"Conversation on Energy"
Posted Monday, January 22nd, 2007More than 350 residents of Reno and surrounding areas gathered for ‘A Townhall Meeting: A Conversation on Energy’, co-hosted by the Desert Research Institute and ConocoPhillips on January 17, 2007. 
Panelists included Kathryn Landreth, state director of the Nature Conservancy of Nevada; Jason Geddes, vice-chairman of the Nevada Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Task Force; Paul Enos, CEO of the Nevada Motor Transport Association; and Joe Leone, vice president, drilling and production, and John Lowe, executive vice president, commercial, from ConocoPhillips. The discussion was moderated by Dr Roger Jacobson, vice-president for academic affairs at the Desert Research Institute.
John Lowe began the discussion by outlining the need for this long overdue conversation on energy. As the demand for energy continues to grow in the United States, Lowe said that energy independence is simply not possible. Instead, he outlined the steps needed to achieve energy security, which will provide a stable, secure energy future. Those steps include diversification of the energy supply, energy innovation, and energy efficiency and conservation by everyone, while also working to protect the environment.
Kathryn Landreth emphasized that the two critical issues facing her organization are climate change and the diversification of energy resources. With climate change being felt increasingly around the world, the Nature Conservancy is undertaking research on the effects of climate change in many places and is advocating for mandatory regulations to protect valuable resources such as forests. Energy diversification, Kathryn pointed out, has trade-offs, making it important that people understand and accept any consequences.
In recognizing the importance of energy conservation and the use of renewable energies, Jason Geddes expressed pride about Nevada’s leadership in the area of ‘green building’ and resource conservation. Nevada is one of only two states in the United States to receive a rating for its renewables standards. Equally, Nevada is also one of only two states to promote the green building law that requires new public buildings to meet ‘green building’ standards of energy efficiency, water conservation and other environmental standards. Nevadans voted resoundingly for green energy as one of their most important concerns for the state in a recent study conducted by the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada (EDAWN).
Paul Enos highlighted the importance of the motor trucking industry by pointing out that everything in the meeting room had been delivered by truck. The trucking industry is inextricably linked with the public as increasing fuel prices mean higher transportation prices, which in turn are quickly felt by consumers throughout the country. Paul told the standing-room-only crowd that in addition to the recruitment of drivers for their trucks, energy and fuel efficiency are the top priorities for the Nevada Motor Transport Association, and like its counterparts nationwide, the organization is continually looking for ways to improve fuel efficiency.
Joe Leone outlined ConocoPhillips’ continued research and development efforts for new technologies and energy efficiencies as low-cost, easily-recoverable oil and gas in North America becomes increasingly scarce. Joe also mentioned some of ConocoPhillips’ other R&D efforts focusing on alternative energy sources, especially biofuels and liquified natural gas, which are clean and efficient. However, in many cases, the search for alternative energy sources brings challenges related to difficult locations, permit issues, and governmental regulations that are both complicated and time-consuming.
A lively question and answer session followed, with questions for the panelists ranging from energy efficiency, energy security, alternative energy resources, research and development, conservation, and how best to reduce energy consumption.
A question that generated much debate dealt with responsibility for reducing the public’s energy consumption and in particular, dependency on oil. Whilst some in the audience believe it to be the responsibility of the oil companies, there were others who agreed that it must be a collective effort involving everyone.
Energy independence vs. energy security was another area of interest, given the recent examples of Venezuela and Russia. ConocoPhillips believes that achieving energy security is the more realistic option, given that the United States consumes about 25% of the world’s energy but has only about 3% of the world’s reserves.
Both John Lowe and Joe Leone also responded to a number of questions on specific research and development initiatives ConocoPhillips is undertaking to develop alternative and renewable energy sources. Joe explained that ConocoPhillips has increased its research and development budget by 50% and is undertaking extensive research that will enable the company to deliver energy to the public safely, cleanly and cost effectively.
