A Conversation on Energy Visits Macon
ConocoPhillips, Mercer University, and Macon State College invite Georgians to town hall meeting to discuss America’s energy future.
Macon was the 23rd stop on a 35-city Conversation on Energy tour – a town hall forum to discuss the state’s and nation’s energy future. Nearly 100 middle Georgia residents gathered on Sept. 6 to discuss energy policy, issues and potential solutions at the meeting, co-hosted by ConocoPhillips, Mercer University and Macon State College. With support from 12 community partners – including the Georgia Department of Agriculture, the Georgia Forestry Commission and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce – residents, business leaders and industry officials shared views on energy issues and gained insight from a panel of experts.
Bob Ridge, vice president of Health, Safety & Environment, and Colette Reynolds, manager of Non-Conventional Gas, represented ConocoPhillips on the panel. Other panelists included Clint Thompson, principal of Thompson, Hoffman & Company; George M. Israel, III, president and CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce; and Charise Stephens, executive director of the Middle Georgia Clean Cities Coalition. Dr. Peter Brown, senior vice provost of Mercer University, served as the panel’s moderator.
Dr. Brown kicked off the meeting by stressing that growth and expansion are causing great strain on our country’s resources. He stated that everyone is responsible for making conservation a priority.
Ridge thanked guests for attending and said that the discussion is long overdue, as energy is on the minds of most every American. Ridge explained that the notion of energy independence likely will not be achievable short term. Rather, he stressed a focus on energy security through four major factors: diversification of supply, efficiency, innovation and investment in research and development, and protection of the environment.
Thompson explained that his company is involved in a variety of new energy initiatives including grain ethanol plants, biofuels, and technology research. He gave a brief history of the development of alternative resources and noted that interest from politicians has increased in response to prices at the pump. He stressed the importance of exploring all energy resources, saying, “The solution really requires a little bit of everything - ethanol, traditional oil and gas, biofuels and alternative sources like wind and water.”
Reynolds, representing ConocoPhillips engineers and scientists, thanked the community for a day of productive discussions including visits to Central High School, Macon State College and Mercer University. She also stressed the importance of science education to ConocoPhillips. With more than 13,000 engineers and scientists, she said ConocoPhillips has stepped up funding for research and development by 50 percent to increase the efficiency of fuels and refinement processes, develop new production techniques, explore alternative fuel opportunities and decrease its own carbon footprint.
Representing the Middle Georgia Clean Cities Coalition, Stephens said she has spent the past several years working to educate Georgians on how to make smarter transportation choices. She also said the organization has been instrumental in helping to convert Macon city vehicles to a variety of new alternative fuel blends to increase fuel efficiency.
Israel, representing the Georgia business community, noted that it’s time for a reality check. “Green energy alone cannot replace fossil fuels. However, we certainly do need to emphasize alternative resources and efficiency,” he said. The Georgia Chamber of Commerce recently worked to help develop first comprehensive energy policy for the state of Georgia.
After these opening remarks, Dr. Brown opened the floor to questions.
The first resident remarked that Georgia is a leader in production of renewable fuels, but felt that big oil companies were forcing producers out of the market. She asked how ConocoPhillips could help. Ridge complimented the producers and noted that they are crucial to energy diversity. He emphasized productive discussions with biofuels leaders throughout the day and reinforced ConocoPhillips’ view that all innovative solutions are needed.
Another guest applauded ConocoPhillips for supporting a mandatory national framework to reduce emissions and for joining the U.S. Climate Action Partnership. She mentioned that only 10 percent of the current supply was renewable fuels, and she wondered what role ConocoPhillips would play in investing more in renewables. Ridge reiterated the company’s increased research and development spending. Reynolds noted the need to continue to find and hire scientists and other experts who can add to the company’s alternative and renewable fuels research programs.
One attendee asked what the panel thought of global warming. Ridge said ConocoPhillips wants to be on the forefront in establishing a national framework to address climate change. Israel stated that although he can’t deny warming, he doesn’t feel there is enough research to prove it’s not cyclical.
The next resident said he was interested in using energy sources that aren’t a drain to produce, such as wind and solar. He wondered if there was a possibility these types would play a major role in the near future. Thompson replied that that would take investment from large and small companies willing to use renewables. Israel added that given the increased demand the U.S. is facing, the solution will be a combination of all resources, not just renewables. Ridge discussed a transition from a heavy dependence on carbon-based resources to a wide variety of energy solutions. However, he added that companies like ConocoPhillips will still need to meet the energy needs of our society in the meantime.
The evening wrapped up with a question from a retired engineering professor who asked about hydrogen as a resource. Reynolds explained that although hydrogen is currently not an efficient energy source and that infrastructure issues exist, it may play a large role in our energy supply 50 to 60 years in the future. Hydrogen may very well be the next step after ethanol, she said.
The session also featured discussion on tax policy and incentives, technology investments to meet state energy requirements for Robins Air Force base in Macon, and tips on changing our behaviors to be more energy efficient. The panelists also stayed to visit with guests following the town hall meeting.
Exploring New Horizons
ConocoPhillips scientists focus on developing renewable energy technologies.
In April 2007, ConocoPhillips announced its alliance with Tyson Foods, Inc. to produce the next generation of renewable diesel fuel from beef, pork and poultry fat. The alliance will create a transportation fuel that contributes to America’s energy future, helps address climate change concerns, and helps supplement the traditional oil-based diesel fuel supply. The company also said it will establish an eight-year, $22.5 million research program at Iowa State University dedicated to developing technologies that produce biorenewable fuels.
In December 2006, the company began commercial production of renewable diesel at its Whitegate Refinery in Cork, Ireland. The production process, which was developed by ConocoPhillips, uses soybeans and other vegetable oils to produce renewable diesel fuel that meets European Union standards for diesel fuels.
ConocoPhillips employs a team of approximately 250 scientists, engineers, and researchers to explore viable alternative and renewable energy sources. These scientists are studying everything from clean-coal technology applications to liquefied natural gas initiatives.
A major area of interest is in hydrogen research, which is why ConocoPhillips is a partner in the Freedom Car & Fuel Partnership, a collaborative including the U.S. Department of Energy, automakers and energy companies. The partnership explores energy, environmental and economic attributes of various pathways to hydrogen production, as well as the merits of hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles.
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