News from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission
Phone: (405) 521-4180, FAX: (405) 522-1623, m.skinner@occemail.com
Names Lori Wrotenbery to head Oil and Gas Conservation Division
The Oklahoma Corporation Commission has named Lori Wrotenbery
to the position of Director of the Commission’s Oil and Gas Conservation
Division, the agency’s largest division.
Commission Chairman Denise Bode called Wrotenbery
“an outstanding individual with a proven track record.”
“In positions in Texas, New Mexico and with regional and national
groups, Ms. Wrotenbery has proven to be an
outstanding leader with the ability to work with America’s oil and gas
producers and royalty owners to ensure the industry’s survival while protecting
public health, safety, and the environment,” said Bode.
Commission Vice-Chair Bob Anthony
said Wrotenbery brings a wealth of experience and credentials
to Oklahoma.
“Ms. Wrotenbery is well-known for her work not
only in New Mexico, where she served as both Chairman of the Oil Conservation
Commission and Director of the state Energy Department’s Oil Conservation
Division, but also with such groups as the Ground Water Protection Council
(GWPC). She was GWPC President, and a founding member of the State Review of
Oil and Natural Gas Environmental Regulations, Inc. (STRONGER). Both government and industry has recognized
her efforts; she received the 2002 Public Outreach Award from the American
Association of Petroleum Geologists, and was recognized this year by the New
Mexico State Senate for her contributions to the State of New Mexico.”
Commissioner Jeff Cloud said with Oklahoma’s largest industry - the oil
and gas sector - experiencing a much-welcomed resurgence, Wrotenbery
will be an invaluable asset.
“New Mexico’s loss is Oklahoma’s gain,” said Cloud. “Ms. Wrotenbery has a record in New Mexico of trying to reduce
oil and gas industry paperwork and costs by encouraging the use of the Internet
for electronic filing of required documents and public access to information.
That knowledge and experience will be valuable as this commission strives to
make greater use of such technologies for the benefit of Oklahomans.
“The Corporation Commission’s Oil and Gas Conservation Division has
faced some of the most challenging times in its history,” added Cloud. “Our
employees are going above and beyond to meet both the needs of the general
public and a revitalized energy industry that pumps millions into the state’s
economy. It is wonderful to know that there will be someone of Ms. Wrotenbery’s caliber and proven expertise at the helm to
work as a partner with industry, Division staff, and with the general public.”
Wrotenbery is scheduled to begin her
job with the Commission in about four weeks. She will fill the vacancy left by
the resignation of Larry Fiddler, who accepted a position in the private
sector.
-OCC-
All OCC advisories and releases are available at www.occ.state.ok.us