A.G. Gancarski
Jacksonville is at the forefront of an energy revolution, according to panelists at the Florida Energy Summit during a Thursday morning panel on America’s Energy Revolution and Sustainable Development. Moderated by Michael Sole of Florida Power & Light, panelists included Allen Fore of Kinder Morgan, Sean Lalani of Eagle LNG, David Alban of Ring Power, and Andrew Sauber of Florida Crystals.
Alternative energy, said Sole, is important for national security. Remembering the gas crisis of the 1970s, then his own participation in Desert Storm, where he was “covered by oil, literally head to toe,” his contention was that alternative energy has staved off crises like that in the current era.
Fore, speaking first, noted that the energy industry “faces many challenges,” and to that end, it’s key for industry leaders to message effectively.
Kinder Morgan, the largest energy infrastructure company in America, is uniquely positioned to lead that debate. Operating 85,000 miles of pipeline in the country, its “asset footprint” extends throughout the oil producing areas, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Bakken field in North Dakota.
Oil, natural gas, CO2, and more lead to the industry’s growth; Kinder Morgan itself has a $22 billion backlog of infrastructural projects that will take five years to resolve.
“There’s a lot of interest out there in additional product,” Fore said.
Fore added that there needs to be better communication from the industry regarding its position going forward. Kinder Morgan is in many states; Fore added that “Florida does it right,” combining facilitating the industry’s needs with environmental demands.
Governor Rick Scott insisted upon that “accountability,” Fore added.
Fore takes pride in the industry, including committing to media outreach in less hospitable areas.
“People need to understand the fundamental nature of how energy works, and the importance it plays in everyone’s lives,” he added.
Among the projects in development: the Palmetto Pipelines, which will use an existing system and extend it, from upstate South Carolina to Jacksonville.
This pipeline will have a capacity of 167,000 barrels a day.
“What does that mean for Jacksonville? It means an additional source of energy.”
For a growing market, for a city on the move, that energy translates to economic vitality, with “higher security and reliability at lower prices.”
“We’ve invested billions of dollars in Florida over the last ten years,” and Fore adds, “the Jacksonville Chamber truly is a leader on the forefront of energy issues,” which makes his job easier.
Lalani spoke next, of how “North Florida is at the nexus of an energy revolution” and the “bridge to a brighter future” with “natural gas playing a significant role… for a renewable tomorrow.”
Lalani contended that LNG sits at the convergence between economic utility, environmental friendliness, and economics.
Though natural gas is not a renewable source of energy, Lalani contended, it is essential to today’s strategy.
Lalani added that Jacksonville has a great deal of institutional support, from both the private and public sector, for “early stage LNG investments.”
Lalani sees “market opportunity” in Central America and the Caribbean, which are regions mired in petroleum dependence.
Ring Power Executive VP David Alban spoke next. Known for its heavy equipment division, which supports earth moving, surface mining, road construction, and related functions, they also offer entertainment services, which include power for events.
The company’s heavy equipment presence makes it a natural fit for infrastructural projects such as those needed by the energy industry, including pipeline machinery for projects like the aforementioned Palmetto Pipeline.
As well, Ring Power is involved in renewable energy projects, like the Harvest Power Energy Garden in Orlando, which creates energy from biodegradable sources, and natural gas distribution to Red Stripe in Jamaica.
Florida Crystals’ Andrew Sauber then spoke from the perspective of the end user, with a focus on sustainability and adaptability.
“Resiliency is the ability to adapt to change,” said Sauber, who argued for diversity of sources coupled with efficiency, which drives reduction in demand.
New technologies. Diverse sources. Domestic production. Creating export markets. Sustainability, with supply projected to last by the most optimistic observers through the end of the century. These are the keys to energy going forward.
And Jacksonville is at the forefront of this movement.
Challenges, of course, still exist, like being wise stewards of this finite resource, and improving technology. However, the industry seems to have learned from the energy boom and bust cycles of bygone eras, and developed best practices to accommodate inevitable market fluctuations.
