NEWS
The Voice of the Gas and Oil Industry
December 2021
Federal environmental developments shared There have been several new environmental developments at the federal level during the last few weeks and months. This article will give you an overview of the important issues facing GO WV members in 2022. We begin by tying up a loose end that we reported back in April regarding Senate Joint Resolution 14, which proposed to utilize the 1996 Congressional Review Act to effectively rescind and void the New Source Performance Standards (“NSPS”) titled “Oil and Natural Gas Sector: Emissions Standards for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources Review” that were made by the Trump Administration and that took effect September 14, 2020. The Trump Administration Rule removed sources in the transmission and storage segment from the source category, rescinded the NSPS (including both the VOC and methane requirements)
applicable to those sources, and separately rescinded the methane-specific requirements of the NSPS applicable to sources in the production and processing segments. The Trump Administration Rule changes were nullified effective June 30, 2021, thereby Mark Clark eliminating some of the Spilman Thomas beneficial changes included & Battle PLLC in the Trump Rule. The tussle over the definition of “waters of the United States” (“WOTUS”) continues. On August 30, 2021, the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona issued an order vacating and remanding the Navigable Waters Federal update Continued on page 12
Plan now to attend the 2022 Winter Meeting
The Gas and Oil Association of WV, Inc. (GOWV) will host its inaugural Winter Meeting on January 19-20, 2022, at the Marriott Town Center Hotel in Charleston. Make plans now to join friends, colleagues, legislators and professional contacts for this exciting two-day event. Mark your calendars and register now online or use the forms on pages 22 and 23. A great lineup of dignitaries, industry personnel and speakers will make your two days in Charleston very worthwhile and meaningful. To better benefit your business, take advantage of the sponsorship opportunities that are available. Simply fill out the sponsor form on page 22 or contact Lori Miller Smith for specific event sponsorships. The positive exposure, educational and networking opportunities make this a great investment for your company.
Wednesday will feature technical presentations on topics of great interest to you and your company, as well as a three-hour Damage Prevention Seminar. Dinner that evening is on your own. At 5:00 p.m. we will welcome legislative leaders to a special reception with GOpac Jeff Isner contributors. This is followed Co-Vice President at 6:00 p.m. by the GO-WV and Program Chair Membership and Legislative Reception which is open to all members and nonmembers paying full registration fee. On Thursday, January 20, breakfast for all attendees begins at 8:00 a.m., prior to the Winter Meeting Continued on page 10
INSIDE
2 Ben Sullivan 3 Member news 4 Charlie Burd 5 Greg Kozera 6 Industry events 7 Thomas Downs 8 Kathy Hill 9 Maribeth Anderson 14 Technical Application 16 Scholarship Application 20 License Application 21 DriveSAFE 22 WM Sponsor 23 WM Registration
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Ben Sullivan GO-WV Co-President
Taking stock of achievements and blessings with gratitude With a chill in the air, flurries in the forecast and the holiday season upon us, it’s time to take stock of where we’ve been and peer around the corner to envision what the new year holds. As I reflect on the past year, I’m particularly thankful to be engaged in the meaningful work of West Virginia’s natural gas and oil industry. I am grateful to all of you, my colleagues, for our work together and your willingness to collaborate to advance our industry and profession. And I’m humbled in the realization that the products we produce make all West Virginians’ lives better. The merger between IOGA and WVONGA and creation of GO-WV at the start of the year was a monumental accomplishment. Countless hours were spent in the planning and execution of this shared vision and there are many of you to thank for making it happen. Charlie Burd and all the GO-WV staff are to be commended for their tireless efforts to pull the pieces together, and it has resulted in a near seamless transition. The well-worn phrase “We are stronger together” rings very true in this instance. Our workforce, over 19,000 strong, does incredible work. Their labors – from the rig hand, well tender and pipeliner to the accountant, HR professional and junior staffer - make it possible to heat our homes, power our country and make the products we enjoy every day. They deserve our continual thanks and praise. The businesses and organizations throughout West Virginia that support our industry and workforce – our vendors, local schools, vocational and university programs, state government agencies, area chambers of commerce and local nonprofit groups, among others – are a vital part of this industry. They help facilitate the quality of life and necessary services that allow us to do what we do here in the Mountain State. Our companies, beyond the paychecks and taxes that contribute significantly to our state and region’s economy, generously give back to the communities in which we operate. As just a small example, Diversified Energy’s Touchdowns for Turkeys program donated seven turkeys for every touchdown the WVU football team scored throughout this season. More than 350 turkeys were donated to the Mountaineer Food Bank to help feed West Virginians in need this Thanksgiving. We will also be supporting the Marine Toys For Tots program, helping to provide gifts for children this Christmas. And without a doubt, your companies are engaged in similar philanthropic efforts both during the holidays and throughout the year. Our industry plays a pivotal and foundational role in every community across the state, whether gas or oil is being produced there or not. Blessings and gratitude Continued on page 10
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2021 OFFICERS
Presidents: Ben Sullivan/Thomas Westfall Vice Presidents: Maribeth Anderson/Jeff Isner Secretary: Jason Harshbarger Treasurer: Kelly Moss BOARD MEMBERS
John Bane, EQT Corp. Jim Crews, MPLX Carrie Crumpton, CNX Resources Ryan Cunningham, Cunningham Energy Doug Douglass, ConServ Inc. Kevin Ellis, Antero Resources Jon Farmer, Arsenal Resources Michael Forbes, Greylock Energy Marc Halbritter, Blue Racer Midstream David Haney, E&H Manufacturing Holly Hannold, XTO Jon Hildreth, Roy G. Hildreth & Son Brittany LaPorta, TC Energy Brett Loflin, Northeast Natural Energy Rhett Metz, Energy Transfer Christine Mitchell, Dominion Energy Michael Poole, Highlands Drilling Jim Pritt, Union Oil & Gas Bob Radabaugh, S&R Gas Ventures Mollie Schall, Crestwood Mistream Chris Weikle, SWN Members Emeritus: Ben Hardesty, Alta Energy Lloyd Jackson, Jackson Management Bob Orndorff, Dominion Energy
Member News
Two members receive honors this fall Samuel Ameri was named Most Loyal Faculty/Professional Staff Mountaineer during 2021 Homecoming festivities at West Virginia University (WVU). He has served the oil and gas industry and WVU for more than four decades as a subject matter expert in O&G production, through teaching and mentoring and with high-quality research. He has compiled an impressive record of publications across a wide spectrum of topics and has taught graduate and undergraduate courses in well log interpretation for more than 35 years. He has been involved with externally funded research for the entirety of his academic career. Ameri is a leader in the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) organization, having served as its chair and as a committee member for multiple annual conferences. He has also served as a member of the Board of Directors for ABET, the national accreditation agency for engineering and technology programs in the United States, and on a number of the organization’s committees. Ameri has been an elected member of the WVU Faculty Senate and has presided as chair over the Senate’s Student Rights and Responsibilities and Faculty Welfare committee. He has also chaired the Student Instruction Committee, served on WVU Athletic Council and Social Justice Advisory Committees, and is the longtime faculty advisor for the WVU SPE Student Chapter He earned his B.S. degree in Petroleum & Natural Gas Engineering from West Virginia University in 1973, completing his M.S degree in the same field from WVU in 1976. Ameri has served his alma mater for more than 30 years as a professor at the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources.
He also provides critical leadership, education and insight to support West Virginia’s energy industry. Ameri’s commitment is reflected in his lasting connections with colleagues, students, alumni and the industry. He has been selected as his Department’s Outstanding Teacher, the College’s Outstanding Alumnus and West Virginia Oil and Gas Man of the Year, among other honors. Diane Slaughter, CAE, APR, Fellow PRSA was one of four people inducted into the newly formed West Virginia Public Relations Hall of Fame during a ceremony Nov. 16 at West Virginia University. The other Class of 2020-21 inductees are Cathryn Gibbs Harris, Joe W. Gollehon and Charles “Charlie” Ryan. “Members of our Hall of Fame represent the best of our profession through their career excellence, mentoring of others and community involvement demonstrated over decades,” said Jennifer Goddard, APR, president of the PRSA West Virginia Chapter. “They are the best of the best.” Slaughter formed Homestead Communications in 1993, one of the state’s first independent, female-owned firms. She was internal public relations counsel to IOGA for 18 years and holds that same post with GO-WV. The permanent location of the Public Relations Hall of Fame will be Martin Hall on the WVU campus, already housing the halls for West Virginia Broadcasters and the West Virginia Press Association.
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Charlie Burd GO-WV Executive Director
From the Burd’s Nest: Our year of firsts Wow…where did 2021 go!! It truly seems impossible that 12 months have passed since both organizations ratified the GO-WV merger last December 3. Looking back, it almost seems like a blur from that first conversation I had with leadership in Spring 2020 when I was alerted that an effort to merge was afoot. As I reflect back on this short journey, there is much in which to be grateful as we complete our “Year of Firsts.” • First Board of Directors: To say the least, transitioning from a 13-member to 28-member Board of Directors was, how do I say, interesting! What made it easier was my previous business relationship with either all the Directors or their particular companies. Secondly, each director is an outstanding leader and decision maker. You can be assured that every decision, from staffing, committee chair selections, to legislative initiatives have all been well thought out and measured against realistic expectation. • First time to speak from a single voice for the industry: When hired in July 2002, I did not fully understand how important it was to represent this great industry. I had been somewhat buried in my little world of specific responsibilities with my previous employer. Reflecting back on my position with IOGA, having learned and come to understand its purpose, it became evident after the merger, that speaking many times from two different perspectives on industry issues had sometimes been problematic. For the first time in my 19-plus-year tenure, having the ability to speak to Delegates, Senators, various influential decision makers and the media with one voice is truly being embraced at all levels. • First time Summer Meeting: Not being able to conduct the 2020 IOGA Summer Meeting was, in all honesty, painful. We desperately wanted and needed to meet, if for no other reason than to tell ourselves everything was
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going to be all right, and we would get back to “normal.” But corporate travel restrictions and lingering pandemic fears brought that meeting, and others, to a screeching halt. But thankfully, your leadership, in coordination with “the best darn meeting planner in the whole universe,” Lori Miller Smith, never gave up on coming back with a vengeance in 2021. And we did! The very first GO-WV Summer Meeting was planned and executed to perfection. With over 350 attendees, an outstanding array of member company sponsors, a topnotch agenda of speakers, the event venues and the long-awaited comradery made this first a one-of-a-kind event. More to follow!!! • COVID-19: While not exactly a true first… what started back in March 2019 with stressful mask mandates, social distancing, shelter-inplace orders, remote working and getting the hang of this ZOOM meeting thing, morphed into a 2021 acceptance of technology and innovation previously ignored by most. For the first time, although awkward in the beginning, we discovered we could function and achieve our goals quite nicely from the comfort of our home office or in my case…the dining room table. Virtually everyone made the effort out of respect and to the benefit of all. All this was aided by the development of three vaccines, a relaxation of the harsher 2020 directives and back to in-person meetings. • From the darkness--other firsts come to light: • Working remotely gave us the opportunity to streamline our processes. • We traveled less and accomplished no less and likely more. • We re-tooled our thinking on how we nurtured existing and built new personal and business relationships. • Personally…I think, and hope, I became better at listening and leading. Welcome to 2022!!
Greg Kozera Learned Leadership LLC
We can and must win! Recently I had specialty dental work performed. The dentist entered the room smiling, “I wondered if that was you on my appointment list, Coach.” Chad, the dentist, is a former high school soccer player of mine. He was talented and had a great attitude. After dental school at WVU he moved to Colorado for 10 years. He returned to West Virginia with his family two years ago and set up his practice just before COVID happened. Chad is good at what he does. One of the reasons I coach is to share what I have learned in life with young people to make a positive difference. Athletics are a great way to teach life lessons and see results quickly. They can teach the importance of fitness, hard work, positive attitude, perseverance and overcoming adversity. I see former players like Chad in the real world who are now successful doctors, lawyers, engineers, businessmen, soldiers, coaches and fathers. Our new head soccer coach is a former player as is my wife’s cardiologist. This year’s soccer team was young and inexperienced. In our first game we made mistakes and were behind 0-2 at halftime. It was a teaching opportunity. We learned this team has heart and doesn’t quit. The boys fought back to tie and almost won the game. They continued to work hard, learn from their mistakes and overcome adversity from early losses, injuries, illness, and personal challenges. Our captains learned to dream high. They set a goal in August to go back to the State Tournament and win the Championship. We lost in the 2020 Championship game. The bigger the dream, the bigger the challenge. Seven games into the season we had a losing record of 2-3-2. We suffered a devastating 1-4 loss to the number one AA/A team in the state. There were doubts about how realistic the dream was with the toughest part of the schedule ahead. The boys believed in our new coach and his system. They did the work. Fifteen wins later we were playing in the State Championship game against the same number one ranked AA/A team who beat
us earlier. This time we were ranked number 2. It was a battle. We had a two-goal lead with 6 minutes left, then made a couple of critical mistakes. Our opponent took advantage tying the game in the final minute. We went into sudden victory overtime. Before the overtime, our boys were angry about letting victory slip away. I told them, “I know how you feel. I feel the same way.” I reminded them of the adversity we had over-come. What happened was over. We couldn’t change it. Blaming wouldn’t help. I told them, “It’s a new game. We are scoreless.” We still controlled our future. I asked, “What’s the dream.” They responded, “State Championship.” I asked, “Do you still believe?” They yelled an affirmative response and ran onto the field. Less than five minutes into overtime, off a great pass, our captain buried the ball in the back of their net. We hoisted the State Championship Trophy. Dreams come true but it isn’t easy. This isn’t about a high school soccer team. It is about what we are capable of. We have faced adversity and overcome it before. We can do it again. Success leaves clues. We can learn from others. We need to dream again, believe it is possible and work hard to achieve it. We need to see the opportunity, fight to overcome adversity and not quit. Success is about truths we can learn and implement. Leadership is essential. I became a coach to give back. What I didn’t expect was the boys giving me the gift to be able to dream again. They reminded me dreams still come true. Adversity can be turned into opportunity in athletics, business, relationships and other areas of our lives. Our industry can help to bring high wage jobs back to the Shale Crescent USA region because the abundant natural gas we produce provides energy and feedstock required by manufacturers. Last month we celebrated Veterans Day. Freedom isn’t free. Veterans fought for our freedom We can, must win Continued on page 11
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Industry Events
Upcoming events planned for 2021-2022 December 6-8, 2021 Dug East/Marcellus-Utica Midstream Conference David L. Lawrence Convention Center Pittsburgh,, PA Info: www.hartenergyconferences.com December 8, 2021 DriveSAFE Safety Seminar Berry Hills Country Club, Charleston, WV Info: www.gowv.com December 10, 2021 DriveSAFE Safety Seminar Bridgeport Country Club, Bridgeport, WV Info: www.gowv.com January 19-20, 2022 GO-WV Winter Meeting Marriott Town Center Hotel Info: www.gowv.com February 8-11, 2022 NAPE Summit 2022 George R. Brown Center, Houston, TX Info: napeexpo.com/summit March 23-34, 2022 WV Construction and Design Show Charleston CCC, Charleston, WV Info: wvexpo.com/ April 5, 2022 Pipeline Safety Seminar TC Energy Charleston, WV Info: www.gowv.com April 6, 2022 Damage Prevention Seminar Stonewall Resort Roanoke, WV Info: www.gowv.com
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April 7, 2022 Pipeline Safety Seminar BHG GT&S White Oaks Office Building Bridgeport, WV Info: www.gowv.com May 9, 2022 GO-WV Spring Swing Golf Outing Berry Hills Country Club, Charleston, WV Info: www.gowv.com May 15-17, 2022 IOGCC Annual Business Meeting The Skirvin Hilton, Oklahoma City, OK Info: www.iogcc.ok.gov June 20-22, 2022 IPAA Annual Meeting The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs, CO Info: www.ipaa.org/events/annual-meeting-2022/ August 7-9, 2022 GO-WV 2022 Summer Meeting The Greenbrier, White Sulfur Springs, WV Info: www.gowv.com
Thomas Downs WeatherBELL Analytics
WeatherBELL’s winter 2021-2022 outlook We anticipate a cold start to the winter along the East Coast, but once the New Year comes around, the coldest air should be focused more in the Midwest. As La Niña matures, a variable pattern should be the theme for the beginning of 2022, with colder temperatures favoring the western to central U.S. The best chance for milder weather in the January-March time frame is along and to the east of the Appalachians. Snowfall should be plentiful in the Midwest, centered on the Great Lakes. For more information about WeatherBELL’s services and to get the hot-off-the-press forecast updates, please visit our website www.weatherbell.com or contact us at sales@weatherbell.com.
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Maribeth Anderson GO-WV Vice President and Communications/Education Chair
2022 GO-WV Scholarship deadline is March 18, 2022 In 1997, the Independent Oil and Gas Association of West Virginia, Inc. (now the Gas and Oil Association of WV, Inc. - GO-WV) established its Scholarship Program in an effort to become more involved in higher education in West Virginia. The Scholarship Program was specifically created to reward the outstanding scholastic achievements of high school seniors whose parents work in the oil and natural gas industry for association membership companies. The Association also awards deserving high school “student employees” who have completed a required number of working hours at an association member company. Beginning in 2020, two annual one-time, $1,000 scholarships were sponsored by ConServ Incorporated. They are for students who are choosing a career path that benefits the oil and gas industry in a vocational/technical field such as, but not limited to, welder, truck driver, well tender, electrician, mechanic, etc. Since the GO-WV Scholarship Program’s inception, $191,500 has been awarded to these very deserving students. Complete eligibility rules and documents for both scholarship types begin on page __ or at https://gowv.com/education/scholarship/ and will be sent to all member companies. The completed application, including all required forms and information, must be signed by the high school counselor and postmarked no later than March 18, 2022. From all the applications received, a GO-WV Scholarship Review Committee will award a limited number of one-time only scholarships. Here is a quick glance at those rules: 1. Applicant must be a West Virginia high school senior. 2. Applicant must be a dependent of an employee/retiree of a GO-WV Company in good standing OR be employed by a GO-WV Company in good standing (Student employee must have worked a minimum of 400 hours is the past calendar year. Validation of hours worked and a letter of recommendation from
the employer must be provided). 3. Applicant must enroll in a four-year West Virginia college or university or a community college/vocational-technical school. 4. Applicant must compose an essay answering the question asked on the application form. 5. Application must be signed by the high school counselor. 6. The completed application and all documentation requested must be postmarked no later than Friday, March 18, 2022. GO-WV will accept completed applications postmarked by March 18, 2022. Should you have any questions, or need additional information, please contact Katie McCracken at 304-344-9867 or kmccracken@gowv.com.
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Blessings and gratitude Continued from page 2 I am proud to be part of an industry that is committed to the betterment of West Virginia. As we look to 2022, our industry is sure to face new challenges and opportunities and I’m comforted in the fact that we will face them together. Thank you for all you do for our industry and for West Virginia. I wish you a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year! Winter Meeting
Continued from page 1
9:00 a.m. conference kick-off. Special invited guest speakers include Governor Jim Justice, Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito. In addition, we will have presentations from prominent industry leaders. The 2020 and 2021 Oil & Gas Reclamation Award recipients will be honored during lunch and a presentation will be made at that time to the WV Oil & Gas Museum. Please see page 23 to register for the meeting, or www.gowv.com. If you have questions, please contact Lori Miller Smith at 304-344-9867.
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We can, must win
Continued from page 5
and the rights we sometimes take for granted. All served. Some gave their lives others gave their limbs. They deserve our gratitude. Dad fought in World War II. Lynnda served during Vietnam. Corey our oldest, retired from the Navy after 26 years. Corey’s oldest son is now a Marine. We learned from Corey how family also gives. He was away from home and family sometimes for over a year when he was on a cruise. When Corey was in NCIS, we had no idea where he was or what he did. We would hear about a helicopter crashing in the Middle East and worry. In war our veterans understand success truths. They fight for much more than winning a ballgame. Lives and liberty are at stake. Overcoming
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adversity is part of war and combat. In World War II we lost a large part of our Pacific fleet at Pearl Harbor. The home front sacrificed to build ships, planes, tanks and other equipment to win World War II. Today our military still runs mostly on petroleum for fuel. There is no substitute for it at present. Military equipment requires petrochemicals from natural gas and oil. Plastic is essential for military equipment. There are people and groups, even some in Congress who want to ban or restrict our oil and gas production. Our President asked Russia and OPEC to increase oil production rather than expand our own industry. We didn’t ask our enemies for oil in World War II. The U.S. has abundant oil and natural gas to fuel and equip our military and run the rest of the country. We can extract it with a much lower environmental impact than any country on earth. Our military is fighting for our freedom. Shouldn’t we demand they have the fuel and equipment they need to do their job. We need to manufacture our military equipment and other essential products in the USA! COVID showed us how vulnerable we are and how many essential products are no longer made in the USA. A new study soon to be released by Shale Crescent USA will show the manufacturing cost advantage China once had over the USA no longer exists except in the minds of people. When American companies understand the advantage they now have change will happen. Americans will come to understand buying American not only creates jobs but makes the products they use every day and avoids ocean shipping and other supply chain issues. Buying American also lowers global emissions by eliminating thousands of miles of transportation. This requires American natural gas and oil. That is our competitive advantage over China and most of the world. All Americans, especially those in government need to understand this. A high school soccer team overcame adversity to be successful. We can too. All things are possible.
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Federal update
Continued from page 1
Protection Rule in the case of Pascua Yaqui Tribe v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. While it is unclear legally whether the District Court’s Order can be enforced nationally, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) has announced that it will give effect to the District Court’s Order. The EPA has halted implementation of the Navigable Waters Protection Rule nationwide and is interpreting the definition of WOTUS consistent with the pre-2015 regulatory regime until further notice. The EPA also indicated that agencies are working expeditiously to move forward with rulemakings “to better protect our nation’s vital water resources that support public health, environmental protection, agricultural activity, and economic growth” by crafting a durable definition of WOTUS that considers diverse perspectives based on an inclusive foundation. On November 18, 2021, the EPA and U.S. Department of the Army announced a proposed rule “to re-establish the pre-2015 definition of ‘waters of the United States’ (WOTUS) which had been in place for decades, updated to reflect consideration of Supreme Court decisions.” The proposed rule will be subject to public notice and comment before it is finalized. The EPA also plans an additional or substitute proposed rule based upon consultation with states, Tribes, local governments, and a broad array of stakeholders. Any follow-up rule regarding WOTUS would not likely become effective before 2023. Once again, we will continue to monitor the rulemaking process regarding the definition and implementation of WOTUS. In a similar vein, on October 21, 2021, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California issued an order remanding and vacating EPA’s 2020 Clean Water Act Section 401 Certification Rule (2020 Rule). The Court’s order explains in detail the reason for vacating the 2020 Rule in its entirety rather than remanding the matter to EPA without vacatur. The order requires a temporary return to EPA’s 1971 Rule until EPA finalizes a new certification rule. The EPA had already announced on June 2, 2021, its intention to reconsider and revise the Clean Water Act Section 401 Certification Rule, so that process is ongoing. More problematic is the fact that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (“USACE”) has
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announced that because of the Court’s order vacating the 2020 Rule, it “is not finalizing any permit decisions that rely on a certification or waiver under the 2020 Rule at this time.” The impact is that Clean Water Act Section 404 nationwide permits, especially those reissued in early 2021, are unavailable for an unknown period of time. This creates a significant impediment to permitting for oil and gas pipeline and other activities that impact or may impact WOTUS. No timeline for addressing the uncertainty created by the Court’s order has been offered by USACE or EPA as of now. On the Endangered Species Act front, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Service proposed a rule published on October 27, 2021, to propose to rescind the final rule titled “Regulations for Listing Endangered and Threatened Species and Designating Critical Habitat” that was published on December 16, 2020, and became effective on January 15, 2021. The proposed rescission, if finalized, would remove the regulatory definition of “habitat” established by that rule. The 2021 Rule incorporated limitations on the scope of what could be considered “critical habitat” by adding a definition for “habitat.” The proposed rescission rule would potentially expand the scope of critical habitat that would be subject to the Endangered Species Act. The final rule will likely be issued early next year. Lastly, on November 2, 2021, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (“PHMSA”) issued a Final Rule revising 49 C.F.R. Parts 191 and 192 to expand federal oversight of U.S. onshore natural gas gathering pipelines. The Rule will impose regulatory requirements on more than 400,000 miles of previously unregulated gas gathering lines. The stated effective date of the Rule will be May 16, 2022, which leaves gathering line operators limited time to prepare for compliance with the Rule. While the Rule governs all gathering lines to some extent those lines greater than 8.625 inches outside diameter (“Type C”) will be subject to the more significant regulatory compliance obligations. Those lines having an outside diameter of 8.625 inches or less (“Type R”) will be subject Federal update
Continued on page 13
Federal update
Wishing you and yours the best of this season – GO-WV Officers, Board and Staff
Continued from page 12
only to the incident and annual reporting requirements. More specifically as explained in the Rule, “Type C gathering lines with an outside diameter greater than 16 inches and certain other Type C gathering lines that could directly affect homes and other structures are required to comply with (1) existing requirements for Type B gas gathering lines, and (2) requirements at § 192.615 that operators develop and implement emergency plans. Type C gathering lines with smaller diameters or that could not directly affect homes and other structures have fewer requirements that are limited to damage prevention, emergency plans, and public awareness. These requirements address known causes of pipeline failures including excavation damage, corrosion, and inadequate design and construction standards.” Clearly, none of these developments are good news for GO WV members or the oil and gas industry generally, but it is important to stay informed about the changing landscape. If you questions regarding any of these developments, please contact Mark Clark at MClark@Spilmanlaw.com, Joseph Unger at JUnger@Spilmanlaw.com, or Dave Yaussy at DYaussy@Spilmanlaw.com.
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Technical/Vocational Scholarship Application
2022 Technical & Vocational Scholarship Application
Last Name
First Name
MI
Mailing Address
Date of Birth SS Number
City
State
Zip Code
High School
Home Phone High School Phone Number
My Parent/Guardian works for a GO-WV Member Company Parent/Guardian Name______________________GO-WV Member Company I Work for a GO-WV Member Company (referral letter attached) Company Name: Graduation Date:
Awards Assembly Date & Time:
Chosen Vocation/Career:
Chosen School:
SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
1. Applicant must be a West Virginia high school senior choosing a career path that benefits the oil and gas industry. 2. Applicant must be a dependent of an employee OR be employed by a GO-WV Member Company in good standing.(Student employee must have worked a minimum of 400 hours. Validation of hours worked and a letter ofrecommendation from the employer must be included with this application.) 3. Applicant must be enrolling in a West Virginia community college or vocational / technical trade school. 4. Applicant must complete both pages of this form. 5. Applicant must ensure that this application and all necessary documents are postmarked no later than Friday, March 18, 2022.
ATTENTION STUDENT:
After completing both pages of this form, deliver these documents to your high school counselor.
ATTENTION SCHOOL COUNSELOR: 1. 2.
Please write a letter stating why you, or the student’s technical or vocational course instructor, recommend the student for this scholarship. Mail the recommendation letter, all pages of this application, and the student’s transcript of grades to the address below postmarked on or before before March 18, 2022.
Student’s guidance counselor’s signature
PLEASE NOTE: ONE SIDED COPIES ONLY – NO STAPLES! Please feel free to add extra sheets if needed. Gas and Oil Association of WV, Inc. Attention: Katie McCracken 300 Summers Street, Suite 820, Charleston WV 25301
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Technical/Vocational Scholarship Application
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College/University Scholarship Application
2022 Scholarship Application Last Name
First Name
MI
Mailing Address City
State
Home Phone Number
Zip Code
Social Security Number
Date of Birth
College/University Planning to Attend
High School
High School Phone Number
My Parent/Guardian works for a GO-WV Member Company Parent/Guardian Name
GO-WV Member Company
I Work for a GO-WV Company (referral letter attached) Company Name: Graduation Date Awards Assembly Date & Time
_
If you filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), what is the amount of your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as reported to you on the Student Aid Report (SAR)? $
.
SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: 1. Applicant must be a West Virginia high school senior. 2. Applicant must be a dependent of an employee/retiree of a GO-WV Company in good standing OR be employed by a GO-WV Member Company in good standing (Student employee must have worked a minimum of 400 hours. Validation of hours worked and a letter of recommendation from the employer must be provided). 3. Applicant must enroll in a four-year West Virginia college or university. 4. Applicant must compose a 300-500 word essay answering the question: “Describe your community’s perception of the Oil and Gas Industry and explain how you would improve it.” 5. Application must be signed by a high school counselor. 6. Mail the application with all activity and course forms (listed below), essay, transcript and ACT scores as instructed below. This must be postmarked on or before Friday, March 18, 2022. ATTENTION STUDENT: List your advanced placement and honors courses, organizations, volunteer and extra-curricular school activities with which you were affiliated during the four years of high school on the appropriate forms (Advanced Placement and Honors Courses, Extracurricular School Activities, Community Service and Non-School Activities - Including Employment). Please deliver these forms along with your completed application and essay to your high school counselor. ATTENTION SCHOOL COUNSELOR: Please sign this application and mail it along with the student’s essay, transcripts, ACT scores, and activity and course forms to the address below postmarked on or before March 18, 2022.
Student’s guidance counselor’s signature PLEASE NOTE: ONE SIDED COPIES ONLY – NO STAPLES! Gas and Oil Association of WV, Inc. Attention: Katie McCracken 300 Summers Street, Suite 820, Charleston WV 25301
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College/University Scholarship Application
Advanced Placement and Honors Courses Grade Level
Course
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College/University Scholarship Application
Community Service and Non-School Activities (Including Employment) Grade Level
Estimated Hours per Year
Activity
TOTAL HOURS
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College/University Scholarship Application
Extracurricular School Activities Grade Level
Estimated Hours per Year
Activity
TOTAL HOURS
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Industry license plate application form DMV-54-GO Rev 05/21
West Virginia Department of Transportation
Division of Motor Vehicles
1-800-642-9066 dmv.wv.gov
Application for a Gas & Oil Association of WV License Plate PLATE SAMPLE
A) Applicant/Owner(s) Information ·
Use Name(s) of Owner(s) as shown exactly on current registration card that you wish to register the license plate.
Applicant’s Name Name(s) on Registration Street Address STATE
CITY
ZIP
B) B) Vehicle Vehicle Information Information Year
Make
Title No. Current Plate No.
VIN No.
C) Insurance Information
/
Effective Dates of Policy From:
/
To:
/
/
Policy No.
Insurance Company NAIC Number
Insurance Agent
D) Applicant Certification I certify that all information on this application is true and correct and if I cease to be in good standing with the above organization, I will immediately return the special license plate to the Division of Motor Vehicles.
(X) SIGNATURE OF APPLICANT
DATE
/
/
Phone No. (
)
E) Application Information 1. Anyone is eligible to apply for a Gas & Oil Association of WV license plate. 2. A vehicle must be Class A and have a West Virginia title and license plate in the name of the applicant before a special plate can be issued. 3. The current license plate must be returned to the Division of Motor Vehicles after the special plate is received. After issuance of the special plate, the exchanged plate is canceled and cannot be transferred to another vehicle. There are no refunds. 4. A $91.50 fee will cover the cost of the license plate for the 1st year or a portion of the 1st year. This is a flat fee for all applicants and is not prorated. This plate will expire on July 1st every year and have a renewal fee of $66.50. 5. Send the application and the $91.50 check or money order payable to Gas & Oil Association of WV at the address listed below. Please include your personal property tax receipt or an affidavit from the assessor if your registartion is expiring within 60 days of your application. Gas & Oil Association of WV c/o Charlie Burd 300 Summers St. Suite 820 Charleston, WV 25301 *** OFFICE USE ONLY BELOW THIS LINE OFFICE STAFF INSTRUCTIONS: Insert the plate numbers on the plate diagram to the left and submit this form to the WV DMV for recording and processing. Be sure to retain a copy for your records.
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Drive Safe Seminar registration form
2021 GO-WV DriveSAFE Safety Seminar Registration Form December 8 or December 10, 2021 | 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
____________________________________________________________________________________ Company Name ____________________________________________________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip ____________________________________________________________________________________ Telephone Participant
Member Y/N
Lunch is included in the registration fee. Attendance is limited to 25 people at each event. Registering for: _____ December 8, Berry Hills Country Club, Charleston _____ December 10, Bridgeport Country Club, Bridgeport Registration Fees @ $75 per person $ _________ TOTAL $ _________ Please click here to register and pay online or mail registration with payment by December 1, 2021, to: GO-WV, 300 Summers Street, Suite 820, Charleston, WV 25301 For additional information, call Lori Miller Smith at (304) 344-9867. No refunds after December 1, 2021.
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Winter Meeting sponsor form
2022 GO-WV Winter Meeting Sponsorship Form
January 19-20, 2022 | Marriott Town Center, Charleston, WV
_________________________________________________________________________________________ Company Name ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Contact Name ____________________________________________________________________________________ Address __________________________________________________________________________________________ City State Zip _______________________________________________________________________________________ Telephone Email
Sponsorship opportunities:
______ Premier Event Sponsor $10,000 (call for availability) • Banner hung and specific signage at every event • Listing on Premier Sponsor board • Logo and name listed in event PowerPoint presentation • Logo listed in event program, web site page and newsletter ______ Diamond Event Sponsor $5,000 and up (call for availability) • Banner hung and specific signage at sponsored event • Listing on Diamond Sponsor board • Logo and name listed in event PowerPoint presentation • Logo listed in event program, web site page and newsletter ______ Platinum Sponsor $3,000 • Listing on Platinum Sponsor board • Logo listed in event PowerPoint presentation, event program, web site page and newsletter ______ Gold Sponsor $2,000 • Listing on Gold Sponsor board • Logo listed in event PowerPoint presentation, event program, web site page and newsletter ______ Silver Sponsor $1,000 • Listing on Silver Sponsor board • Logo listed in event PowerPoint presentation, event program, web site page and newsletter ______ Bronze Sponsor $500 • Listing on Bronze Sponsor board • Logo listed in event PowerPoint presentation, event program, web site page and newsletter Please return this form to GO-WV, address below, by December 15, 2021. Be sure to email a high resolution (300-dpi minimum) version of your company’s color logo and a link to your web site to lmillersmith@gowv.com.
Thank you for your continued support!
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Winter meeting registration form
2022 GO-WV Winter Meeting Registration Form
January 19-20, 2022 | Marriott Town Center, Charleston, WV
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Company Name _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City State Zip ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Telephone ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Participant’s Name Member? ❏ Yes ❏ No ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Email __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Participant’s Name Member? ❏ Yes ❏ No _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Email ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Participant’s Name Member? ❏ Yes ❏ No _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Email Please call the GO-WV Office if you have special dietary needs. Registration (fees cover all Winter Meeting activities except the GOpac Reception) Members: _____ Producers’ Issues Breakfast Meeting ONLY (for member Producers ONLY) (Wednesday, January 19) FREE! _____ Technical sessions ONLY (Wednesday, January 19) FREE! _____ Member early-bird rate of $295/person for Wednesday membership and legislative reception and all Wednesday and Thursday events ($350 after 1/7/22) _____ Non-member early-bird rate of $495/person for Wednesday membership and legislative reception and all Wednesday and Thursday events ($550 after 1/7/22) _____ Student/faculty registration fee of $65/person for Wednesday membership and legislative reception and all Wednesday and Thursday events ($90 after 1/7/22) _____ TOTAL DUE Please mail registration with payment by January 7, 2022, to: GO-WV, 300 Summers Street, Suite 820, Charleston, WV 25301. NO REFUNDS AFTER DECEMBER 15, 2021 For additional information, call Lori Miller Smith at (304) 344-9867.
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300 Summers Street, Suite 820 Charleston, WV 25301 Phone (304) 344-9867 Fax (304) 344-5836
h
GO-WV Members As USI Insurance Services, we bring over 25 years of industry experience, a proprietary risk analysis process and a local team all supported by the expertise of more than 4,500 professionals nationwide. Let us show you how the right plan and the right partner can help protect your company's people and physical assets.
Pete Thackston, Senior Vice President USI Insurance Services 418 8th Street, Suite 301, Huntington, WV 25701 304-638-7281 I Pete.Thackston@usi.comIwww.usi.com
mm. INSURANCE SERVICES
Risk Management I Property & Casualty I Employee Benefits I Personal Lines I Retirement Consulting
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