On February 23rd 2023, NPPA held our annual Legislative Day in Lincoln, Nebraska. Among our special guests were Governor Jim Pillen and several State Senators. Legislative Day serves as a time for stakeholders in the oil and gas industry to interact and build relationships with state leaders in Nebraska.
NPPA hosted our annual Legislative Day on February 23 in Lincoln. We kicked things off the evening of February 22 with a dinner at Misty’s Steakhouse. Our special guest for dinner was Cicely Wardyn, policy advisory to the Governor for agriculture and natural resources. The next morning we hosted Senators for breakfast at Billy’s Restaurant.
Following breakfast we walked to the Capitol for a meeting with Governor Jim Pillen in the Governor’s Hearing Room. He shared his insight into how Nebraska can grow the energy industry, his legislative priorities for the session, and the harmful effects of the Biden administration’s policies regarding the energy sector in Nebraska and around the country. He also answered questions and took feedback from NPPA members, which was mainly focused on the destructive policies pushed by environmental activists.
After our time with Governor Pillen, NPPA members spent time in the balcony overlooking the legislative floor and watching floor debate. Lt. Governor Joe Kelly was presiding over the Legislature and between speakers during floor debate he recognized the presence of NPPA members in the balcony.
NPPA members also met with several Senators in the Rotunda of the Capitol, just steps away from the floor of the Legislature. Among the legislators we heard from were Senator Teresa Ibach from Sumner, Senator Mike Jacobson from North Platte, Senator Bruce Bostelman from Brainard. Bostelman, a farmer and veteran, chairs the Legislature’s Natural Resources Committee which has jurisdiction over the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. Jacobson, a banker from North Platte, also serves on the Natural Resources Committee. Ibach represents District 44 which includes several oil producing counties in southwest Nebraska.
We would like to thank all of our NPPA members that were able to join us for this year’s Legislative Day event. If you were unable to attend, we hope that you will be able to join us next year!