Energy Workforce & Technology Council held its annual Washington, DC Fly-In February 7-9, bringing record numbers of Member Company representatives to the nation’s capital to press lawmakers on issues important to the oilfield services and technology sector.
Energy Workforce Members spent two days advocating for the industry with members of Congress and the Biden Administration, including discussions on energy security, energy supply, sustainability, international market access and the energy workforce.
On Wednesday, Members descended on Capitol Hill for meetings with 40 Congressional members and staff to discuss an “all of the above” energy strategy that promotes domestic energy production to meet ever-growing global demand and provide energy security for our nation. Energy Workforce Members informed Congressional members and staff about our industry being at the forefront of lowering emissions through new, innovative technologies. They also pressed that in order to fully deploy the next domestic energy revolution, we must have permitting and NEPA reform, more U.S. oil and gas, investments in energy infrastructure, and support for the expansion of emission reducing technology.
Member meetings included:
- Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH-06)
- Rep. David Valadao (R-CA-22)
- Rep. Greg Pence (R-IN-06)
- Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-OK-05)
- Rep. Kevin Hearn (R-OK-01)
- Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN-08)
- Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX-18)
- Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX-26)
- Rep. Brian Babin (R-TX-36)
- Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO-01)
- Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28)
- Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA-03)
- Rep. Brandon Williams (R-NY-22)
And staff from the offices of:
- Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
- Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM)
- Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO)
- Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
- Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
- Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY)
- Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX)
- Sen. Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM)
- Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA)
- Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH)
- Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND)
- Rep. Nanette Barragan (D-CA-44)
- Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-TX-29)
- Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY-17)
- Rep. Garret Graves (R-LA-06)
- Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO-04)
Energy Workforce also hosted a Producer’s Lunch where Member Company representatives heard from Rep. John Curtis (R-UT-03), Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX-11), Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX-14) and Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-MT-01) on energy priorities for the 118th Congress. The Members of Congress all touched on the need for permitting reform to allow for further domestic energy production to provide affordable, reliable energy while meeting growing global demand. To wrap up the busy day on the Hill, the group had the privilege to sit down with the Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR-04) to discuss his outlook on the potential for a bipartisan permitting reform package this year.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN-8) and Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX-07) addressed Energy Workforce Members and guests at a reception, where Congressional Members and their staff were able to discuss issues of importance to the industry in a more casual atmosphere.
On Thursday, Energy Workforce hosted senior Biden Administration officials from the Departments of State, Energy and Interior to speak with Fly-In participants.
Geoffrey Pyatt, Assistant Secretary for Energy Resources at the U.S. Department of State, presented Energy Workforce CEO Leslie Shockley Beyer with a Certificate of Appreciation for her leadership and hard work with Energy Workforce’s State Department Houston Energy Course. Assistant Secretary Pyatt also discussed the importance of energy security globally and highlighted ways our industry could continue to partner with the Bureau on initiatives like emissions reduction, energy reliability and access.
Assistant Secretary of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management Brad Crabtree discussed the importance of LNG exports and opportunities to work with his office on emissions reducing technologies. The office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) plays an important role promoting new energy technologies in oil and gas, permitting and managing the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). Gretchen Kittell, of DOE’s Loan Programs Office, highlighted ways in which Energy Workforce Member Companies can engage with funding opportunities available through the Inflation Reduction Act in areas of new energies and fossil fuel innovations.
Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior Tommy Beaudreau spoke about the Department’s initiatives with carbon capture technology, promoting U.S. manufacturing, and opportunities to streamline the permitting process.
Energy Workforce thanks the Member participants, including representatives from Atlas Energy Solutions, Baker Hughes, Brigade Energy Services, Caterpillar Inc., Cummins Inc., Evolution Well Services, Gladiator Energy, GO Wireline, Halliburton, Heidrick & Struggles, HMH, Kimray, Liberty Energy, Moncla Workover & Drilling, Mustang Cat, NOV, ProFrac Services, ProPetro Services, Pruitt Tool & Supply Co., Shawcor, SLB, Solaris Oilfield Infrastructure, Vallourec and Weatherford.
THANK YOU EVENT SPONSORS
THANK YOU STRATEGIC PARTNERS
Corry Schiermeyer, Senior Director Communications, writes about governmental policies for the Energy Workforce & Technology Council. Click here to subscribe to the Energy Workforce newsletter, which highlights sector-specific issues, best practices, activities and more.
