Gov. Jack Dalrymple today announced that the first annual Governor's Empower North Dakota Energy Conference will be held November 2 at the Civic Center in Bismarck. The event will bring together representatives of industry and government with the intention of identifying opportunities and challenges to growing the state's energy sector and advancing the state's comprehensive energy policy, Empower North Dakota.
"I'm excited to announce that our administration is partnering with the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber to create a forum for identifying opportunities to advance North Dakota's energy industry," Dalrymple said. "The growth of the energy industry is vital to the continued prosperity of our state and to decreasing our nation's dependence on foreign oil. By bringing together key industry leaders, we can identify ways to expand all energy sectors, both traditional and renewable, and continue to position North Dakota as a leader in energy development."
The conference will be hosted by the Governor's Office, the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce and the North Dakota Department of Commerce. Industry, government and association officials are working together to develop an agenda based around the identified Empower North Dakota priorities. The one-day event will include a series of keynote speakers and panel discussions focused on enhancing the business climate for energy development in North Dakota.
"Without question, energy is a key economic component of our community and our state," said Kelvin Hullet, President of the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber. "It is important that we understand the interplay between the different sources of energy generated in North Dakota and work on the common issues identified by individual sectors. We are also anxious to get a better understanding of how changes at the national level will impact our state."
More information about the conference will be available soon. Participants will be able to register through the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber website (www.bismarckmandan.com) beginning on August 15.