Hoeven, Heitkamp, Cramer and Dalrymple Unveil Agenda for 2014 Great Plains & Empower ND Energy Conference

Press Release

Senators John Hoeven and Heidi Heitkamp, Congressman Kevin Cramer and Governor Jack Dalrymple today announce the agenda for the eighth annual Great Plains & EmPower ND Energy Conference. The daylong, premier energy conference will be held October 14, 2014, at the National Energy Center of Excellence at Bismarck State College. The conference, which is hosted by North Dakota's congressional delegation and governor, Bismarck State College, Great Plains Energy Corridor, KLJ and the North Dakota Department of Commerce, will feature policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs and industry leaders.

"By bringing together a wide range of stakeholders, the 8th annual Great Plains & EmPower ND Energy Conference will help us to highlight our state's all-of-the-above approach to energy development, meet the challenges of growth, remain at the cutting-edge of the efficient and responsible energy production and drive home the need to bring our state's approach to the national level," Hoeven, Heitkamp, Cramer and Dalrymple said. "A decade ago, we created Empower North Dakota, the state's first comprehensive energy plan, and worked to build a strong business climate. Today, North Dakota has become the second largest oil and gas producing state in the country while developing other sources of renewable energy -- a true model for the nation. We need to continue that tradition with farsighted conferences like this."

Highlights include:

Acclaimed author and journalist, Robert Bryce will share his perspective on why coal, oil and gas will continue to dominate the global energy mix, and how innovation in everything from engines and drilling to solar and storage will prolong America's energy revolution for decades to come. Bryce has been writing about energy business since 1989 and is a senior fellow of the Center for Energy Policy and the Environment at the Manhattan Institute.

Executive Director of the Energy & Environment Initiative at Rice University Charles McConnell will speak on initiatives that are being done to reduce the carbon footprint of traditional fuels and to prepare futures leaders with a holistic view of the big energy picture. McConnell leads Rice University's integration of science, engineering, economic analysis, policy and social sciences to address the diverse issues and challenges associated with energy security, affordability and environmental sustainability and previously served as the Assistant Secretary of Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy.

President and CEO for Institute for 21st Century Energy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Karen Alderman Harbert will speak on how U.S. oil production can be considered an increasingly important aspect of national security and a hedge against increasing demand and uncertainty in global markets. Harbert leads the Institute's efforts to develop its comprehensive Energy Works for U.S. platform and build support for meaningful energy action nationally and internationally through policy development, education and advocacy. She previously served as Assistant Secretary for Policy and International Affairs at the U.S. Department of Energy and also as the Deputy Assistant Administrator for Latin America and the Caribbean at the U.S. Agency for International Development.