PESA Member Companies met with more than 40 Congressional offices during the most substantial PESA Washington, DC Fly-In to date.
Representatives from AUGE Industrial, Baker Hughes, a GE company, Basic Energy Services, Cummins Sales & Service, DistributionNOW, Forged Products, Halliburton, Kerr Pumps & Flow Valve, Li Gear, M&M International, M-I SWACO, a Schlumberger Company, Mustang CAT, NOV Completions & Production Solutions, Oceaneering International, Schlumberger, Stallion Oilfield Services, Sunbelt Steel, TechnipFMC and Vallourec USA Corporation also met with members of the Trump Administration during the event held February 12-13.
As the Trump Administration and Congress move forward with their ambitious 2019 agenda, the Fly-In provided an opportunity for PESA and attending Member Companies to convey the importance of implementing policies that ensure a secure supply of abundant, affordable and reliable energy for the U.S.in an environmentally responsible manner.
Attendees developed and strengthened relationships with more than 40 Congressional offices, including:
- Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
- Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO)
- Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA)
- Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM)
- Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX-1)
- Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX-2)
- Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA-3)
- Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC-8)
- Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK-2)
- Rep. Xochitl Torres Small (D-NM-2)
- Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-OH-7)
- Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL-2)
- Other members of the U.S Congress, as well as House and Senate staffers.
Fly-In participants emphasized the important role of oil and natural gas in modern life, while also highlighting the service and supply sector’s commitment to innovation, safety and job creation in our diverse manufacturing and engineering workforce. Meetings were also held with lawmakers representing areas outside of the oil patch, enforcing a message of the entire energy value chain.
DAY ONE
Scott Angelle, Director, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), delivered a briefing on February 12 about the agency’s new direction, and initiatives for the relationship between BSEE and the oil and gas industry. The briefing ended with an operator panel consisting of Geir Westgaard, Vice President, Political & Public Affairs, Equinor, Jeanne Mitchell, Sr. Director of Federal Relations,ExxonMobil, and Hilary Moffett, Senior Director, Govermental Affairs, Occidental Petroleum, discussing the current legislative agenda and how will affect the industry.
PESA then hosted a luncheon with newly elected members of the Texas Congressional delegation, Congressmen Chip Roy (R-TX-21) and Dan Crenshaw (R-TX-2). Roy and Crenshaw delivered remarks on current issues in Washington and how they impact Texas.
In each Congressional meeting PESA Members discussed trade and tariff implications, offshore drilling access, and sustainable energy utilization. Veteran hiring outreach programs and the global implications of LNG exports from the United States were discussed with senior members of the House Armed Services Committee, followed by a reception and dinner in the Kennedy Caucus Room.
DAY TWO
February 13 began with a briefing from Sarah Ladislaw, Senior Vice President, Director and Senior Fellow, Energy and National Security Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies. She delivered an overview of the current geopolitical energy landscape and implications for the industry in the future. The group then headed to the Department of Energy (DOE) for a roundtable discussion with Shawn Bennett, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Oil and Gas. Bennett discussed the need for industry to address climate change and emissions, and encouraged the group to bring R&D ideas to DOE for assistance with continued research. The day concluded with more small group meetings with Senators and Members of Congress on Capitol Hill.
While the outlook for the oil and natural gas industry is positive, there is still plenty of uncertainty surrounding several major policy issues including steel and aluminum tariffs, offshore drilling and investigations in the House regarding climate change. Regarding the House’s expanding interest on the climate issue, PESA met with both Republican and Democratic Senators and Members of Congress to affirm the industry’s commitment to addressing the problem and offer expertise as a resource moving forward. It is paramount that PESA and its Member Companies continue to educate policymakers about the sector, our shared commitment to innovation, safety and job creation, and the importance of oil and natural gas to society and the economy.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss the Fly-In or any policy issue, please contact PESA Vice President Government Affairs Tim Tarpley at (713) 932-0168.
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