Business and Our Energy Future

Good business requires the assessment of risk.

Here is an article by Debbie Kelly, at The Gazette: Summit aims to answer oil, gas exploration questions.

The article overviews an upcoming “town-hall” like meeting where representative of various Colorado governmental agencies (Colorado Geological Survey, Oil and Gas Commission, Ground Water Commission and Department of Water Resources) will present information about issues associated with new opportunities to explore for oil and gas along Colorado’s Front Range. Also in attendance will be representatives’ form the oil and gas industry.

Technological advancements in drilling for oil and gas have opened tremendous opportunities to produce energy sources that are critical to our economy and culture. The direct benefit to business and local economies, and the subsequent addition of new fuel sources to our overall society cannot be underestimated. However, exploration and production of natural resources (mining) effect the environment and can produce social strains on communities were they are produced. There are certain risk-reward trade offs that are associated with business and our energy future.

This forum is be sponsored by State Rep. Marsha Looper, R-Calhan, whose goal is to is “to educate policy makers and property owners in El Paso and Elbert counties about the impacts and issues associated with large-scale industrial oil and gas production in communities that solely rely on groundwater as their primary source of water.”

I applaud Representative Looper for her efforts in working to bring stakeholders together to understand and assess the risk-reward decision associated with large-scale energy production. Natural resource education, including an understanding of the issues associated with extraction, is critical in determining the future of our massive energy needs.

The ease of “flicking a switch” simplifies the complex issues associated with the economic, social and environmental utilization of our natural resources.

Good business requires the assessment of risks. And risk assessment begins with communications and education.