Columbia Missourian, MO
10-22-07
Oil company sponsoring energy forum Wednesday
By CHELSEA GOODWIN
Oil giant ConocoPhillips is hosting a forum Wednesday to discuss issues
revolving around energy cost, consumption and alternative energy sources.
The forum, called Conservation on Energy, is part of a public outreach program
by Houston-based ConocoPhillips. The community is invited to participate in a
two-way dialogue with Merl Lindstrom, the company’s general manager of
research and development, and Gene Batchelder, senior vice president of
services and chief information officer.
The forum will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Holiday Inn Select Executive
Center, 2200 I-70 Drive S.W.
Katie Smith, director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture, and Floyd Gilzow,
deputy director of policy for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, will
be on the panel as well. Thomas Payne, dean of the College of Agriculture, Food
and Natural Resources, and James Thompson, dean of the College of
Engineering, will moderate the meeting.
“Energy today primarily originates from petroleum, coal and nuclear sources,”
Thompson said. Petroleum sources aren’t renewable, and as they become more
scarce, their prices rise.
“It is clearly important for our state and nation to develop nuclear, clean coal and
advanced technologies for our future use,” he said.
Energy conservation, innovation, efficiency and environmental responsibility are
the key issues ConocoPhillips hopes to address.
The company has been exploring a variety of alternative energy sources, such as
using wood chips and grass to create biodeisel. In April, ConocoPhillips
announced plans to start a $22.5 million research program at Iowa State
University to produce biorenewable fuels. The company is also working with
Tyson Foods to create an energy source using fat from feedstock.
In conjunction with the visit, the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural
Resources and the College of Engineering will be holding a symposium between
2 and 4 p.m. Wednesday in Ketcham Auditorium in Lafferre Hall.
The six speakers participating in the symposium are Lindstrom; MU faculty
members Peter Pfeifer, professor of physics; Bill Jacoby, associate professor of
biological and chemical engineering; and Bill Miller, professor and chair of
nuclear engineering. Also speaking will be Jim Fischer, a senior scientific advisor
at the U.S. Department of Agriculture; and Anita Randolph, director of the
Missouri Energy at the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
ConocoPhillips began the program at the end of 2006 in hopes of understanding
public opinion on energy issues. Columbia is among the last of 35 locations
ConocoPhillips will visit.
ConocoPhillips hopes to use the feedback, both from professionals and
residents, to shift itself from a traditional oil-and-gas company to one that is
energy efficient.
“We are looking forward to the forum for open discussion of all current and
potential sources of energy that can be used to address current and future
energy needs,” Payne said.
Seating is limited, and those who want to attend the town meeting Wednesday
night should register by calling 888-877-5917 or going to
www.ConocoPhillips.com/energy/RSVP.