On October 2nd, 3rd and 4th, the Ute Indian Tribe’s Energy and Minerals Department hosted its first

annual Energy and Minerals Oil and Gas Expo the Western Park Convention Center in Vernal, Utah. By all accounts, this first annual Expo was a huge success and plans are underway for next year’s Expo.

The agenda included presentations by the Tribe’s Business Committee and Energy and Mineral’s Department, Ute Energy, BLM State Director Juan Palma, BIA Agency Superintendent Johnna Blackhair. Lunchtime keynote presentations were provided by Chairman Tex Hall of the Mandan Hidatsa and Arikara Nation of North Dakota and Congressman Jim Matheson’s Field Representative Pamela Juliano. Chairwoman Cuch provided opening remarks and participated on panels during the Expo. The Chairwoman’s opening remarks emphasized the importance of energy development to the Ute Indian Tribe and the need to keep working locally and in Washington, D.C. to protect and improve the Tribe’s energy development opportunities.

Firm Partners, Jeremy Patterson and Rollie Wilson, also provided presentations and led discussions on energy issues. Jeremy and Rollie presented and discussed EPA's new permitting requirements on Indian lands, proposed legislation that would make changes to the Tribal Energy Resource Agreement Program, and Indian energy legislation currently pending in Congress.