ROANOKE, W.Va. — Business leaders from across the state are gathered at Stonewall Jackson Resort to talk energy. It’s the annual Governor’s Energy Summit. It brings together energy producers from around West Virginia to talk about their business, the future of energy here in the state and the problems they’re facing.
“In the case of West Virginia, we’re a very strong energy player. We are a major producer of energy: coal, natural gas and electricity for the rest of the nation,” said Jeff Herholdt, the director of the West Virginia Division of Energy.
During the two-day event which got started Thursday afternoon, participants will hear from 24 different speakers. They come from a range of energy industries with different points of view.
“We are very keen that the nation should focus on all developing all of its cost-competitive energy resources,” explained Herholdt. “That’s what we’re highlighting.
Topics for the event vary from small-scale solar and wind, coal to liquids, shale gas and Appalachian petroleum. Herholdt stressed it’s a chance for all industries to share ideas and concerns.
“We have tables of ten people each. They’ll be sitting around and certainly having conversations about the presentations that go on. This is a great learning experience for everybody,” Herholdt said.
Also on the summit agenda Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin and Second District Congresswoman Shelly Moore Capito.