Energy Secretary to serve as keynote speaker

Kimray Booth - Mid-Continent Coalbed Methane and Shale Gas Symposium Schedule

Oklahoma Secretary of Energy Bobby Wegerner will serve as the keynote speaker for the 2009 Mid-Continent Coalbed Methane and Shale Gas Symposium. Wegner will speak during the symposium's luncheon, scheduled to begin at noon, Dec 8,.

A strong supporter of the oil and natural gas industry, Wegener has said Oklahoma's natural gas production will play and important role in reducing the nation's dependency on foreign oil. "Gas is fantastic, " said Wegener, who served as the state's deputy secretary of energy for four years under David Fleischaker. "We have it, It's cleaner. It's not only a bridge fuel. It's going too be a part of any alternative energy future we have."

A graduate of Texas A&M University and the University of Oklahoma City law firm Clark, Stakem, Wood & Patten. Wegener's general litigation practice included work on oil and gas, public utilities, and education law. He published regular articles in "Better Schools, " the newspaper for the Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administrators.

Prior to practicing law, Wegener conducted domestic and international business transactions for a corporation in Houston. Wegener's bachelor's degree from Texas A&M was in accounting, with an emphasis on international business. While at Texas A&M, Wegener was recognized as a College of Business Fellow.

Wegener is a member of the Oklahoma and Oklahoma County Bar Associations as well as the William J. Holloway American Inn of Court.