12:30 - 1:15
Registration
1:15 - 1:30
Welcome
1:30 - 1:45
2012 Idaho Legislative Session
Senator Monty Pearce, Chair, Senate Resources and the Environment Committee
Representative John A. Stevenson, Chair, House Resources and Conservation Committee
1:45 - 3:00
Regulating Natural Gas Drilling in Southwest Idaho
The recent discovery of natural gas deposits in southwest Idaho has sparked a vigorous debate about how to address the environmental issues raised by the state's first real prospect for commercial oil and gas production. Much of the attention has focused on how gas field operators will employ the controversial practice of hydraulic fracturing - known as "fracking." But, the issues go well beyond fracking to include wastewater handling, resource conservation, land use planning, and other concerns. In the fall of 2011, the long-dormant Idaho Oil and Gas Conservation Commission adopted new rules governing natural gas production. Meanwhile, county commissioners are grappling with whether to adopt local ordinances. The resulting debate over who should regulate this emerging industry and how it should be regulated will play out in the 2012 legislative session.
- Dr. Virginia Gillerman, Idaho Geological Survey
- Eric Wilson, Minerals Program Manager, Idaho Department of Lands
- Justin Hayes, Idaho Conservation League
- John Peiserich, Perkins & Trotter, Adjunct Professor of Oil & Gas, Bowen School of Law, University of Arkansas
- Marc Shigeta, Payette County Commissioner
3:00 pm - 3:15 pm
Break
3:15 - 4:15
2012 Report Card for Idaho's Infrastructure
In our daily activities, how many people think for a moment about the roads, bridges, water systems, sewage disposal, and electrical power they are using? That's how it should be; public infrastructure is meant to meet our needs every minute of every day, safely and efficiently. Catastrophic infrastructure failure makes the news because it rarely happens and the result is painful. Less obvious is the deterioration of existing structures or their lack of capacity to meet our needs, both of which control our economic growth and quality of life. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) reported in their 2009 report card of America's infrastructure that conditions had worsened since the 2005 report card, dragging the National Infrastructure G.P.A. down to a D.
The Southern Idaho Section of the ASCE has begun the development of a Report Card for Idaho's infrastructure. Four of their members will report on the results for three areas: municipal water and wastewater, transportation, and energy. How does Idaho stack up in comparison to the Nation? Sure, part of the solution is more money, but there is never enough money, so how do we evaluate investments and set priorities?
Speakers from American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) committee:
- Seth Olsen (GeoEngineers), Committee Chair
- Gary Ashby (Forsgren), Municipal water and wastewater
- Dave Butzier (URS), Transportation
- Kip Sykes (Idaho Power), Energy
4:15pm - 4:45
An IEF Identity Crisis - How Green is our Valley?
- Brand Consultants: Tom Willmorth and Joe Golden
4:45 pm - 7:00
Reception Appetizers and Cocktails
Complimentary for all Forum participants
CONTACT US:
Idaho Environmental Forum
ief@idahoenvironmentalforum.or
208-761-2989 |
