4th Annual Midwest Energy Summit Focused on Importance of Energy

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — This year’s summit explored the future of renewable energy, fossil fuels, technology advancements and shifts in public policy.

“We focus on a wide variety of topics in the energy space so we look at everything from renewable energy and the next wave of energy we look at our traditional and critical energy sources. We’re looking at areas of distribution, areas of challenge and opportunity, things like carbon sequestration,” said Shannon Full, President and CEO of Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce.

Industry leaders say as the energy landscape continues to evolve, it’s important to maintain ties with alternative suppliers.

“Maintaining strong relationships with suppliers is the utmost importance. Also diversification of you know look we want to source from the United States always. But we have great suppliers in Europe and we have great suppliers out of South East Asia and Japan. So that level of diversification is absolutely necessary,” said Danny Martell, Vice President Central Region and Engagement Campaigns, NextEra Energy.

Another big issue: How to make sure the labor force can keep up with the growing and changing needs in the energy industry.

“It’s overwhelming, it’s transmission lines, it’s distribution infrastructure upgrades, it’s significant capital projects to run the gamut across our system and so when you actually think about stacking about who is going to build this not even to mention that every other utility is doing the same thing as us. We’re definitely being more proactive than we ever have,” said Bria Shea Regional Vice President – Regulatory, Xcel Energy.

The Chamber’s next summit on February 20 will focus on the regional economy.