Infrastructure Lost: Why America Cannot Afford to “Keep It In the Ground”

Self-described tech nerd turned entrepreneur, Chris Wright serves as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Liberty Energy. Chris is a dedicated humanitarian with a passion for bringing the benefits of energy to every community in the world. This passion has inspired a career in energy working not only in oil and gas but also fusion, solar, and geothermal. Chris embraces all sources of energy if they are abundant, affordable, and reliable.

Chris has become a bold advocate, bringing rational thought to the energy dialogue. He has spoken on energy and the merits of the Shale Revolution to the UK House of Lords, and state and federal lawmakers, with multiple appearances on network TV, documentaries, and podcasts. Recently, Chris’ #ThankYouNorthFace campaign went viral with over 5 million views, forcing a sober discussion on the multiple uses of oil and gas in products.

Chris completed an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering at MIT and graduate work in Electrical Engineering at both UC Berkeley and MIT. Chris founded Pinnacle Technologies and served as CEO from 1992 to 2006. Pinnacle created the hydraulic fracture mapping industry and its innovations helped launch commercial shale gas production in the late 1990s. Chris was Chairman of Stroud Energy, an early shale gas producer, before its sale to Range Resources in 2006. Additionally, Chris founded and serves as Executive Chairman of Liberty Resources and Liberty Midstream Solutions and also sits on the Board of Directors for Urban Solutions Group, and the Federal Reserve Bank, Denver Branch.

Chris grew up and currently lives in Colorado with his wife, Liz. He is a passionate father, skier, cyclist, climber, and outdoor enthusiast. He serves on the board of numerous nonprofits including PERC, ACE Colorado, ACE Montana, PRI, and the YCCF.

John McNabb has been a Board Director for DEPA for several years.  We are thrilled he has agreed to get more involved with us by stepping up to our Executive Board.

Mr. McNabb currently serves as Continental Resources’ Lead Director He was also appointed as lead director in November 2011.

Mr. McNabb served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Willbros, an international energy engineering and construction firm, from October 2014 through November 2015 and previously served as the Executive Chairman of the Board of Willbros from August 2014 to October 2014. Mr. McNabb served as Senior Advisor of Duff & Phelps Corporation (“Duff & Phelps”), a global independent provider of financial advisory and investment services, a position he held from November 2014 to March 2018. Mr. McNabb was Vice Chairman of Corporate Finance of Duff & Phelps from June 2014 through October 2014 and Vice Chairman of Investment Banking of Duff & Phelps from July 2011 to June 2014.

He was Founder and Chairman of the board of directors of Growth Capital Partners, L.P., a merchant banking firm that provided financial advisory services to middle market companies throughout the United States. He served in this position from 1992 through June 2011. He was formerly a Managing Director of Bankers Trust New York Corporation (“Bankers Trust”) and a board member of BT Southwest Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bankers Trust. Mr. McNabb went to Bankers Trust from The Prudential Insurance Company of America, where he had a six-year career, commencing in 1984, in positions with Prudential-Bache Securities, The Prudential Corporate Finance Group, and Prudential Capital Corporation, a merchant banking affiliate of The Prudential.

He started his career with Mobil Oil Corporation in its exploration and production division. Mr. McNabb holds B.A. and M.B.A. degrees from Duke University.

Patrick is currently President & CEO and Director of Montaban Oil & Gas Operations, Inc., (MOGO, INC) a private company formed by his father, Mr. Joseph V. Montalban. Patrick is also currently President & CEO and Director of Mountainview Energy Ltd. Patrick is Vice President of Great Northern Drilling, a small independent oil and gas producer in Montana and Wyoming.

Patrick formed his first oil and gas exploration and production company in 1999, known as Altamont Oil & Gas, Inc. Altamont is a private Company 100% owned by Patrick, who is also the President & CEO. He also formed and is President & CEO of Genesis Energy, Inc., a private gas gathering and compression Company.

Patrick has been married to his wife and partner, Toni, for 38 years. They have two children Joseph and Tori, who are both married and added an amazing son-in-law and daughter-in-law to the family, Justin and Keelie. Patrick and Toni have two grandchildren, Jet Patrick and Maida Jo.

ROCK ZIERMAN, VICE PRESIDENT

Rock Zierman is the Chief Executive Officer for the California Independent Petroleum Association. He has worked with CIPA since October 2002. Prior to being appointed CEO, Rock served as both the Director of Public Affairs for CIPA, and the Executive Director of the California Natural Gas Producers Association (CNGPA), a wholly owned subsidiary organization of CIPA.

Rock recommends and implements policy for the Association’s 50 member Board of Directors. He serves as chief spokesperson for the Association and coordinates all of its state and national legislative activities. Rock also serves on the Board of Directors of the Domestic Energy Producers Association (DEPA) and the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA).

Prior to joining CIPA, Rock served as Chief of Staff to Assemblyman Mike Briggs (Fresno). Rock has also served in the offices of Assembly members Chuck Quackenbush (San Jose), Tom Bordonaro (Paso Robles), and Robert Prenter (Hanford).

Rock graduated from Santa Clara University with a business degree in economics.

The American Petroleum Institute’s (API) endorsement of carbon pricing (the first step toward a carbon tax) represents another effort by large multinational conglomerates pandering to bureaucrats, politicians, and Green New Deal activists at the expense of American energy and industrial independence and the American working class.

Pricing and taxing carbon harms working families, undermines US energy and industrial independence, and costs jobs.  Like so many other so-called progressive policies, governments and big corporations reap the benefits while US workers and consumers are left to pay the bill in wages and lost jobs.

• Carbon pricing and taxation is designed to raise the cost of gasoline, home heating oil, natural gas, and coal to unaffordable levels, forcing businesses and consumers into less reliable and non-competitive renewable energy such as windmills, solar panels and batteries. Big business simply passes on the costs – leaving consumers to foot the bill. In the European Union (EU) for example the EU charges a minimum duty of $1.61 per gallon on gasoline.
• A similar regime in the US would add nearly $30 to an 18-gallon tank of gas. For a 34-gallon F150 pick-up that would be a $55 dollar increase in the cost of a tank of gas for the working men and women of the US.  Working class Americans would see similar percentage price increases in home heating oil and natural gas as well as electricity generated by fossil fuels.
• Carbon pricing and taxation is extremely regressive – hitting the most economically vulnerable the hardest, while leaving the wealthy elite relatively untouched as percentage of household income. According to the Congressional Research Service: “When the carbon tax is passed forward to consumers, lower-income households in particular would likely face a disproportionate impact (i.e., regressive outcome), because a larger percentage of their income is used to pay for energy needs, such as electricity, gasoline, or home heating oil.”
• The two-fold effect of a US carbon tax would be to price US manufacturers out of competition with China while destroying US energy and industrial independence.
  • Forcing US consumers into electric vehicles means a near-complete reliance on China for basic private and commercial transportation. According to the Institute for EnergyResearch:  “In 2019, Chinese chemical companies accounted for 80% of the world’s total output of raw materials for advanced batteries. China controls the processing of pretty much all the critical minerals–rare earth, lithium, cobalt, and graphite. Of the 136 lithium-ion battery plants in the pipeline to 2029, 101 are based in China.”
    • According to the Energy Information Agency (EIA) fossil fuels provide 63% of the electricity for US economy. With nuclear providing 20 percent.  All renewables combined account for only 18% of electricity generation in the US.
    • This tax on US manufacturing would hit particularly hard in the industrial mid-west. As noted by the Yale Climate Connection: “The burden might be unevenly distributed regionally, too, and workers in states with energy-intensive industries such as Ohio, Illinois, Michigan and West Virginia could be harder hit.”
    • Carbon pricing and taxation would completely gut the ability to compete against China and render it impossible to re-shore and rebuild the US manufacturing base. US manufacturing will go the way of Europe.

     

    Apparently, API also supports the Paris climate agreement as part of this carbon pricing scheme. We would point out that due to the US shale revolution in oil and gas production, America has reduced carbon emissions more than any other country on the planet.  Look at countries like China and India – the world’s first and fourth biggest emitters. They are on track to have higher emissions in 2030 than today. Until we are honest with ourselves and point to the real polluters of the world – such as the countries with the 300+ coal power plants under construction – no real progress will be made.

     

    DEPA supports a strong environmental policy that is founded on truth and science, not PR stunts and special interests with an aim to only benefit foreign energy production. We strongly urge Congress and those trade associations who have lost sight of reality to gain a comprehensive understanding of the devastation a carbon tax would have on all Americans.

On Monday, March 22nd the Biden White House climate advisor Gina McCarthy held a virtual meeting with what was billed as US domestic energy leaders. In fact, the meeting was dominated by international oil conglomerates. Of the six listed company participants (the White House kept the attendance list secret), five were multinational integrated companies who do not do most of the drilling in the continental US. Conspicuously absent was significant representation from US independent energy producers who dominate US production and US energy jobs. According to the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) “U.S. Independent producers develop 91% of the wells in the US and produce 83% of America’s oil and 90% of America’s natural gas.”

Ms. McCarthy claimed the meeting was to discuss shared priorities, central among them is carbon pricing – a precursor to a highly regressive carbon tax and central to the Biden Administration effort to restrict the ability of the US banking system and financial markets to fund US domestic energy production and pipeline projects – policies that will dramatically increase the cost of gasoline, diesel, natural gas and home heating oil, cripple US energy and industrial independence and cost tens of thousands of jobs.

From Day One the Biden Administration has launched a war against US energy. These actions include banning drilling on federal lands, shutting down construction on the Keystone pipeline and joining the Paris Accord. These measures will cost tens-of-thousands of jobs and cripple US energy and industrial independence. Putting the US at the mercy of OPEC, Russia, and China.

The European energy conglomerates who dominated the McCarthy meeting are all too happy to force draconian, European-style regulation and costs on US producers and consumers who will ultimately
pay the price of the Green New Deal pipe dream.

What does that mean for US consumers? In the 4th quarter of 2019 gasoline in the US averaged $2.91, less than in China, Mexico, and India. In the UK, that same gallon of gas cost $6.17. In France,
$6.90. In Norway, a whopping $7.32. By Norway standards, due to the cost of Paris Accord-style taxes and regulation, a US farmer or construction worker would pay $255 to fill up a medium-size F150 gas
tank.

While these euro-conglomerates and Green New Deal advocates hide behind the claim they support carbon pricing but not carbon taxes, American workers and industry should not be fooled.
Carbon pricing alone would cost the US economy trillions-of-dollars and tens of thousands of high paying jobs as costs are passed to consumers while energy companies and factories shut down as US business is
rendered non-competitive compared to China and India. Moreover, it stretches the limits of credibility to believe the Biden Administration is not seeking to price carbon so that it can tax carbon – a primary goal
of the Green New Deal and radical environmentalists in the US and Europe.

There are many goals shared by all Americans relating to protecting the environment and ensuring affordable, reliable energy, American energy independence and security. However, American
workers and American business should not be fooled. Actions speak louder than words and every action of the Biden Administration – shutting down construction of the Keystone pipeline, joining the Paris
Accord, banning drilling on federal lands, promoting bank and securities regulation that would choke off capital to US energy producers – kills US jobs, US energy and industrial independence.

The U.S. Senate voted on Wednesday to approve a measure to rescind the Trump EPA rule that removed methane, an alleged green-house gas, from regulation as a pollutant.  Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called this move a “big deal” in fighting climate change. The Senate approved the measure in a 52-42 vote. Schumer, along with fellow Democrats Martin Heinrich and Ed Markey and Independent Angus King, introduced their resolution in the Senate under the Congressional Review Act (CRA), a 1996 law that allows Congress to reverse federal rules implemented in the last days of a past administration with a simple majority. Three Republican senators, Susan Collins, Lindsey Graham and Rob Portman, also voted for the measure.

This action essentially reinstates the 2012 and 2016 New Source Performance Standards for Oil and Natural Gas under Quad O and Quad 0a of the Clean Air Act.  The Biden EPA had planned to introduce a new “methane rule” in September, but the use of the CRA to rescind the Trump rule significantly complicates this effort. The CRA requires that any new replacement regulation that would be passed cannot be “substantially similar” to the one already repealed under the CRA without explicit Congressional approval.  A new strictly “methane” rule would not pass that test.

The Trump Administration’s amendments had not only followed the text of the Clean Air Act, but also significantly reduced regulatory burden to the industry and streamlined other requirements. Under the Trump rule, protection of human health and the environment would have continued through controls for smog-forming volatile organic compounds for the production and processing segments of the industry, reducing methane at the same time. The CRA action on this rule represents another of the Biden administration’s measures to eliminate fossil fuels under the Green New Deal.

DEPA believes abundant, reliable, affordable, domestic energy is key to revitalizing the US economy and reshoring US businesses after the COVID crises. We are happy to work with the administration and Congress on real world solutions to providing Americans the energy they need, while being protective of human health and the environment.

Executive Chairman Harold Hamm, Co-Chairs, Fred Zeidman and John McNabb, the Board Directors of the Council for a Secure America (CSA), and the Domestic Energy Producers Alliance (DEPA) stand with the State of Israel during this challenging time. CSA and DEPA strongly support the State of Israel’s right to defend itself against the ongoing rocket attacks originating from the Gaza Strip and the terrorist activities of Hamas. CSA and DEPA echo the bipartisan sentiments held by U.S. leaders – supporting America’s most steadfast ally in the Middle East and its unshakable and unbreakable bond with the United States. CSA and DEPA hope for an expedient end to the violence and a safe resolution for all the innocent victims of this escalation.

You want who? To do what?

On August 11, 2021, the White House released a statement that reads in part . . .

“President Biden has made clear that he wants Americans to have access to affordable and reliable energy, including at the pump . . . We are engaging with relevant OPEC+ members on the importance of competitive markets in setting prices. Competitive energy markets will ensure reliable and stable energy supplies, and OPEC+ must do more to support the recovery.”

When President Biden took office America was exporting more oil and gas than we import for the first time in decades.  In just five short months his policies have completely reset America’s energy independence and now he is asking those OPEC members and the Russians to bail him out of a situation he created.

May we remind the President that HE said on the campaign trail last year that “I will end fossil fuels”.

• HE canceled the Keystone pipeline.
• HE stopped leasing on federal lands.
• HE is ramping up regulatory requirements for domestic oil and gas (which will increase prices).
• HE wants to end oil and gas company tax deductions (not subsidies) that have been in the tax code for 100 years.
• HE lifted sanctions on the NORD Stream 2 pipeline to allow Russian natural gas to flow into western Europe instead of US LNG filling that role.

Mr. President, let the American domestic energy companies supply the citizens of this country, as well as the rest of the world with American oil and gas that is developed, produced, transported, refined, and consumed under strictest rules and regulations on the planet.  We, the Domestic Energy Produces are ready, willing, and able to meet this challenge, and if we are allowed to do that it will bolster national security, benefit our allies, and assist with your climate goals.  Why are you hampering us?

The Domestic Energy Producers Alliance (DEPA) released the following statement in response to President Joe Biden’s call for a Federal Trade Commission investigation into rising gas prices:

The Biden administration need look no further than their own actions to find the primary reason energy prices have escalated since he took office. Within the first week of office, Biden issued an Executive Order halting all U.S. drilling permits and federal leasing. He added further injury to the American oil and gas industry through a batch of punitive, unnecessary, and burdensome regulations on oil and gas operations. These actions have severely hampered American oil and gas companies’ ability to adequately supply the market and has put American Energy Independence at risk.

The market supply deficit which has been artificially created by the Biden administration can quickly be erased by simply reversing these punitive oil and gas policies. American consumers see through this political charade and demand these policies be ended.

Harold Hamm and Continental Resources donate $50 million to create transformational center focused on securing America’s energy future  

The Harold Hamm Foundation and Continental Resources announced a combined $50 million gift creating the Hamm Institute for American Energy. 

The Hamm Institute’s mission is to educate the next generation of energy leaders — in Oklahoma, the United States and from around the world — cementing Oklahoma’s legacy as a global energy leader. 

“The generous gifts from Harold Hamm and Continental Resources to establish the Hamm Institute for American Energy will have a transformative impact on OSU and the energy sector worldwide. With a state-of-the art lab featuring wells drilled below the building, an auditorium, and classrooms, this building is fit for purpose,” OSU President Kayse Shrum said. “Mr. Hamm’s and Continental’s generosity will bring together the brightest minds and future energy sector leaders from around the world, all with a goal of solving one of society’s most pressing concerns. Together, we will change the trajectory of energy security in the United States.”

The initial funding for the institute and project will be a gift of $50 million dollars — $25 million from the Harold Hamm Foundation and $25 million from Continental Resources. The Hamm Institute will be located in what was formerly known as OSU Discovery, 300 NE 9th St. in the Oklahoma City Innovation District and will become the primary and permanent occupant of the building.

The Hamm Institute will become the center of all things American energy. It will host symposiums, authors, speakers, energy summits and global energy leadership conversations. The building will eventually house the Oklahoma Hall of Energy Legends Interactive Museum, a public exhibit highlighting the history and storied legacy of Oklahoma’s great energy leaders. 

Hamm, a native Oklahoman and founder and chairman of Continental Resources, began his career in oil and gas over five decades ago, starting out with a single oil service truck and a dream. His incredible journey, entrepreneurial spirit and will to change the world for the better have inspired countless others, and his latest philanthropic push aims to elevate the state to both new and familiar heights. 

Hamm is recognized as a national leader and staunch advocate of America’s domestic oil and natural gas industry. He has spent over five and a half decades in the industry, from starting his own oil services business to founding one of America’s most dynamic and innovative exploration and production companies, Continental Resources. His efforts have contributed to the well-being of every American and is helping secure the nation’s energy and economic security. The Hamm Institute will ensure America leads the world when it comes to advancing innovation and technology while responsibly producing the energy we need for decades to come.

“It’s time, once again, for Oklahoma to become a global energy leader. It’s my hope the world will look to us for the best ideas when it comes to energy stewardship, research, and education. This gift is about investing in our shared future — the future of our country and the state and people I love,” Hamm said. “ I see the Institute as a game changer — a place where the best and the brightest will come together to responsibly solve the world’s energy challenges. A third of the world lives in energy poverty. We need to fix that. And we need to make sure Americans will always have an abundance of reliable, affordable energy for generations to come.” 

“Oklahoma is an energy state and Harold is our energy icon. This collaboration between one of our great universities and one of our most innovative and successful energy companies and entrepreneurs will raise the bar for American energy innovation,” said Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt. 

In acknowledgement of Continental’s contributions, the building’s concourse and auditorium will be named as the Continental Resources Concourse and Continental Resources Auditorium. The program fund supporting the institute also will be named in recognition of Continental.

“The Hamm Institute belongs here in Oklahoma. It is part of the Continental mission – to find, nurture and inspire the next generation of energy leaders. We envision the Hamm Institute for American Energy to be the epicenter of learning, research and energy innovation for decades to come,” said Bill Berry, Continental Resources CEO.

P​​HOTOS/VIDEO: A multimedia package including b-roll, soundbites and photos is available for media use here: okla.st/hamm.

MEDIA CONTACT: Mack Burke | Editorial Coordinator | 405.744.5540 | news@okstate.edu

You may not have heard, but people are freezing around the world -RIGHT NOW – due to frigid temperatures and a lack of affordable, reliable energy – like the natural gas that heats most U.S. homes. Not just direct gas-fired heat, but according to the Energy Information Administration, natural gas is the #1 source for generating electricity in the U.S. What is the Biden/Harris Administration’s response? It looks like they got together and said, how can we make this worse and be sure that every American has the opportunity to experience a lack of or cost-prohibitive energy.

And who will suffer first and the most? Our low income and disadvantaged communities. Just think for a moment, who is hit hardest with a rise in gasoline prices or increased cost of heating and air conditioning and other energy? The poorest among us!

In the first couple of days in office, Biden/Harris have reentered the Paris climate agreement, imposed a moratorium on oil and gas leasing on federal lands, and canceled the Keystone XL pipeline. These actions are an all-out assault on American energy independence.

Look at the potential impact the federal moratorium may have on just one state. According to the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association, the oil and gas industry supports more than 134,000 jobs and $16.6 billion in annual economic activity. Taxes and royalties from the industry account for 33% of the State of New Mexico’s annual budget, including almost $1.4 billion for public schools.

The Paris agreement will impose costs and emission reductions in the U.S. and other western countries, but the Chinese aren’t required to modify anything until 2030. Want to bet what China will do in 2030 if they decide coal is the cheapest way to fuel their growing need for power in their manufacturing industry? My money says it will be to keep building coal plants.  In the meantime, we have lost more of our critical manufacturing and the reshoring of U.S. manufacturing jobs.

The Keystone XL is simply the most environmentally friendly way to move Canadian oil from Alberta to the Gulf Coast for refining. To pretend otherwise is simply pandering to environmental groups. It doesn’t take a genius to know that pipes are safer, cheaper, and more environmentally positive than rail or trucks. The desire to “keep it in the ground” is out weighting science, logic, and responsible environmental stewardship.

This action will also take an economic toll costing untold numbers of jobs in the U.S. and Canada, including union construction jobs.

To quote Congressman Scalise from Louisiana, “This harmful action by President Biden, on just his first full day in office, threatens the economic livelihoods of millions of American families, and should be immediately reversed. The last thing we need in the middle of a global pandemic is more unemployed Americans and higher energy costs for families who are already struggling. Energy made in America creates jobs, lowers the cost of gas and electricity for all American families and small businesses, and advances American interests on the world stage.” We couldn’t agree more!

Diana Chance started her career serving Rucker Pharmaceuticals as assistant to the Vice President during which time the company went public in a merger with Boots Pharmaceuticals.  She then joined the oil and gas industry where she acquired a broad knowledge of land, legal and governmental issues over the next forty years, primarily, as the Managing Director of Donner Properties, LLC in Shreveport, LA.   She has spent thirty-eight years overseeing 500,000 acres for the company in Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. She periodically serves as an outside consultant and works actively in the industry with oil and gas companies, landowners, organizations and politicians on energy related matters. 

Chance serves on the board of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association (LOGA).  During her twenty-four years on the board, she was elected as the first and only female LOGA Chairman of the Board.  Chance’s articles were frequently featured in the Oil & Gas Journal while serving as chairman, as well as articles in other magazines including American Association of Petroleum Geologists Explorer, May 2006.  The 50^th Anniversary issue of The American Oil & Gas Reporter featured her as one of a few emerging females in the industry.   Chance was described as “the cheerleader” for the development and promotion of coal seam natural gas exploration in Louisiana.  She was surprised to see this article prominently displayed at a booth at the North American Prospect Expo. Through LOGA and other organizations, Chance has served within the political process on a variety of bills and issues affecting the fossil fuel industry.

Chance currently serves on the executive board of directors for the National Association of Royalty Owners, the Domestic Energy Producers Alliance and the Council for a Secure America. She is a member of the Independent Petroleum Association of America, Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association, Texas Land & Minerals Owners Association, Shreveport Geological Society, the American Association of Professional Landmen, the Ark-La-Tex Association of Professional Landmen.  Chance serves on the board for the State of Louisiana Oil City Oil and Gas Museum and participates in her local community and church affairs. She is the widow of Wilton Chance and the mother of two adult children and has one teenage granddaughter.

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Stephanie Canales, Director

Stephanie Canales is a young professional based out of Denver, Colorado with nearly 10 years of oil and gas, environmental, and energy industry related experience. Stephanie currently serves as Senior Business Development Executive for Cougar Drilling Solutions offering downhole drilling tools and technical services throughout North America. In 2017, she joined the Domestic Energy Producers Alliance (DEPA) as a board member under the Membership Committee and has recently accepted a role as an Executive Board Director. Stephanie has also recently been appointed as Ambassador for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Equity in Energy program out of the office of Economic Impact and Diversity.

Following a lifelong aspiration, Stephanie embarked on a career path in the environmental industry. This goal set her up for a career with BP after graduation as an Environmental Scientist following America’s largest remedial effort in history out of southern Louisiana and offshore GOM. While working on BP’s 2010 response effort, she accepted a variety of positions ranging from deck hand to lead scientist. This position eventually led to an opportunity in North Dakota during the “Bakken Boom” as a field sales representative in the oil and gas sector. Stephanie continued gaining experience and eventually entered the corporate world with executive level positions at Schlumberger, Weatherford, BOS Solutions, and more recently Cougar Drilling Solutions.

Stephanie is active in contributing ideas and a voice to publicize the benefits of American energy independence as well as highlighting educational perspectives regarding oil and gas related issues. She believes there is a great deal of history to share and an encouraging outlook ahead for the energy industry. Stephanie enjoys connecting with people and strives to communicate new ideas and fresh perspectives to solve problems while bringing value to the affiliations she’s involved with.

Stephanie has a Bachelor’s from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs in Geography and Environmental Science with a minor in Communications. She is also working towards a Graduate Certificate from Stanford University in Energy Innovation and Emerging Technologies.

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DEPA Press Release – January 29, 2020

The Domestic Energy Producers Alliance (DEPA) congratulates the Trump administration on the threat of U. S. sanctions causing ALL of the international companies working on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline to cease work. (Nord Stream 2 is a natural gas pipeline that runs from Russian gas fields to Germany.) This action tells the world that the U.S. is the world’s economic and energy superpower.

The Administration has repeatedly encouraged Germany to not accept the Russian Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. The Russians have used their natural gas as a political tool and have limited supply and manipulated prices to several European countries. Additionally, the Nord Stream 2 pipeline is being laid under the Black Sea bypassing several Baltic countries as a political ploy by Moscow.
The U. S. is more than able and anxious to supply Germany and all of our allies with American natural gas and oil. We are reliable and can be trusted on our pricing.

This week the Russian pipeline parent company, Gazprom, announced it will attempt to finish the Nord Stream 2 project without the international companies they had been relying on up to this point. We believe the administration deserves congratulations on their ability to redirect construction partners on this project. This move away from the project by international companies indicates that the U.S. is THE economic and energy superpower.

DEPA Press Release – March 19, 2020

It is time for Secretary Wilbur Ross and the Department of Commerce to step up and launch a Section 232 investigation into Saudi Arabia and Russia dumping crude oil on the world market while also selling their crude below market value. This action was undertaken during the current Coronavirus Pandemic and resulted in a collapse of world crude oil prices.
On March 18, 2020 Senator Jim Inhofe sent Secretary Ross a letter requesting just such an investigation. As Senator Inhofe stated in his letter to Secretary Ross. . .” This manipulation of markets has roiled the economy, causing severe trauma to the American energy industry. It is essential that the American government respond with swift, decisive action . . . these actions taken by Saudi Arabia and Russia have added unprecedented hardship on American oil and gas producers and the thousands of blue-collar workers they employ.”
Section 232 and the Mandatory Import Program: Since 1955, Section 232 and its predecessor statute have been used on numerous occasions to address energy security concerns. Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter and Reagan have all invoked Section 232 as a basis for restricting oil imports or for modifying existing restrictions thereon. Section 232 investigations are initiated to determine the effects of imports of any articles on U.S. national security.

The Domestic Energy Producers Alliance (DEPA) support Senator Inhofe’s request completely as the Saudi’s and Russian’s have been very open with their crude oil “price war” and desire to drive U.S. producers out of the market and out of business. We urge Secretary Ross and the Administration to undertake a Section 232 investigation ASAP.

DEPA Press Release – March 26, 2020

The Domestic Energy Producers Alliance (DEPA) Commends Senate Majority Leader McConnell in his steady leadership to providing American workers, families, hospitals and employers a “clean” stimulus package free from partisan giveaways.

The original bi-partisan Senate proposal included filling up the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) with domestically purchased crude. While not a solution to the Saudi/Russian attack on US energy independence the SPR purchase would have provided the US additional strategic reserves of low-cost petroleum and some relief to already struggling US producers being pushed over the edge by the economic shutdown.
Sadly, this desperately needed assistance for workers, families, hospitals and employers was held hostage in an effort to extort Green New Deal giveaways that harken back to the “shovel ready” boondoggle of 2008 and reeks of the kind of cronyism last seen with the Solyndra scandal.

Thankfully Majority Leader McConnell had the courage to reject this cynical game of blackmail, trading the purchase of low-priced US oil for America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve in return for handouts and subsidies to renewable energy companies that are historical unprofitable.

The core of the problem for the U.S. oil and gas industry is the dumping activity of Saudi Arabia and Russia.

When negotiations on a plan for Saudi Arabia and Russia to collude in an effort to raise oil prices broke down both countries began a dumping effort aimed squarely at US oil producers. Russian dumping is pay-back for tough US sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which would complete the Russian energy stronghold on Europe. In 2014 the Saudi’s launched similar campaign, flooding the market with crude oil to drive U.S. domestic producers out of business. That effort failed due to the innovation and resilience of America’s energy workforce and industry. However, with the compounding problem of the global economic shutdown that resiliency is being desperately tested.

Saudi Arabia and Russia are acting like energy superpowers, conspiring in illegal dumping, in an attempt to crush US energy independence and restore their ability to hold the US and the world hostage to high energy prices.

To be clear, there is nothing free market about the collusion of two foreign states to break the back of US energy producers. Equally, there is nothing protectionist about the Trump Administration using the tools that Congress has provided to defend US companies against foreign aggression and anti-competitive activity. Any such claim is reckless and foolish.
If the Saudi and Russian governments do not immediately cease anti-competitive dumping aimed at the US energy industry the only choice for the Trump Administration is to promptly initiate a 232 trade action against both countries.

Failure to defend US energy producers against aggressive anti-competitive actions by Saudi and Russian state energy monopolies will result in the collapse of the US energy industry and any hope for economic recovery and will ultimately lead to higher energy prices for American consumers as US energy independence fades and the OPEC monopoly regains control of global energy markets.

DEPA Press Release – April 9, 2020

The Domestic Energy Producers Alliance (DEPA) is happy to see that the crude oil price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia has apparently been resolved with all OPEC countries and Russia agreeing to cut production by at least 10 million barrels per day in May and June.

Harold Hamm Executive Chairman of Continental Resources and Chairman of DEPA said “We applaud today’s decision by OPEC to cut production. It’s a good and necessary first step to restore some sanity to the global markets and we hope signals the recognition that dumping excess oil into the U.S. market is a losing proposition for all concerned. However, we also all know that demand remains out of sync with supply. The world has lost almost 30 million barrels a day of demand. Here, in the United States, we are rapidly adjusting production to these new realities. We hope that the oil producing nations take additional steps soon to better align demand with supply. We also want to thank President Trump for his steadfast leadership protecting our millions of oil and gas workers, our industry and our energy independence. We are confident that he and the Administration will take the necessary steps to preserve one of America’s most important industries.”

DEPA Press Release – April 22, 2020

Continental Resources, Inc. is requesting an immediate investigation by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) of WTI crude oil futures traded on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) for possible market manipulation, failed systems or computer programming failures in the WTI prompt month May (20), and oil futures contracts on the CME. Continental has also lodged a complaint with CME. As shown below, the unprecedented, historical event of WTI crude oil trading at negative prices for the first time in history and the circumstances surrounding the trading shows the system failed, negatively impacting a significant part of the American economy. Not only did WTI crude futures trade negative, they settled at a bizarre minus $37.63.

The WTI prompt month May (20) contract price settled at $18.27 per barrel on April 17, 2020. On April 20, 2020, the WTI prompt month May (20) crude oil contracts closed down $55.90 or 306% at a minus $37.63 per barrel. Notably the CME chose to announce on April 8, 2020 that it had been testing plans to support the possibility of negative options such that if any month, WTI oil futures settle at a price between $8.00 and $11.00 a barrel that it could switch to a different pricing model that would allow for negative pricing.
Specifically, the CME stated:
“If WTI Crude Oil futures prices settle, in any month, to a price between $8.00 /bbl
And $11.00/bbl, CME Clearing may switch its pricing and margining options models from the existing models to the Bachelier model, currently utilized in numerous spread options products where negative underlying prices and strike levels are a regular occurrence. If any WTI Crude Oil futures prices settle, in any month, to a level below $8.00/bbl, CME Clearing will move to the Bachelier model for all WTI Crude oil options contracts as well as all related crude oil options contracts effective the following trade date. CME Clearing will send out an advisory notice with one day notice before any implementation occurs with all appropriate details.”

At approximately 10:50 a.m. on April 20, 2020, the CME reiterated that WTI futures can trade negative which sent the May contract plummeting to approximately $4.00 a barrel. Trading volume was low prior to the CME announcement but became more active after the announcement. Prior to the CME’s announcement regarding negative settlements, the contract was trading positive. The WTI futures price for the May contract remained positive until approximately 1:08 p.m. CDT when it began dripping precipitously almost $40.00 in the last 22 minutes of trading. The price dropped approximately $25.00 a barrel in a 3 minute span between 1:24 p.m. and 1:27 p.m. CDT.
As noted, this is the first time in history the WTI crude oil price settled below zero with most, if not all of the price decline occurring in the last 22 minutes of trading. This fact, combined with 1) the CME’s unusual announcement only hours earlier, 2) the sudden change in computer models during a time of increased volatility to the Bachelier computer model, 3) the $40.00 drop in the last 22 minutes with a $25.00 drop in a 3-minute span just before trading closed to settle is unprecedented, historical and materially impacts the Calendar Monthly Average (CMA) pricing of the physical barrel and strongly raises the suspicion of market manipulation or a flawed new computer model. The sanctity and trust in the oil and all commodity futures markets are at issue as the system failed miserably and an immediate investigation is requested and, we submit, is required.

In addition to a review of practices at the CME, we strongly urge the market to change to a daily weighted average price to reflect the trading value experienced

DEPA Press Release – April 16, 2020

The Domestic Energy Producers Alliance (DEPA) supports the request made by the Governors of Texas, Utah, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Wyoming formally asking U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler for an expedited waiver of the renewable volume obligation (RVO)* under the Renewable Fuel Standard RFS consistent with Section 211(o)(7) of CAA in order to address severe economic harm compounded by the current national emergency.

There is no question that currently there is a clear threat to the industry and its supply chain. We wholeheartedly agree that an expeditious answer to this request is needed as sweeping economic impacts to industrial employment, consumer interests, and all aspects of the economy will be compounded by any delay.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has cut its 2020 growth forecast for global oil demand, predicting the first quarterly contraction in more than 10 years. The IEA has also revised down the outlook for global refinery runs. As the world economy responds to measures adopted to contain COVID-19, demand for refined products for air transportation, global delivery of goods, and petrochemicals decline – and any rebound of necessity will occur only after containment restores predictable economic growth. In the interim, the U.S. refining sector will face real and substantial difficulty.
We are confident the Administration will take the necessary steps to preserve one of America’s most important industries. Our industry is critical to the health, security, and stability of the United States. EPA action is vital.
* as authorized under Section 211(o)(7) of the Clean Air Act (CAA) (42 U.S.C. §7545(o)(7)) as amended by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.

Ron Ness, Director

Ron Ness is President of the North Dakota Petroleum Council. He has held that position since 1999; his primary function is governmental relations in North Dakota. He serves as the industry spokesperson and manages the association which represents more than 500 companies involved in all aspects of North Dakota’s oil and gas industry.

Ness was previously President of the North Dakota Retail and Petroleum Marketers Association. Prior to that he spent ten years with the State of North Dakota, most of which as the Deputy Commissioner of Labor.

Ness is a Tolna, North Dakota native, a graduate of North Dakota State University in Business and Economics, and received his masters in management from the University of Mary.

Ness was appointed by Governor’s Schafer, Hoeven, Dalrymple and Burgum to the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, the Oil and Gas Research Council, the Empower North Dakota Commission and the Governor’s Revenue Advisory Committee.

Ness also serves as the Chairman of the Board for the Energy Environmental Research Center’s Foundation. He is on the Board of Directors for the Mule Deer Foundation, Sanford Health Bismarck, the Domestic Energy Producers Alliance, the North Dakota Kids First Foundation, the Missouri River Advisory Council and the Board of Regents at the University of Mary. Ness is also a partner in Bismarck Partners a commercial real estate group.

Ness and his wife Becky have three children and are avid outdoorsmen, who enjoy golfing, fishing and hunting.

Ben Shepperd, Director

Ben Shepperd serves as the President of the Permian Basin Petroleum Association based in Midland, Texas, since 2006. In that role he represents oil and gas interests before legislative and regulatory bodies in Texas, New Mexico and Washington, D.C. He has more than twenty years working on state legislative and regulatory issues. His Austin experience includes staffing several Texas House members, including David Swinford, Harvey Hilderbran, and Buddy West. He served as committee counsel for the House Energy Resources Committee under Chairman West. He also served as Chairman Hilderbran’s water policy advisor in the 79th Legislative Session focusing on issues before the Natural Resources Committee.

He also worked for three different state agencies over those years, including the Department of Agriculture, director of Rural Affairs for the Department of Economic Development, and as Legislative and Policy Director for Commissioner Charles Matthews at the Railroad Commission. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science from Texas A & M University in College Station. Mr. Shepperd is a board member of the John Ben Shepperd Public Leadership Institute Foundation at the University of Texas at the Permian Basin, as well as on the Advisory Council for the UTPB School of Business.

Brook Simmons, Director

Simmons served as the federal lobbyist for the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association (OIPA) from 2008-2015. He served on the executive committee of the board of directors for the Oklahoma Oil & Gas Association (OKOGA) from 2015-2019 and helped merge the organizations into the Petroleum Alliance of Oklahoma.

From 2015 until its acquisition by Encana (now Ovintiv) in 2019, Brook Simmons managed federal, state and local government affairs for Newfield Exploration, and worked in Oklahoma with frequency. Since then, Simmons has represented private clients on federal issues in Washington, D.C.

Simmons has served on the board of directors for the Western Energy Alliance (WEA), North Dakota Petroleum Council (NDPC), Royalty Owners & Producers Educational Coalition (ROPE), and the Utah Petroleum Association (UPA). He also served on Utah Governor Gary Herbert’s Energy Advisory Council.

Simmons is a graduate of Ardmore High School and the University of Oklahoma. A former journalist, he worked in Congress from 1991-2004 – serving U.S. Senator Don Nickles, R-Okla., and U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield, R-Ky. – while taking breaks to work on campaigns and to serve as spokesman for the American Sportfishing Association.