State’s in mix at energy meeting

Governor hopes Trump cuts rules

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson is meeting with fellow governors in Washington, D. C., this week for what’s being called the Governor’s Summit on Energy Security and Infrastructure.

Political, regulatory, industry and academic leaders are all on hand for the two- day event, which concludes today.

“It’s a broad- ranging group of people that are sharing ideas on the direction that the new administration should go on energy policy,” Hutchinson said in an interview Thursday.

Participants include Republican Govs. Matt Mead of Wyoming, Matt Bevin of Kentucky, Gary Herbert of Utah and Henry McMaster of South Carolina. Wyoming is the nation’s top coal- producing state, while Kentucky ranks third. Utah ranks 13th, according to the U. S. Department of Energy.

Wyoming, Arkansas and Utah all rank in the top 10 for natural gas production.

South Carolina, which produces little coal or natural gas, has embraced atomic energy. It has two nuclear plants under construction, and nuclear power accounted for more than half the state’s net electric-

ity generation in 2015.

The session topics include “Energy Infrastructure and Modernization,” “Energy and Environment” and “Cybersecurity for Energy Systems.”

Others attending include Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission Director Lawrence Bengal; Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp. President and Chief Executive Officer Duane Highley; Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality Director Becky Keogh and John Bethel, executive director of of the general staff of the Arkansas Public Service Commission.

University of Arkansas electrical engineering professor Alan Mantooth was the facilitator for the cybersecurity session; the Fayetteville school

has a federally funded program that focuses on cybersecurity research and development.

Hackers, panelists said, must be fought and money must be invested to keep the system secure.

“You have this ever- evolving adversary that you have to deal with, and that makes the cyber problem the never- ending problem,” Mantooth said in an interview after Thursday’s session. “[ Cybersecurity] just has to be part of the operating costs because we can’t ever let our guard down on these things.”

During another panel, participants complained about cumbersome regulations. A permitting process that takes a few months on private land can take a few years if it involves public property.

Hutchinson, who serves as chairman of both the Interstate

Oil and Gas Compact Commission as well as the Southern States Energy Board, said the meeting would emphasize the need for “a broad diversity of energy sources.”

“We have more energy independence in the United States of America than we’ve had in 40 years and that’s because of technology and the emphasis upon having a number of energy sources in our mix,” he said.

Hutchinson said he hoped to also highlight the need for better energy infrastructure and enhanced cybersecurity.

He also planned to push for the increased use of natural gas as an energy source.

After the energy summit concludes, Hutchinson and his colleagues will gather for the National Governors Association’s winter meeting. The four- day event will include

a black- tie ball at the White House Sunday evening as well as a meeting with President Donald Trump on Monday.

Hutchinson predicted the energy industry would fare better under a Trump administration.

“Without any doubt, I expect them to roll back some of the burdensome regulations that have stymied the energy production in our country,” he said.