Brian Schweitzer to host energy conference

Leave it to Governor Schweitzer to take the lead in hosting what is a conference to plan for Montana's energy needs but also a blueprint for the current resident of the White House to emulate:

September 08, 2005
Eight governors to attend energy conference in Bozeman
By Walt Williams - Bozeman Daily Chronicle Staff Writer

The governors of eight states will gather in Bozeman next month for a two-day conference being held to develop a long-term energy policy for the state of Montana.

Govs. Bill Richardson of New Mexico, Christine Gregoire of Washington and Dave Freudenthal of Wyoming will be among those attending the Montana's Energy Future Symposium, taking place Oct. 18 and 19 at Montana State University.
The conference is the brainchild of Gov. Brian Schweitzer, who is using it to bring together the best minds to tackle everything from energy production to environmental protection.

"Only by working together will we be able to form a stable, long-term energy policy that protects the citizens and ratepayers of Montana, protects our environment, while further strengthening our economy," Schweitzer said in a prepared statement released Wednesday.

The conference will mostly consist of work sessions, covering such topics as natural gas production and transmission; the state's coal industry; renewable resources; biofuels; tribal perspectives on energy development; and carbon sequestration, which has been touted as a possible solution to global warming.

Panelists will include representatives from the energy industry, environmental groups and a wide variety of other interests.

"The overall goal is to bring together experts from all walks of life to come up with the most effective energy policy in the state of Montana," Rhonda Whiting of the Northwest Power and Conservation Council said. She is one of two people organizing the conference for the governor's office.

The main event will be a governor's panel on energy policy moderated by Schweitzer on Oct. 18. All the governors will participate except Richardson, a former U.S. secretary of energy. He will instead deliver the lunchtime address on Oct. 19.

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