NARO chapter organizations, to government bodies and to the public.”

America Needs America’s Energy!

www.peoplesenergyplan.com

The third article in the series:

I first recognized what a real force OPEC was in 1975 while working for then U. S.
Senator Dewey F. Bartlett. Senator Bartlett had asked several of his staff members
including myself to review remarks he was going to make in Norway before OPEC
officials. Only a year before, the energy industry had been deeply impacted by the 1973-
74 oil embargo. It was obvious that the energy industry and our nation’s petroleum
security would be important issues to deal with during my lifetime.

Energy Education needs to be at the forefront. The Energy Advocates www.energyadvocates.org has been a supporter of The International Energy Policy Conference since the late 90s. In the early 90s, I was becoming concerned about the future of energy along with the environment. So, in early 1992, I visited with Dr. Gus Gertsch, former head of Sarkeys Energy Center at the University of Oklahoma, about putting together an international energy conference to be held on the Norman campus.

Therefore, The International Energy Policy Conference (IEPC)
www.energypolicyconference.com was founded on October 27, 1992 on the campus of
the University of Oklahoma. I served as chairman and founder and have continued to
serve as chairman over the past twenty years. The conference’s initial theme was “Striving for Energy Efficiency and Environmental Preservation”. Each year since, we have had an annual sub-theme.

This year’s sub-theme is “Water Resources & The Future of Energy”. The conference returns to Oklahoma City and to the campus of the University of Oklahoma, October 25 and 26. You do not have to be directly involved to attend the conference as a delegate. Please go to www.energypolicyconference.com for information about attendance or call toll free 1-877-715-1917. I am hoping that we have a good number of attendees/delegates from Elk City and Western Oklahoma.

Past Honorary Conference Chairs have included Ambassador Jeanne Kirkpatrick who
served three times, Ambassador Robert Jordan (Saudi Arabia), U. S. Senator Don
Nickles, and Lt. Governor Mary Fallin. In addition to the University of Oklahoma, the conference has been held at Oklahoma State University, Denver, Dallas, Houston, Washington, D.C., Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Go to www.energypolicyconference.com to learn more.

Energy is the future of America and America Needs America’s Energy!

www.peoplesenergyplan.com

The second article in the beginning of a series:

Our national security has long been one of the most important assets we cherish. Today, nothing in America moves without energy, but the definition of energy security isn’t confined to fuel for transportation. It also extends to power generation. To be independent means not just avoiding foreign oil, but creating a forward-thinking infrastructure that provides for our lifestyle needs. Whenever we flip a switch in this country, the power for our TV, air conditioning, or light comes on. We take this energy security for granted—-an attitude that ultimately could prove dangerous for our economic and national security well-being. My book, America Needs America’s Energy explains how we can accomplish that goal.

Energy security is based on an energy plan in which we all conserve and work to determine how we will obtain more oil and gas, or wind power…or any of the other alternative sources now becoming available—-to meet the demand. It is one thing to conserve, but we still must have energy. Energy security ensures we have the reliable energy sources to meet our needs that are available within our own country as well as from friendly allies. The energy dependence we suffer from today costs us economically, in the form of high prices and lost jobs. If we develop a People’s Energy Plan, it will lead us to economic prosperity and energy security.

Energy is the future of America and America Needs America’s Energy!

www.peoplesenergyplan.com,

The first article in the beginning of a series:

Four years ago, in my book The Braking Point, I expressed my view that America and the world were facing an energy crisis, but our energy problems could be solved. I stressed that failure to deal with this problem effectively would threaten our nation’s economic prosperity, compromise our national security, and could radically alter our way of life. Today, the United States still does not have a strategic energy plan. So, in this new book America Needs America’s Energy, I advocate that, as consumers of energy, we should drive the process, evaluating how we can best leverage our natural resources here at home to ensure long-term energy independence and security. Ultimately, creating an energy plan to achieve those goals is going to be up to us.

This book is dedicated to the proposition that we need an energy revolution in this country right now, and we must be the leaders. By turning to new technologies, innovation, and the enduring American spirit that has enabled us to overcome every challenge this nation has faced since our founding, the goal of total energy independence can be achieved before it is too late. We are the ones who will have to do it, because our societal institutions have proven they are not up to the task. It is time to take a stand, evaluate your own impact on our nation, and play your part in preserving our country. Energy is the future of America and America Needs America’s Energy!

www.peoplesenergyplan.com