| IN CASE YOU MISSED IT |
MIDWEST ENERGY SUMMIT BREAKS VIEWERSHIP RECORD
N
ovember 29, the Midwest Energy Summit returned to the FMWF area for the third year, bringing together national leaders, exper ts and executives to unpack the immense impacts, trends, opportunities and challenges related to the energy sector. Beyond the individuals and leaders in attendance on November 29, the content of this summit reached thousands of livestream viewers across several states, thanks to our 31 committed cohosting chambers and associations, and our dedicated media partners. Keynote speaker Christopher Guith, Senior Vice President of the U.S. Chamber’s Global Energy Institute, laid the groundwork for the discussion, sharing his expertise of the energy sector and stressing the importance of energy security. Guith covered the current state of the geopolitical landscape for | 8 |
THE BRIDGE
energy and how there has been a lot of uncertainty when it comes to energy across the globe, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic and the variability in job security, erratic prices, historic under investment and ‘regulatory tsunamis’ that have now left a mark on where energy stands today. Guith was sure to leave a lasting impression, reminding us that “the transition into alternative energy cannot go any faster than the pace of innovation. The good news is that there is overwhelming consensus across science and engineering about what these technologies are probably going to be…but you can’t let go of the rung you’re hanging on until you have a firm grasp of the next one.” We need our next steps to be backed up by technologies, infrastructure and solutions – which are still a work in progress and will take time.
January - February 2024
North Dakota Senator David Hogue also attended the event, introducing the importance of policy and our community’s involvement in important discussions around this topic. Senator Hogue introduced Tammy Miller, North Dakota Lieutenant Governor, as she joined us to moderate a conversation with industry experts Jeff Davidman of Delta Airlines, Mike Swaney of BNSF Railway and Denver Tolliver of the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute around the global energy landscape and its impact on transportation. Davidman, Swaney and Tolliver each offered their unique perspectives on the transportation industry and how they can utilize sustainable fuels and innovation to contribute to North Dakota’s goal to be carbon-neutral by the year 2030. Much of the conversation centered around the impact of federal and state legislation on the industry, addressing topics such as taxes, regulations and decarbonization. The panel also discussed challenges in adopting new technologies, discussing costs, availability and infrastructure. They concluded by stressing the collaborative effort needed for solutions, with Davidman emphasizing the Midwest’s potential