| Board of directors are Jerry Carlson, Harrold Cunningham, Kenneth Payne, Rick Olsen, Ellis Pierce, Sam Quigley, Dave Sorrells, Duane Zavadil. Not pictured is Ryan Thomas |
It was all about energy and there was plenty of positive energy as over 300 producers and friends of the energy industry gathered at the Elks last Thursday for the first Southeastern Utah Energy Producers Association banquet.
It was a social affair with Kenneth Payne, an energy consultant with the KP Company in Price introducing the newly elected board of directors. “Our mission will be to engage in activities that will promote energy production, along with education on the industry and to help with the overall economic development of the area,” said Payne.
Their plan included bringing people together from all aspects of the energy business and the first attempt was very successful.
Price Mayor Joe Piccolo welcomed the group and reminded people that energy development and production has always played a major role in Carbon County’s economy. He said that these efforts are long overdue and emphasized that Price City stands firm in supporting the association. “Your approach to positive and responsible managing of resources are cohesive with Price city’s goals,” he commented. “We speak in unison and we will be heard. Energy is an important asset to our city, county, state and nation and we will walk in lock-step towards our goals.”
Joining Payne on the board includes Duane Zavadil, with Bill Barrett Corporation as vice president, and Jerry Carlson, Castle Valley Services in Price as secretary/treasurer. Board members are Harold Cunningham, PacifiCorp; Ellis Pierce, Pierce Oil; Ryan Thomas from the College of Eastern Utah, Rick “Reid” Olsen, Arch Coal Dugout mine;Sam Quigley, Andalex, and Dave Sorrells, Savage Industries
One position from the gas industry remains open.
Several politicians were in attendance including city officials form Price and Helper and county commissioners from Carbon and Emery county as well as representatives from various officers and agencies from Grand, San Juan and Severe counties. Several state senators and representatives joined the group.
The association is a brain child of the recently formed Carbon Small Business Alliance. In the last 20 years, coal bed methane has been developed to the point that there are literally thousands of holes in the area producing gas for the American public’s consumption. However, the factions that produce the different kinds of energy have not been totally united when it comes to public policy and the advancement of the other economic interests in the area.
With the situation in mind, the new association plans to develop strategies intended to change past practices, develop unity and promote community development.
The areas include coal production and transportation, gas/oil development and production, power generation and suppliers to all those industries as well.
“There has never been an organization that represents all those factions of the energy industry from this part of the state,” says Jerry Carlson who owns Castle Valley Services in Price. “Included in the organization will be groups from all various areas of this part of the state that are associated with the industries.”