Energy & Environment Committee

Southern states have abundant natural resources which have been instrumental in the recent growth and development throughout the region. In sustaining economic development, meeting growing energy needs, and maintaining the South’s high quality of life, states are increasingly recognizing the need to forge Energy & Environmental policies that ensure sound stewardship of the region’s resources and the economy of the region as a whole. Through panel discussions and presentations, the Committee has studied clean water programs and water permitting; alternative energy; the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); state compliance with federal clean air and water standards; the future for nuclear power; the role of merchant power plants; the ramifications of deregulation on Southern states; growth and sprawl; and surveyed recent legislative and state public utility activity.

SLC Policy Analyst Jeremy Williams at technical tour of Alberta oil sands

November 29 - December 1, 2011, SLC Energy Policy Analyst Jeremy Williams joined a group of policy research staff from across the United States for a visit to the northern Albertan oil sands, a technical tour and briefing hosted by the Consulate General of Canada in coordination with the provincial government of Alberta. The technical tour and briefing involved presentations and discussions on Canada-U.S. energy relations (since 1999, Canada has been the largest supplier of crude and refined oil imports to the United States), responsible energy development, environmental advances in oil sands production processes, and economic development opportunities related to energy production. The trip also included tours of both mining and in situ oil sands refineries near Fort McMurray, Alberta.