Location

USU Eccles Conference Center

Event Website

http://www.restoringthewest.org/

Streaming Media

Abstract

In his 10-Year Strategic Energy Plan released in 2011, Governor Gary R. Herbert established a goal of promoting “Responsible Energy Development” that makes use of all of Utah’s energy resources, including conventional and alternative, in an environmentally responsible way. Already, energy resource developers are compelled to operate within a comprehensive environmental regulatory framework which they often perceive as onerous. Yet even with such laws in place the conflicts between resource development and conservation values routinely lead to anxiety and recrimination. In addition to an implicit potential for environmental harm, the development of natural resources at any significant scale may reshape communities and fray delicate social structures. Despite these dynamics and concerns, the critical importance of energy development, both to our economies and to our very way of life, cannot be downplayed. Therefore, it is contingent upon us to balance this development with the environmental goods that we all hold so dear. Utah has a knack for leadership, and it is our duty to add value and meaning to ideas like “responsible energy development.” The path forward must involve long-term community planning, honest science, creative technologies, and a willingness for a variety of unlikely stakeholders to create partnerships guided by pragmatism and a shared love for Utah’s many breathtaking and delicate ecosystems.

Cody Stewart, Energy Advisor to Governor Gary Herbert, 324 South State Street, Suite 500, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, CodyStewart@utah.gov

Cody Stewart has more than a decade of experience in government and public policy with a special focus on energy and western natural resource policy. Mr. Stewart has worked in a number of capacities focusing on both Utah and national energy and natural resource policy, including as the Communications Coordinator for the House Committee on Natural Resources under Chairman Jim Hansen (UT-01), as a senior Legislative Assistant on Energy and Public Lands Policy to Congressman Chris Cannon (UT-03), as Executive Director of the Congressional Western Caucus, as a Legislative Director for Congressman Rob Bishop (UT-01), and most recently as Chief-of-Staff to Lt. Governor Greg Bell. Stewart was born and raised in Utah. He graduated from Utah State University where he received bachelor’s degrees in both History and Political Science. Cody also received a joint MBA/Masters degree in Government from Johns Hopkins University. Stewart lives with his wife, Mary, and their five children in Farmington, Utah.

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Oct 30th, 8:20 AM Oct 30th, 8:40 AM

Utah’s Leadership in Balancing Energy Development and Conservation

USU Eccles Conference Center

In his 10-Year Strategic Energy Plan released in 2011, Governor Gary R. Herbert established a goal of promoting “Responsible Energy Development” that makes use of all of Utah’s energy resources, including conventional and alternative, in an environmentally responsible way. Already, energy resource developers are compelled to operate within a comprehensive environmental regulatory framework which they often perceive as onerous. Yet even with such laws in place the conflicts between resource development and conservation values routinely lead to anxiety and recrimination. In addition to an implicit potential for environmental harm, the development of natural resources at any significant scale may reshape communities and fray delicate social structures. Despite these dynamics and concerns, the critical importance of energy development, both to our economies and to our very way of life, cannot be downplayed. Therefore, it is contingent upon us to balance this development with the environmental goods that we all hold so dear. Utah has a knack for leadership, and it is our duty to add value and meaning to ideas like “responsible energy development.” The path forward must involve long-term community planning, honest science, creative technologies, and a willingness for a variety of unlikely stakeholders to create partnerships guided by pragmatism and a shared love for Utah’s many breathtaking and delicate ecosystems.

Cody Stewart, Energy Advisor to Governor Gary Herbert, 324 South State Street, Suite 500, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, CodyStewart@utah.gov

Cody Stewart has more than a decade of experience in government and public policy with a special focus on energy and western natural resource policy. Mr. Stewart has worked in a number of capacities focusing on both Utah and national energy and natural resource policy, including as the Communications Coordinator for the House Committee on Natural Resources under Chairman Jim Hansen (UT-01), as a senior Legislative Assistant on Energy and Public Lands Policy to Congressman Chris Cannon (UT-03), as Executive Director of the Congressional Western Caucus, as a Legislative Director for Congressman Rob Bishop (UT-01), and most recently as Chief-of-Staff to Lt. Governor Greg Bell. Stewart was born and raised in Utah. He graduated from Utah State University where he received bachelor’s degrees in both History and Political Science. Cody also received a joint MBA/Masters degree in Government from Johns Hopkins University. Stewart lives with his wife, Mary, and their five children in Farmington, Utah.

https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/rtw/2012/october30/2