Topic: Oil and gas industry regulation
Interview of David Pierce, October 2, 2023
Interviewed by Rex Buchanan and Mike Lennen
Retired Professor David Pierce recalls how he became interested in environmental policy and in oil and gas law. After starting his career, this native Kansan returned to the state where it was easy to do business in the oil and gas industry. In this interview, Pierce identified several factors that contribute to the positive business atmosphere, including land ownership patterns, the location of Kansas' oil and gas resources, and a general attitude that regulation is a means by which reasonable resource extraction is facilitated. He identifies two areas where solutions need to be identified: one old issue, in Show Morethe eastern part of the state where unplugged wells continue to be a problem; and the other a newer issue of increased seismic activity associated with new drilling techniques. Pierce also reviews several of the key federal and state laws and court decisions that have shaped the nexus of energy and environmental policy in the oil and gas industry. Show Less
Interview of John Farmer, December 28, 2023
Interviewed by Rex Buchanan
In this late 2023 interview, John O. Farmer III recalled his long career in the oil business with his family-owned company in Russell, Kansas. Farmer describes the evolution of the oil business over decades as technology changed and improved the possibilities for small- to medium-sized companies in the oil industry. He observes that federal policies and market price fluctuations have more to do with the success or failure of the business than state policies. However, he notes, the interplay of state tax policies can make or break companies that depend on low-production oil wells.
Interview of Roger McCoy, January 24, 2024
Interviewed by Rex Buchanan
Roger McCoy. founder of McCoy Petroleum Corporation with headquarters in Wichita, Ks. , recalls growing up in the oil industry from the late 1950s. Among his observations about the industry, are the dynamics of relationships between independent oil companies, like his and the "majors" like Mobile Oil and Gulf that were active in Kansas. McCoy also observes that environment-related regulation of the industry in Kansas is "justified" and that federal laws impact the industry more than state laws. In his observations, laws that impact pricing and leasing, such as the Kansas Natural Gas Price Protection Act, and Show Morethe Deep Horizons law have greater impact on the industry than most of the environmental requirements. Show Less
Interview of Carl Holmes, August 22, 2024
Interviewed by Rex Buchanan
This interview of former Representative Carl Holmes presents his perspective on the energy and environmental issues that were considered by the Kansas Legislature during his time in office -- 1985-2013. He traces at least some of his interest in the detailed workings of the energy industry to his youth when he spent time observing the oil and gas industry in far southwest Kansas. Holmes describes developing a point of view that encompasses the need for diversity in the types of energy available in Kansas and across the country and his growing concern for the security of energy infrastructure, Show Moreespecially after the attacks on the U.S. in September 2001. During this interview Holmes provides insights to his approach to chairing a legislative committee and his dedication to ensuring that his fellow committee members had at their disposal the information necessary to make sound policy decision.
Some of those decisions included a 2006 multi-faceted energy bill that addressed many aspects of energy production including oil refining, pipelines, nitrogen fertilizer production, cellulosic ethanol production, integrated coal gasification, and power plants. Holmes discusses other complex issues including the controversy over plans to expand the Holcomb Power Station, addressing water pollution from a variety of industries, and underground storage safety issues, among others.
Highlights -- short excerpts from the interview