UW SER to Host Tribal Energy Summit Oct. 17

The University of Wyoming's School of Energy Resources (SER) will host a Tribal Energy Summit Thursday, Oct. 17.

The first-of-its-kind conference for UW aims to bring together leaders from energy-producing tribal nations and tribal energy companies to hear from them directly about challenges and opportunities for continued energy development in the rural American West.

Presented in partnership with the Denver law firm Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, the program will begin at 9 a.m. in the UW Conference Center at the Hilton Garden Inn and is free and open to the public. A livestreaming option also will be available.

State Sen. Affie Ellis, R-Cheyenne, will be the featured keynote speaker, and she says the conference will foster important dialogue with tribes regarding energy development.

"Tribes and their citizens in the rural West have been important contributors to providing reliable, affordable power to America," Ellis says. "They also have been adapting to changes in energy production techniques and market demands and face similar challenges to Wyoming in assuring that projects have robust social license and that the benefits of extraction and production are localized. With many lessons to be learned from their experiences, this forum will bring those issues to the forefront."

Much like Wyoming, the changing energy landscape requires energy-producing sovereigns to innovate with new technologies and business models to meet growing energy demand and secure continued revenue streams through energy development, mining and new business growth.

"This conference would not be happening without the help of Sen. Ellis," says SER Executive Director Holly Krutka. "While the concept for this event was inspired by request and feedback from our students, there's much for all of us to learn from tribes regarding their preferences for energy production and how to address gaps in communication."

The conference will feature panels covering topics related to carbon capture, utilization and storage and emerging technologies; rare earth elements and critical materials; community consultation and engagement; and a roundtable discussion with tribal leaders to learn about the challenges faced when trying to initiate energy projects on tribal lands.

"The Tribal Energy Summit is one of the many ways UW demonstrates its commitment to supporting tribal communities in Wyoming and beyond," says UW President Ed Seidel. "The summit presents new opportunities for UW to collaborate with tribes and other organizations to develop mutually beneficial strategies that enhance energy programs, research and economic development."

To register for the conference, view the schedule or learn more about the speakers, visit the conference webpage at www.uwyo.edu/ser/events/conferences/tribal-energy-summit/index.html. Continuing legal education credits and American Association of Professional Landmen credits are available.

UW students, faculty and staff members are encouraged to attend. For those attending online, a link will be emailed a day before the event. For those unable to attend, the event will be recorded, and presentations will be posted and shared with registrants at the conclusion of the conference.

The conference also is providing recognized sponsorship opportunities for those wishing to help make the event a success. For more information, email Christine Reed, SER outreach director, at [email protected].

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