March 2021 GO-WV News

NEWS

The Voice of the Gas and Oil Industry

March 2021

GO-WV scholarship applications due March 19

In 1997, the Independent Oil and Gas Association of West Virginia, Inc. (IOGA) established its Scholarship Program in an effort to become more involved in higher education in West Virginia. The program will now transfer to the newly merged Gas and Oil Association of WV (GO-WV).

The Scholarship Program was specifically created to reward the outstanding scholastic achievements of high school seniors whose parents work in the oil and natural gas industry for member companies. The Association also awards deserving high school “student employees” who have completed a required number of working hours at a member company.

Beginning in 2020, two annual one-time, $1,000 scholarships were sponsored by ConServ Incorporated. They are for students who are choosing a career path that benefits the oil and gas industry in a vocational/technical field

such as, but not limited to, welder, truck driver, well tender, electrician, mechanic, etc.

Since the Scholarship Program’s inception, a total of $180,500 in scholarships has been awarded to these very deserving students. Complete eligibility rules for both scholJeff Isner arship types begin on page 16 or Communications/ at http://gowv.com.

Education Chair The completed application, including all required forms and information, must be signed by the high school counselor and postmarked no later than March 19, 2021. GO-WV will accept completed applications postmarked by March 19, 2021. From all the applications received, a GO-WV Scholarship Review Committee Scholarship deadline Continued on page 6

GO-WV offers PHMSA webinar on new regs PHMSA has issued some new regulations that will become effective March 11, 2021. Join us virtually on March 23, 2021, from 9:00-11:00 am for information on “PHMSA Regulations 2021” which are not specific to a certain type of operator, and cover updates and changes to a number of regulations. They also create some big discrepancies between federal and state regulations that gas pipeline safety needs to address.

The virtual seminar series is sponsored by Antero Resources and hosted by the Gas and Oil Association of WV. This seminar will be presented by the West Virginia Public Service Commission.

There have been a number of regulatory updates since the last pipeline safety seminar in April, 2019. Most recently, there was a new Amendment 192-128, “Gas Pipeline Regulatory Reform” a final rule that goes into effect March 12, 2021.

The changes in this rule are a result of a number of suggestions made by operators, industry organizations, and regulatory agencies. Some of the changes that will be discussed during the meeting include revised reporting requirements, changes to integrity management, welder Maribeth Anderson qualifications, joining of plastic Co-Vice President pipe, corrosion control, testing, and Program Chair and farm taps.

We will briefly examine other changes to regulations that have been enacted since the 2019 seminar. This list of changes includes Amendments 191-26, 191-27, 191-28, 191-29, 192-125, 192-126, 192-127, 195-102 and PHMSA webinar Continued on page 15

INSIDE

2 Ben Sullivan 3 Member News 4 Charlie Burd 5 Jeff Isner 6 Consumer News 7 Thomas Downs 8 Industry Events 9 Michael Forbes 11 Greg Kozera 12 Kathy Hill 13 Tim Bigler 16-19 Scholarship App College/Univ.

20-21 Scholarship App Tech School 22-23 GO-WV Ad Contracts

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Ben Sullivan GO-WV Co-President

GO-WV initiates ESG focus for all association members In today’s brave new world, much focus is given by companies, regulators, investors and elected officials, to Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”). As producers, gatherers, transporters, deliverers and end-users of natural gas, it is critical that we always keep in mind that the principles of corporate responsibility are a central priority. Not only do our members promote such principles to achieve 2021 OFFICERS strong governance, safe working conditions and a minimal impact to the environment, but we also know that thoughtful ESG initiaPresidents: tives significantly reduce risk, create long-term value and represent a Ben Sullivan/Thomas Westfall competitive advantage. Having this philosophy allows our industry to Vice Presidents: fully embrace its role as responsible stewards of the natural resources Maribeth Anderson/Jeff Isner we manage, the people we employ and the environment in which we Secretary: operate. This philosophy requires that we strive to adhere to quality Jason Harshbarger operating standards with a strong focus on the environment, the health Treasurers: and safety of our employees, local communities and the environment Kelly Moss/Jim Pritt where we conduct our operations.

As most now realize, ESG, or sustainability, refers to corporate BOARD MEMBERS activities that would enhance the ability of a company to create value John Bane, EQT Corp. over the long-term. It includes both financial and non-financial aspects Jim Crews, MPLX of a business such as environment, human capital, social capital, innoCarrie Crumpton, CNX Resources vation, leadership and governance.

Ryan Cunningham, Cunningham As companies, our goal should be to focus on establishing a robust Energy approach to sustainability, underpinned by a commitment to high stanDoug Douglass, ConServ Inc. dards of corporate behavior, social responsibility and environmental Kevin Ellis, Antero Resources stewardship. Doing so is not only the “right” way to do business and Jon Farmer, Arsenal Resources engage with our stakeholders, but it is also a best practice and becomMichael Forbes, Greylock Energy Marc Halbritter, Blue Racer Midstream ing expected by our communities and the public at large.

David Haney, E&H Manufacturing I am excited to announce that given the importance to all in our Holly Hannold, XTO industry, GO-WV is forming an ESG Committee, which will help our Jon Hildreth, Roy G. Hildreth & Son members educate themselves and their employees about the imporPaul Hunter, Williams tance of ESG, discussing topical areas of interest and providing a Brittany LaPorta, TC Energy sounding board for ideas and questions. Many thanks go out to the Rhett Metz, Energy Transfer leadership of GO-WV for recognizing this critical need, and to Tom Christine Mitchell, Dominion Energy Westfall for helping to spearhead the effort.

Michael Poole, Highlands Drilling While many of our big members have their own ESG plans in Bob Radabaugh, S&R Gas Ventures place, most of our medium to small size members likely do not. The Mark Veltri, Crestwood Mistream ESG Committee will be working over the coming months on a draft Eric Vir, Northeast Natural Energy form “ESG Plan,” which members will have access to for their own Chris Weikle, SWN adoption at their discretion. This plan will include best-practice Member Emeritus: components and recommendations on simple steps that can be taken Ben Hardesty, Alta Energy to educate a member’s workforce on why ESG is important to the community and will result in better engagement as a corporate citizen, Lloyd Jackson, Jackson Management Bob Orndorff, Dominion Energy Understanding ESG Continued on page 15

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Member News

Antero Foundation matches $150,000 in community donations to end food insecurity Mountaineer Food Bank and anti-hunger organizations in north central West Virginia received more than $300,000 through the “We’re Here” campaign, including a $150,000 donation match from the Antero Foundation.

Antero Foundation’s match combined with employee and community generosity, raises $300,000 for hunger programs.

The Antero-led campaign, which launched in November, received donations from 250 individuals and companies, with the Antero Foundation providing a 100% donation match totaling $150,000.

“Together with the Mountaineer Food Bank, we set an ambitious goal at the end of last year, and through support from the community, Antero’s employees and loyal partners, we surpassed our match target,” said Al Schopp, Antero Resources

Chief Administrative Officer and Regional Senior Vice President. “A large part of the Antero Foundation’s mission is to create a community focused, non-profit organization that further expands our giving reach and builds upon the success we’ve achieved together. Thanks to our collective efforts, we were able to achieve that goal and reaffirm our company’s commitment to making positive, meaningful differences in the communities where we work and live.”

Located in Gassaway, Mountaineer Food Bank is West Virginia’s largest emergency food provider, supplying over 20.7 million pounds of food and essential household items to more than 450 feeding programs in 48 counties. These programs include food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, senior programs, Veterans Table programs, mobile pantry programs and backpack programs.

“Hunger and food insecurity are one of West Virginia’s most pressing, chronic problems, and we are fortunate to have a community partner like Antero Resources who’s willing to go above and beyond in support of our mission,” Mountaineer Food Bank President and Chief Executive Officer Chad Morrison, said. “The COVID-19 pandemic has only enhanced West Virginia’s food desert dilemmas, so Antero’s generous donation and foundation match will enable us to better serve our neighbors in need.”

The Antero Foundation’s support for anti-hunger programs in West Virginia continues Antero Resources’ annual efforts to recognize community food programs across the north central West Virginia area. Since 2016, the company has donated nearly $500,000 toward food programs in the state.

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Charlie Burd GO-WV Executive Director

From the Burd’s Nest: I am not the smart man...

The film Forrest Gump is on my all-time top ten list of movies. When asked why this movie, maybe it is because it stars one of my all-time favorite actors, Tom Hanks. While I saw Hanks from a distance, I had the opportunity to introduce myself to Mickey Rooney at an IPAA Annual Conference in New Orleans. Hanks and Rooney were there to celebrate the National World War II Museum Dedication Ceremony--which was one of the meeting’s event venues. Another reason is because it contains some of the greatest movie sound bites ever.

As we know, the movie is a chronology of the life of Forrest, a man who is intellectually disabled but traverses his life in unique, insightful and successful ways. At one point, Forrest confesses, “I am not the smart man…” Given the many disheartening events rolling out of Washington D.C. since January 20, I ponder if I, too, relate to Forrest.

I get it, elections have consequences. But when decisions are nonsensical and appear to place your livelihood and security in jeopardy, one must wonder why. Let us start with the impact of just part of the first and all-encompassing Executive Orders (found here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/ briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/ executive-order-protecting-public-health-and-environment-and-restoring-science-to-tackle-climate-crisis/) The Keystone XL Pipeline: One of the first of several Presidential Executive Orders was the revocation of the permit on the Keystone XL Pipeline (KXL). GO-WV member TC Energy’s KXL project is a 1,200-mile pipeline designed to safely deliver over 800,000 barrels per day of crude oil from Alberta, Canada to Steele City, Nebraska. There it would connect with TC Energy’s existing facilities to transport that crude to Gulf Coast refiners to be converted to transportation fuels and other products. KXL was to be an essential piece of infrastructure allowing Canada and the U.S. to continue transporting energy prod-

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ucts across its borders. (Don’t forget…we ship ethane north out of the Appalachian basin.)

I concede that I am not the smart man, but I can clearly see that gone in the wake of this decision are (1) the loss of thousands of good paying jobs with benefits--both here and in Canada--the majority of which are union jobs; (2) millions of dollars in lost tax revenues to local communities, counties, states and the federal government; (3) placing the citizens of the United States at an economic disadvantage on future costs for all transportation fuels and nearly all manufactured products; and (4) a threat to our national security.

The Arctic Refuge: Another order includes the imposition of a “temporary moratorium” on all oil and gas leasing activities in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). The executive order directs the Interior Department to review the oil-leasing program for the refuge, and “as appropriate and consistent with applicable law” to do a new analysis of its potential environmental impacts. The ANWR covers approximately 19.64 million acres of land and water in northeastern Alaska (our 49th State). The American Energy Alliance tells us that in 1980, Congress set aside 1.5 million acres of ANWR for future study of its energy resource potential, known as the “1002 Area.” The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that ANWR’s 1002 Area, which the administration’s proposal would put off-limits, has an expected value of 10.4 billion barrels of recoverable oil that could be produced at a rate of about one million barrels of oil per day. Energy resources in the 1002 Area could be developed using merely 2,000 acres, or less than 0.01 percent of ANWR’s total area. Again, I concede that I am not the smart man, but the area where they are talking about drilling is described as a barren wasteland and 1/10,000 of the total acreage of the ANWR. Paris Climate Accord: Acceptance of the Paris Climate Agreement Burd’s Nest Continued on page 14

Jeff Isner Communication and Education Committee Chair

New advertising opportunities for oil and gas industry in 2021 Welcome to a new advertising opportunity in 2021! The Independent Oil and Gas Association of West Virginia (IOGA) and the West Virginia Oil and Natural Gas Association (WVONGA) have merged to become the Gas and Oil Association of WV, Inc. (GO-WV). This merger means that your ad in the GO-WV monthly newsletter will continue to reach the entire natural gas and oil industry in a single publication.

The 2021 newsletter two-page advertising contract can be found on pages 22 and 23. Ad fees must be paid in full by check or credit card prior to publication. The deadline to place advertising is generally the Friday prior to the last full week of the month. For example, the deadline for the February issue was January 22, 2021. For those with multi-month contracts, you can change ad content, but you need to clearly mark your art-

work as to the month of publication (i.e., Acme Inc. ad, January, March and August or Acme Inc. ad, January-June and Acme Inc. ad July-December). Ad­s must be summited according to sizes shown in the contract and should be 300-dpi resolution and can be either .jpg or .pdf format.

Prior advertisers with either IOGA or WVONGA should submit re-sized ads for the GO-WV newsletter.

You can be assured this merger will give you the opportunity to expand your outreach to this important market and keep your company name, products and services at top-of-mind awareness for your current and potential customers.

Please direct any questions regarding advertising opportunities to Diane Slaughter at (304) 984-0308 or email her at dslaughter@gowv. com.

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Consumer News

Customers encouraged to use eBill from Dominion Energy for paperless convenience Dominion Energy West Virginia has heard from some customers that Postal Service delays have resulted in their receiving bills after their due dates. Dominion Energy offers a simple, convenient solution: eBill is the company’s paperless billing option that allows customers to receive a link to their bills through an email. Once enrolled in eBill, customers can download and use the free new Dominion Energy app on their phone or other devices to notify them when payment is due.

Dominion Energy offers customers these convenient, reliable ways to view their bills and communications: Go Paperless: With eBill you’ll receive an email that your bill is ready to view. You can also access previous statements, track gas usage, pay your bill and schedule service orders. Sign in to Manage Your Account now to get started at the following

link: Dominion Energy :: Register.

Turn on Notifications: Manage your account from your smartphone with the Dominion Energy App. You can view and pay your bill in the Dominion Energy app. Use the new Dominion Energy app to receive an instant notification when your bill is ready, or your payment is due if you’re enrolled in eBill. Use this link to Download our new mobile app | Dominion Energy.

Pay Your Bill Online: It’s easy to pay your bill though our online portal. Your payment is instantly applied to your account. To get started visit: Pay My Bill | WV | Dominion Energy.

Enroll in AutoPay: Never worry about a late payment when you’re enrolled in AutoPay, previously known Bank Draft. Learn more at: Pay My Bill | WV | Dominion Energy.

Scholarship deadline Continued from page 1

will award a number of one-time only scholarships.

Here is a quick glance at those rules: 1. Applicant must be a West Virginia high school senior.

2. Applicant must be a dependent of an employee/retiree of a GO-WV company in good standing OR be employed by a GO-WV company in good standing (Student employee must have worked a minimum of 400 hours in the past calendar year. Validation of hours worked and a letter of recommendation from the employer must be provided).

3. Applicant must enroll in a four-year West Virginia college or university or a community college/vocational-technical school depending

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on scholarship.

4. Applicant must compose an essay answering the question asked on the application form.

5. Application must be signed by the high school counselor.

6. The completed application and all documentation requested must be postmarked no later than Friday, March 19, 2021.

GO-WV will accept completed applications postmarked between Jan. 2 and March 19, 2021.

From all the applications received, a GO-WV Scholarship Review Committee will award a number of one-time only scholarships. Should you have any questions, please contact Dee Beane at 304-344-9867 or dbeane@gowv.com.

Thomas Downs WeatherBELL Analytics

WeatherBELL’s 2021 spring outlook

For more information about WeatherBELL’s services and to get the hot-off-the-press forecast updates, please visit our website www.weatherbell.com or contact us at sales@ weatherbell.com.

After a brutal February, our spring outlook calls for above normal temperatures through most of the U.S. Expect cold air to hold strong in western Canada, allowing for the Northern Tier of the U.S. to see additional cold snaps through March or early April.

In the South, expect warm conditions to emanate from the Southwest into the southern Plains.

These warm air masses should also fight northeastward in April and May, contrasted to the very late springs of the last few years.

With the sharp contrast between the warm South and the cold North, an extreme severe weather and tornado season is on the table.

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Industry Events

Various upcoming events planned for 2021 March 19, 2021 GO-WV Scholarship Deadline Info: www.gowv.com March 23, 2021 PHMSA Regulations 2021 Online Platform Info: www.gowv.com April 19-20, 2021 SPE Regional Meeting Nemacolin Woodlands Farmington, PA Info: www.spe.org June 7-8, 2021 WVMA: MMDC Waterfront Place Morgantown, WV Info: www.wvma.org May 15-18, 2021 IOGCC Annual Business Meeting Virtual Platform Info: http://iogcc.ok.gov/events May 19, 2021 2021 PIOGA Spring Meeting & Exhibition Rivers Casino Pittsburgh, PA Info: www.PIOGA.org > Events June 7, 2021 Ted Cranmer Memorial Golf Outing and Steak Fry Wanango Country Club Reno, PA Info: www.PIOGA.org > Events

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August 1-3, 2021 GO-WV Summer Meeting The Greenbrier White Sulphur Springs, WV Info: www.gowv.com August 19, 2021 24 Annual Divot Diggers Golf Outing Tam O’Shanter Golf Club Hermitage, PA Info: www.PIOGA.org > Events th

September 15-16 2021 Annual Membership Meeting & Fall Sports Outing Venue: TBA Info: www.PIOGA.org > Events November 7-9, 2021 IOGCC Annual Conference Location TBA Santa Fe, NM Info: http://iogcc.ok.gov/events

Michael Forbes Membership Chair

GO-WV Board welcomes three new members in February Please join the GO-WV Board of Directors in welcoming this member elected in February: Hartman Harman Cosco, LLC H2C Strategies Scott Cosco PO Box 11115 Charleston, WV 25339 Phone: (800) 346-5127 Cell: (304) 663-7287 scott@h2cstrategies.com www.h2cstrategies.com

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United Construction Company, Inc. John Roberts 3120 Northwestern Pike Parkersburg, WV 26104 Phone: (304) 422-2141 Cell: (304) 482-4946 Fax: (304) 485-4249 jroberts@ucciwv.com www.ucciwv.com

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Greg Kozera Learned Leadership LLC

Cold facts not understood My friend and President of Artex Oil in Marietta, Ohio, Jerry James says, “It is an ill wind that doesn’t blow some good.” Last month, a lot of our friends and relatives in Texas lost power. I was talking to a friend in Houston whose company we are helping with a project in “The Crescent.” In the middle of the call he lost power and was worried his water pipes would freeze. Freezing rain is hard on power lines, no matter where it happens.

As I write this, many in our region still have no electricity. This has been a tough week in our region and around the country due to cold weather, snow and ice. Electricity is something easily taken for granted. This may be our opportunity to educate people.

Many people believe we should adopt the Green New Deal which relies on wind and solar for 95% of our energy. We don’t hear any plan for what happens when the sun doesn’t shine and the wind doesn’t blow. This isn’t just dangerous.

It is deadly. Battery technology doesn’t exist to store sufficient energy from wind and solar. If we had the technology, cobalt, lithium and rare earth metals are required to manufacture batteries. None of these materials are sourced in the USA. The process to mine and refine them hurts the planet with environmental disasters in countries like China, the Congo, Australia and Latin American countries. All the USA sees is “clean energy” and not the resulting human misery in those countries.

Cold weather in south Texas is unusual, but not uncommon. 2011 and 1989 were bad winters. I was in Houston for a corporate meeting in 2011 with an ice storm coming. The city was shutting down. We were fortunate to get airborne just before it hit. Our region is more prepared than Texas when it comes to cold weather because it is more common here. We still have our power outages. Outages in moderate weather are an inconvenience, but can be deadly to people requiring medical devices. We lost a good friend after the derecho. A power outage in extremely hot or extremely cold weather can be deadly to the el-

derly and the very young in homes without power.

Electricity is not an option. It is critical to our health and safety. Gasoline and diesel fuel pumps need electricity to operate. We expect the electric grid to operate 24/7/365 in all weather.

I am responsible for my family’s safety. Our home has a wood burning fireplace just in case we lose power in the winter. It would be nice to have natural gas, but our subdivision was built during the 1980s before the shale revolution when natural gas was in short supply. The fireplace was our only source of heat during some bad snow storms and probably saved my handicapped mother-inlaw’s life. We are fortunate to live in West Virginia where we have abundant natural gas and coal for base power. When it is 10 degrees at night and snowing, I’m glad I’m not betting my family’s life on a solar panel that doesn’t work at night or hope the wind will blow.

As a professional engineer, I have an ethical responsibility to speak out in my area of expertise when I am aware of situations that put people’s lives at risk. I’ve been involved in energy of all types for over 40 years. (This includes renewables and hydro.) We always have had to deal with power lines down from storms. What we have never had to deal with is power sources that go down. For decades our electricity came primarily from coal, nuclear and natural gas with some oil and hydroelectric. These sources are all dependable and predictable. In recent years we began to use some wind and solar power. They are good supplemental sources but not dependable for base load like coal, nuclear and natural gas.

Wind and solar have a place but not as base energy. Solar does not work at night (50% of the year) and when cloudy. The Shale Crescent USA (SCUSA) gets less sun than places like Texas or Florida. Solar panels don’t work well covered with snow and ice. Our region doesn’t get much wind. West Texas and offshore are more dependCold facts

Continued on page 12

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Kathy Hill Ergon

Monthly Appalachian Basin crude oil prices

Cold facts

Continued from page 11

able for wind but it can’t always be guaranteed to blow for power like coal, nuclear, natural gas or hydro. The electric grid needs to work all the time. We need it the most in extremely hot or cold weather.

In 2010, Texas electric generation came from primarily coal 40% and natural gas 38%, followed by nuclear 13%, wind 8% and other sources 1%.

Today that has changed to natural gas 51%, wind 25%, coal 13%, nuclear 5%, solar 4% and other 2%. Was that a factor in this year’s Texas blackouts? Texas will debate that. For everyone the message is; Consumers and business need dependable, affordable electricity.

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Carbon emissions from the USA are down over 14% and continue to drop. Emissions from China are continuing to increase. If the climate change experts are right, and the problem is as serious as they say, China doesn’t need weapons of war to destroy the USA. They only need to keep pouring garbage into the atmosphere. Of course, they will also destroy themselves. It is time for international cooperation and teamwork. We have technology and natural gas that can help China reduce carbon emissions. We can also use SCUSA’s location in the middle of the world’s largest economy, with advanced manufacturing, an experienced workCold facts Continued on page 13

Tim Bigler Direct Energy

Nymex natural gas futures contract

12-Month Forward Strip Average Prices Through 2/24/2021

Cold facts

Continued from page 12

force, abundant economical energy and feed stock to bring industry to the SCUSA region. It is now more profitable to manufacture in the SCUSA than overseas.

If we can convince companies to expand or relocate in SCUSA, we will shorten supply chains, dramatically reduce carbon emissions, reduce cost of goods for all Americans and create thousands of high wage manufacturing and spin-off jobs.

This is a win for all Americans and the planet.

Natural gas creates dependable and affordable energy. It is the best backup energy source for renewables like wind and solar. Allowing people to die in order to use renewables to fight climate

change is unacceptable. When it is cold, dark and snowing, I’m glad to have an electric grid I can depend on. There are better ways to fight climate change than using renewables.

Americans need to understand the danger of the Green New Deal while this week’s power outages are still fresh in their minds. We need to enlist the help of others like the engineering community to tell the story with help from our industry. A lot of people suffered without power this week. If we can use this opportunity to educate the public and elected leaders, we can prevent making their suffering routine. Thoughts to ponder.

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Burd’s Nest

Continued from page 4

was ordered, which directs the United State to rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement, the global pact established to reduce carbon emissions. A coalition led by Mike Bloomberg, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Climate Ambition and Solutions and others, are working to cut U.S. emissions in half by 2030 and reach net zero emissions by 2050. Of note is that the Agreement is not a treaty, so goals established may not be “legally” binding. This will likely not prohibit the onslaught of job killing edicts.

Others Specific Regulatory Reviews: The President’s advisers have compiled, and targeted for review, a list of more than 100 rules and policies developed by the former administration. Many of the policies relate to environmental conservation and climate change, public health, and the environment, such as: • Mineral ownership: A revisiting and review of a May 2020 policy on mineral ownership in part of North Dakota.

• Methane emissions: Track and report on energy management activities and proposing new regulations to establish standards for methane and volatile organic compound emissions from existing operations in oil and gas sector by September 2021.

• Vehicle fuel economy and emission standards.

• Efficiency standards that place limits on such things as shower heads, dishwasher, appliances and light bulbs.

• Pollution standards by specified dates, specifically, National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants; coal and oil-fired electric utility steam generating units and increasing consistency and transparency in considering benefits and costs in the clean air act rule making process.

The bulk of the full list may be complicated to rescind or reverse because the former administration wrote them into formal regulations. A listing can of these, and other items can be found at https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=4e13bdc5-dca1-42d7-997a-37c6da831fe6.

It seems obvious oil, natural gas and other fossil fuels have been singled out and targeted for extinction by the new administration. This is a very odd response, given renewables cannot be used Burd’s Nest Continued on page 15

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Burd’s Nest Continued from page 14

uniformly across the energy system to replace the use of fossil fuels today. This might have been best demonstrated during the blizzard and extended adverse weather conditions in Texas and other Midwest states.

As I have stated previously, I am not the smart man. Isn’t oil and natural gas the industry that provides the feedstock for such important things as electric power generation; plastic manufacturing; and the production of steel and other metals, just to name a few? Unless I missed something in Dr. Scragg’s history class way back when… did the use of fossil fuels not power the industrial revolution, pulling millions of people out of poverty, and help shape the modern world?

It was oil and natural gas that allowed for the rapid growth in industrial processes, agriculture and transportation. As I see it, the world today has been transformed since the 19th century via the smart use of fossil fuels. Let us be serious, human health and welfare have vastly improved through the development of medicines and medical supplies reliant on the oil and natural gas industry.

This access to medicines and the technology to provide safe drinking water has, in part, led to a global population increase from 1 billion in 1800 to almost 8 billion today. In short, the fossil fuel energy system is the lifeblood of the modern economy. We no longer starve or freeze to death in the dark.

Allow me to be totally honest in the quote from Forrest Gump. What he said to the love of his life, Jenny, was, “I am not the smart man, but I know what love is,” and so do we.

Love beyond self is knowing that what we do to help others, in ways they likely do not even realize, is important. Love beyond self is knowing that countless millions wake every morning in a warm, safe place with lights, fresh water, refrigerated foods and sanitation. Love beyond self is sacrificing our time away from family to provide surety in domestically producing oil and natural gas in quantities vast enough not just to give us national energy independence but, if permitted, global energy dominance! Love beyond self is knowing that what we do can be the catalyst to having our fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters,

aunts, uncles, sons and daughters home with us and not deployed in lands far away defending the foreign oil supplies we are forced to rely upon, in places where we are not necessarily liked or wanted. That in itself is enough for me to fight for oil and natural gas!

As I close, I am reminded that this time a year ago, our great nation was beginning to see the ill-conceived reality that relying on foreign supplies of certain PPE, medical equipment and other goods placed us is a very unenviable position to domestically address and combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Why now, with that as our backdrop, would any presidential administration see differently our need to be energy self-sufficient?

PHMSA webinar

Continued from page 1

195-103. Many of these amendments are changes directed to underground storage and transmission lines. Recent advisory bulletins will be reviewed.

We may look at the recent pipeline safety reauthorization bill, and how it might affect upcoming regulations. We will also look at some proposed updates to the WV Pipeline Safety Regulations as found in Chapter §150CSR4.

Please call the GO-WV office at (304) 344-9867 to register for “PHMSA Regulations 2021” by Friday, March 19. There is no cost to participate.

Understanding ESG

Continued from page 2

a more robust bottom-line, and a strong future for our industry and its products. ESG doesn’t have to be overly burdensome or expensive, and this plan will provide a good template for our members to review when thinking through what ESG means to them.

If you haven’t been asked about your company’s perspective on ESG, you soon will be, and GOWV intends to provide you with the resources you need to understand ESG and make informed decisions on how your company may desire to engage in an ESG-focused world.

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College/University Scholarship Application

2021 Scholarship Application Last Name

First Name

MI

Mailing Address City

State

Home Phone Number

Zip Code

Social Security Number

Date of Birth

College/University Planning to Attend

High School

High School Phone Number

 My Parent/Guardian works for a GO-WV Company Parent/Guardian Name

GO-WV Company

 I Work for a GO-WV Company (referral letter attached) GO-WV Company Graduation Date Awards Assembly Date & Time

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If you filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), what is the amount of your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as reported to you on the Student Aid Report (SAR)? $

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SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: 1. Applicant must be a West Virginia high school senior.

2. Applicant must be a dependent of an employee/retiree of a GO-WV Company in good standing OR be employed by a GO-WV Company in good standing (Student employee must have worked a minimum of 400 hours. Validation of hours worked and a letter of recommendation from the employer must be provided).

3. Applicant must enroll in a four-year West Virginia college or university.

4. Applicant must compose a 300-500 word essay answering the question: “Describe your community’s perception of the Oil and Gas Industry and explain how you would improve it.”

5. Application must be signed by a high school counselor.

6. Mail the application with all activity and course forms (listed below), essay, transcript and ACT scores as instructed below. This must be postmarked no later than Friday, March 19, 2021.

ATTENTION STUDENT: List your advanced placement and honors courses, organizations, volunteer and extra-curricular school activities with which you were affiliated during the four years of high school on the appropriate forms (Advanced Placement and Honors Courses, Extracurricular School Activities, Community Service and Non-School Activities - Including Employment). Please deliver these forms along with your completed application and essay to your high school counselor.

ATTENTION SCHOOL COUNSELOR: Please sign this application and mail it along with the student’s essay, transcripts, ACT scores, and activity and course forms to the address below before March 19, 2021.

Student’s guidance counselor’s signature PLEASE NOTE: ONE SIDED COPIES ONLY – NO STAPLES! Gas and Oil Association of WV, Inc. Attention: Dee Beane 300 Summers Street Suite 820, Charleston WV 25301

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Scholarship AP/Honors Courses Forms

Advanced Placement and Honors Courses Grade Level

Course

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Scholarship School Activities Form

Extracurricular School Activities Grade Level

Estimated Hours per Year

Activity

TOTAL HOURS

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Scholarship Community Service Form

Community Service and Non-School Activities (Including Employment) Grade Level

Estimated Hours per Year

Activity

TOTAL HOURS

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GO-WV Technical Scholarship Appllication

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GO-WV Technical Scholarship Appllication

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GO-WV Advertising Contract

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GO-WV Advertising Contract

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300 Summers Street, Suite 820 Charleston, WV 25301 Phone (304) 344-9867 Fax (304) 344-5836

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GO-WV Members As USI Insurance Services, we bring over 25 years of industry experience, a proprietary risk analysis process and a local team all supported by the expertise of more than 4,500 professionals nationwide.

Let us show you how the right plan and the right partner can help protect your company's people and physical assets.

Pete Thackston, Senior Vice President USI Insurance Services 418 8th Street, Suite 301, Huntington, WV 25701 304-638-7281 I Pete.Thackston@usi.comIwww.usi.com

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