Submission Number: UBR-DEIS-00404 -- Oral Comment at Public Meeting 

Received: 12/3/2020 12:00:00 AM
Commenter: Reed Joseph Page
Organization: 
State: 

Agency: STB
Initiative: Uinta Basin Railway EIS
Attachments: No Attachments
Submission Text
And unmuted.· Good to go Jennifer?

[pause]

Thank you so much.· Hello, my name is Reed Joseph Page.· I am an energy industry
professional of the Uinta Basin.· That is to say I grew up in the Uinta Basin and virtually all of my family and friends still live there.· Although, I now live in the Wasatch Front.· I am the director of marketing operations for Summit Energy, a regional natural gas marketing and trade company with commercial activity throughout the Uinta Basin, eastern Utah and the
Rockies.

The sister companies include oil marketing and district water management and various other oil field activities.

I also offer professional services independently as an energy markets consultant providing
market analysis and commentary.

Today my comments and opinions are my own, and do not represent the opinions of Summit Energy or its affiliates.

I would like to express my strong approval and support for the Uinta Basin Railway Project. Access to the national rail system is the only path to allowing basin communities to finally participate in global markets and having any chance of diversifying the local economy away from primary dependents on extracted industries.

While I acknowledge that for at least the first decade of operation, the majority of the value
moved by rail, will be derived from crude oil and related products.· Admittedly, the total opposite of economic diversification.· The presence of rail service will finally allow for other commercial opportunities in agriculture and manufacturing.

A global transition away from a fossil-based economy is inevitable.· The timing of it
is entirely up for debate.· I am, in fact, supporting of the coming energy transition and recognize that the global decarbonization is a necessary and inevitable step to human progress and even long term survival.

I believe that this railroad will and can be viable subject still shipper commitments and will provide a healthy return for its investor during of the first 20 years of operation and likely beyond.· But during that time frame, the railroad operator has every incentive to diversify its customer base to include shippers is to encourage many other uses for an asset that will continue to serve the Uinta Basin long after our last barrel is produced.

A just transition will not be possible without the Uinta Basin Railway.· Any stated wishes for a just a transition, or the basin, while denying the key necessary component for such a transition would be disingenuous.· My support for the railroad is subject, however, to the conditions and operations are performed in a way that will minimize environmental and community impacts.· I am not
a biologist or ecologist and must defer to the judgement of those professionals involved in the approval of this project.· I hope to see my home flourish and grow possibly to return one day for more than just a visit.·Thank you.