Conservation in the Face of a Changing Energy Development Landscape

Location

Maple Ballroom

Co-Chairs:

Mona Khalil, U.S. Geological Survey
Davia Palmeri, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

Overview:

Energy development in the United States continues to grow and evolve as economic, political, and societal pressures shape national energy policy. The past decade has seen tremendous growth in renewable energy development and use of unconventional methods for oil and gas extraction. As a result, conservation alongside energy development is becoming a top priority for a growing number of natural resource and wildlife management agencies.

State wildlife agencies vary in their authorities to influence how and where energy infrastructure is developed. This special session will provide examples of how state natural resources agencies have approached the complexity of land-use planning and decision-making for energy development in their states. Speakers from Texas, Wyoming, Pennsylvania, California, and Utah will provide insights about how their agencies have cooperated with other state regulators, federal agencies, utilities, and energy developers to help inform energy development. Speakers will describe how their states are leveraging scientific knowledge and decision-support tools as a springboard for landscape planning designed to promote energy development and effective conservation.

AGENDA: Conservation in the Face of a Changing Energy Development Landscape

10:00 AM	Opening Remarks, Session Overview, and Objectives Mona Khalil, U.S. Geological Survey Davia Palmeri, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
10:10 AM	Wyoming's Core Area Strategy for Greater Sage-Grouse Management Tom Christiansen, Wyoming Game and Fish Department
10:30 AM	Decision Making Processes Associated with Energy Development and Rare Plant Conservation Thomas Edwards, Utah Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
10:50 AM	Using Science to Inform the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan of Southern California Todd Esque, U.S. Geological Survey
11:10 AM	Charged with Conservation: Consideration of Natural Resources in Transmission Line Routing in Texas Julie Wicker, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
11:30 AM	Pennsylvania Game Commission Wind Energy Voluntary Cooperative Agreement John Taucher, Pennsylvania Game Commission
11:45 AM	Panel Discussion: All Presenters Moderator: Mona Khalil, U.S. Geological Survey
11:55 AM	Closing Remarks Davia Palmeri, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies