Whether you're new to renewable energy or supportive of its growth in Oklahoma, this session will give you the facts, information and resources you need to answer questions, talk with others and be a more informed voice for renewable energy in your community.
Join us on September 24th in Catoosa! Dinner will be provided and registration is free.
General run of show for the event:
- Doors will open at 5:30, come meet local partners and organizations working on renewable energy in Oklahoma and grab some dinner!
- At 6, OREC Board President Claire Burch will provide more information on wind, solar, and battery energy storage, including what they are, how they work, and some of the big questions we hear about them.
- After Claire’s presentation, we will have three expert panelists to answer questions on topics such as safety, operations, public health, and local economic benefits.
- After our Q&A session, you will have additional time to chat with our local partners or with other attendees before the event wraps up at 7:30.
Meet our panelists:
Claire Burch is the current President of our Board and will be moderating the discussion. Claire received her Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma in Geography and Environmental Sustainability, focused on environmental regulations and renewable energy development. In her day to day, Claire works for Olsson on their utility environmental sciences team. She works with renewable energy developers on environmental planning and permitting of their projects. She also works with developers on local permitting applications, including preparing the application and providing support for town halls, community events, and public hearings.
Jason Conley has 20 years of professional safety leadership in the energy sector. He began his career in oil and gas, spending a decade in exploration and operations across the U.S., including Alaska and the offshore Gulf of Mexico.
In 2017, Jason transitioned into renewable energy, where he now leads safety strategy across development, construction, operations, and maintenance for wind, solar, and battery energy storage system (BESS) projects at Apex Clean Energy nationwide.
He holds a Master of Science from Southeastern Oklahoma State University and is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) through the Board of Certified Safety Professionals. Jason lives in a small town in southeastern Oklahoma with his wife, and children.
Dr. Scott Greene is an emeritus professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability at the University of Oklahoma (OU), coordinator of the Oklahoma Alliance for Geographic Education (OKAGE) and the president elect of the National Council for Geographic Education. In addition to publishing over 70 refereed scientific papers on statistical methods, renewable energy, applied climatology and teaching a variety of courses, Dr. Greene has also previously served as a legal expert witness, a technical consultant to a wide range of public and private interests, and has been the recipient of over $15 million in research funding as principal investigator or co-principal investigator. Under Dr. Greene’s leadership and direction, he and is research team have received awards for excellence in research and outreach from the American Wind Energy Association, the US Department of Energy, and the Oklahoma City Journal Record. Dr. Greene holds degrees in Applied Mathematics and Geography (BA, University of California, Berkeley), Geography (M.A., University of Hawaii), and Geography/Climatology (Ph.D., University of Delaware).
Tristan Newbold is the Oklahoma Manager of Government Relations for The Advanced Power Alliance. In this role, Tristan Newbold leads APA’s efforts at the Oklahoma State Capitol, supports legislative efforts in other Southwest Power Pool (SPP) states where APA is active, and engages with any other state agencies relevant to the power generation and energy storage industries.
Prior to joining APA, Newbold served as Director of Legislative Affairs & Public Relations at the Oklahoma Commissioners of the Land Office, where he led the agency’s legislative affairs and public relations efforts.
Newbold brings other experience in Oklahoma government and energy policy, having previously served with the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority and the Oklahoma Office of the Secretary of Energy and Environment handling legislative affairs during Oklahoma’s 59th Regular Legislative session.
Please e-mail Claire Burch at cburch@olsson.com if you have any questions about this event.