Jerry R. Simmons is currently the President and CEO of the
Domestic Energy Producers Alliance (DEPA) headquartered in Tulsa,
Oklahoma
Simmons gives a history of DEPA, specifically why the group was created for the energy industry. The interview quickly dives into the Wall Street Journal article citing the American Petroleum Institute’s introduction to a discussion of a Carbon Pricing or Carbon Tax.
Click here for DEPA’s letter
MultiMedia Journalist Jason Spiess directs the conversation to
leadership in government, oil and gas and local chapters. Simmons
believes that API has done some great work for the industry and can
continue, however, he questions their goals of aligning with the
European Union and the Paris Agreement.
The past Decade of Disconnection is also talked about in detail.
From plastic bags and straws to Bernie Sanders to Matt Gallagher on CNBC
to API talking Carbon Pricing.
Simmons explains how the oil and gas industry impacts nearly every
aspect of our lives and a Carbon Tax will first impact the lower and
middle class. Through a variety of added taxes and fees along the
supply and service chain, Simmons mentions that it could increase an
average gas station visit from a Ford Truck by well over $50 per fill
up.
What’s next for industry, how local chapter leaders should respond to the national API’s message and revisiting the roots of ethical capitalism are also discussed in the interview.
Jerry R. Simmons is currently the President and CEO of the Domestic
Energy Producers Alliance (DEPA) headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Before joining DEPA he spent the previous twelve years as Executive
Director of the National Association of Royalty Owners (NARO). Prior to
that, Jerry was President of EnergyTech Group, Inc. in Bartlesville,
Oklahoma providing technical support services to the U.S. Department of
Energy’s Strategic Center for Natural Gas and Oil. Jerry was previously
employed with TRW/BDM as Principal Environmental Engineer/Regulatory and
Policy Analyst. He also served as Associate Executive Director of the
Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission.
Mr. Simmons served as Chairman of the Society of Petroleum Engineers
(SPE) Health Safety and Environment Technical Committee in 1993 and on
the SPE Reprint Series Committee from 2003-2006. He is author of two SPE
technical papers and numerous studies on state oil and gas
environmental regulatory programs.
Jerry holds a degree in Geology from the University of Oklahoma and has worked as an exploration and production geologist for Hamilton Brothers Oil Company, O.I.L. Energy, Texas Oil and Gas and BHP Americas. Jerry has served on the Board of Directors of the Council for a Secure America, as Executive Vice President to the Royalty Owners and Producers Educational Coalition, and is a veteran of the US Air Force. Jerry has been a frequent presenter and panelist for industry events since 2006. He was presented with the International Energy Advocates 2012 “Energy Advocate of the year” award.
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