Utah Gov. Tours Newfield
Utah Gov. Gary Herbert visited Newfield's offices in Pleasant Valley on April 27, 2011 and Talked about His Support for Oil and Gas Development on Federal Lands
(By Steve Puro, Unitah Basin Standard)
Utah Governor G. Herbert with Newfield Daryll Howard tour Monument Butte Water Treatment Facility.
Gov. Gary Herbert visited the oil fields of the Uintah Basin on Wednesday and made a stop at Utah's No. 1 producer of crude oil - Newfield Production Co.
Others joining the governor were U.S. Rep Jason Chaffetz, state Sen. Kevin Van Tassell, state Rep. Kraig Powell, commissioners from Uintah and Duchesne counties and other elected officials throughout the region.
Herbert met with Newfield employees prior to the beginning of the company's annual clean up day. In his remarks, he referred to the "ripple effect" that work by Newfield has in creating new jobs in related industries.
"What happens here with Newfield is of significant importance to the Basin area and to our state's economy," the governor said.
Herbert identified all the workers as stewards of the land. On their days away from work, he said, they all enjoy a high quality of life provided by the ecologically friendly practices they employ on the job.
"There is an ability for us to have an appropriate balance where we access in environmentally sensitive ways our natural resources and still take care of the environment," he said. "I applaud the efforts here. You are producing 22,000 barrels of oil a day and reducing the ozone impact by producing more and impacting less."
He also congratulated Newfield for using "good old common sense" through the use of existing roads, the opening of new wells from active sites and the reduction of its "footprint" on the land.
Herbert's visit included a tour of a new wastewater treatment plan south of the Newfield main office.
"I'm very impressed with the gas and oil separation facilities," Herbert said. "The water that is utilized here becomes polluted (and) is then cleaned and recycled. What a wonderful idea."
In his closing remarks, the governor shared that Forbes magazine has named Utah the best place in America for business and careers. He also foreshadowed the state's plan to sue the federal government over Interior Ken Salazar's order in December 2010 that created a new "wild lands" designation for public lands.
"We're going to challenge this designation, I'm here to tell you," Herbert said. "We're sending a message to Washington that this is not right and not fair."
At the conclusion of the governor's visit, more than 600 volunteers and Newfield employees set out to collect garbage and debris across the Pleasant Valley area.
Newfield Exploration's Efforts in the Uinta Basin Recognized
Newfield Receives Environmental Earth Day Award
The Utah Board of Oil, Gas and Mining will present Newfield Exploration with a 2011 Earth Day Award for efforts to protect and preserve the environment. The award will be presented Wednesday, April 27, 2011, in Salt Lake City, Utah, by the agency.
"Our Earth Day Award program honors industry efforts that exceed regulatory requirements placed upon them," explained Board Chairman James T. Jensen. "Mining and oil and gas companies work hard to protect and restore the environment while providing the natural resources our society needs and we want to recognize those efforts."
Newfield will receive its award for working closely with private landowners in Duchesne and Uintah counties to create drilling programs to access oil and gas resources while preserving normal farming operations.
The essential requirement for receiving an award is that a company, organization or individual must voluntarily perform work that significantly enhances or improves the environment even though such action is not required by law. The Board of Oil, Gas and Mining has presented Earth Day Awards since 1991.
Newfield Exploration is among three companies that will be gain awards for environmental efforts on April 27.
"We pride ourselves on maintaining the highest possible standards in protecting the environment, health and safety in our areas of operation," said Daryll T. Howard, vice president of Newfield Rocky Mountains. "It's important that we work with our neighbors in the Uinta Basin to assure that drilling for hydrocarbon resources, normal farming operations and a healthy regard for the environment can co-exist while benefiting the area economy."
Newfield Foundation Helps Utah Wildlife
Newfield Helps Endangered Hawk Population
The Newfield Foundation is helping Utah preserve its Hawk population. This Uintah Basin Standard news story outlines the unique collaboration between companies like Newfield and the state's Department of Natural Resources to help preserve Utah's precious natural wildlife.
Click here to read more on Uintah Basin Standard's website
Newfield's Jim Metcalf receives Big Brothers Big Sisters 2010 Execllence Award
Jim Metcalf's Dedication to Helping Others Recognized by BBBS
Big Brothers Big Sisters announced its 2010 Excellence Award Recipients.
Newfield's Jim Metcalf (left) accepts the Neal Hawks Compassionate Spirit
Award of Excellence for his variety of achievements with the BBBS. The award for 2010 was
present to Jim in March 2011 by Charles Pierson, CEO of the BBBS.
The Excellence Awards recognize outstanding organizations and individuals who provide exceptional support and outstanding service to Big Brothers Big Sisters. This year's recipients include Newfield's Jim Metcalf.
Metcalf is one of two Texans to receive this award. They were selected from hundreds of supporters throughout the Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star service area, which includes 106 counties across Texas.
Jim Metcalf, Vice President of Drilling for Newfield Exploration and a member of the Greater Houston Regional Board of Big Brothers Big Sisters, received the 2010 Neal Hawks Compassionate Spirit Award of Excellence for his variety of achievements with the organization. He is the founder and "visionary" behind the largest Big Brothers Big Sisters' fundraiser in Greater Houston – Swing for Kids' Sake. He has served as chair of the golf tournament for 13 years raising more than $2 million in support of the Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring program. He also won the Big Brothers Big Sisters "Texas Big Brother of the Year" award in 2006.
Jim Metcalf with his little brother Shaun Finley at a past BBBS event. Jim and Shaun represent one of the organization's longest continuous matches.
Despite a busy schedule, Jim served as a Big Brother and Mentor to Little Brother Shaun Finley from 1996 until Shaun graduated from High School in 2008 and has been a Board member since 2007. Jim was encouraged to get involved with BBBS and become a mentor by a friend and decided the time was right after seeing an advertisement in the local paper for volunteers. Jim felt he would be a good fit and had a lot to offer the program. Jim and Shaun represented one of the organization's longest continuous matches.
"When I first learned about Big Brothers Big Sisters, I felt it was an opportunity for me to get involved in the community," Jim said. "I encourage everyone to learn more about the BBBS programs and consider becoming a Big Brother or Sister. Newfield has been a very strong supporter of our organization. I truly believe the relationships developed make a difference in the lives of the both the child and adult mentor."
Big Brothers Big Sisters is a donor-supported volunteer organization that places caring adults in the lives of children in one-to-one mentoring relationships. Through the positive impact of those friendships, children with a Big Brother or Big Sister are more likely to graduate from high school and are less likely to begin using drugs, alcohol or engage in negative conflict.
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