Charter Communications Support cspan as a Public Service. A lot with these other television providers. Giving you a front row seat to democracy. The head of the Environmental Protection agency talks about the biting ministration Environmental Policies at the western governance association. During his remarks he highlights issues from wildfires to water security. From boulder colorado, this is about 50 minutes. Welcome to the 2023 western Governors Association annual meeting here in beautiful boulder, colorado crete my name is jack waldorf i have the honor and privilege of serving the executive director for wga. Its your first meeting, it is mind too so we will figure it out together. Have you been to an annual meeting before, welcome back and perhaps you could give us rookies a few pointers but we are here thisiv week. It is wonderful so somebody friends in the west convene here at the theater which has a rich history since it opened back in 1906. Over the years this entertainment venue andnt the heart captivating audiences with silent fells, operas, musicals and hosted a number of notable public figures by specific at Franklin Delano roosevelt back in 1920 and johnny cash performance in 1997. We can probably say wga can be added to the list. How about that. Our beautiful host cityho bould, colorado a special unique is in the western city in our footprint. Home to the university of colorado psychotic buffalo mascot, i am an olympic boulders best known for Technology Hub for its flavorful variety of teas and numerous outdoor activities. And of course that malt which is just outside the door. As you probably noticed are wellknown for their casual comfortable outdoor attire. Their enthusiasm for the outdoors is only matched by the love for bookstore, supers, dedicated. Kindly times this week you here on your left. Not be surpriseded if the one serve your copies to phds one and arrow engineering one in buddhist studies. Not only can get in great cup of coffee and having an interesting conversation that is boulder were certainly glad to be here. Lets get to the real reason we are gathered here this week. Debbie ga continues to be proud tersely Bipartisan Organization with the sole purpose is to serve as an instrument for the governors for policy Development Information exchange ocean and critical to western states wj is built on the collective action and bipartisan discount leadership of our governors and they adhered to in order to make meaningful and lasting change for the western region. As westerners we are grateful personir leadership by to thank our governors and the today for being here this week as that lead us in discussing important timely topics affecting the west. This week ranges from artificial intelligence, grassLand ManagementOutdoor Recreation and advanced use of water data. We will also discuss the key beneath our feet which examines the development and deployment of Geothermal Technology across the west. While representing just a snapshot of the numerous issues affecting the west we look forward to hearing from our panel of experts as they identify common challenges as well as offer Pragmatic Solutions with unique issues we face as westerners. Well also hear from a range of senior federal officials and business leadersin offering ther insights and perspectives on additional issues affect os wen states in our region. With a porch or a bus conversation between our governors and the speakers of the next several days. Debbie ga does not exist without the bipartisan support and leadership from a governors. We have a strong dedicated group of governors who check both their egos and Party Affiliation at the door. Without this, we would not be who we are up we would not do what we do. We remain grateful for the power they have us to advance a collective. As an organization debbie gas and entering a prize of many interconnected parts for each relying on one another and to advance the governors priorities. Also does not function without the tireless work in support of the governors staff members, especially our staff advisoryrn council. Thanks to each and every one of you for the tireless work you put into sound regional your support enables the account was debbie can activities and events put on our behalf of the governor over the course of the year we are extremely grateful for you and your continued partnership. I also did take a moment to acknowledge the fantastic debbie ga staffas ive had the pleasure to work with on a daily basis since i started in january. The new guy in the office they welcome into the family with open ours and have been nothing short of amazing as i get my footing. Theis professionalism, enthusiam and devotion to service and advancing western parties is truly inspiring for the bottom of my heart thank you i to you. And finally want to acknowledge my predecessor. Who is also with us today. Jim, raise your hand. [applause] while jim transitions in his role director of thisan past january he is still serves our philanthropic arm so western Governors Foundation so thankfully he remains a key member wga now. For over a decade jim probably successfully led wga and under his leadership the organization accomplish critical policy victories while expanding its reach and influence but suffice it to say wga would not be as strong a position it is today without a steadfast leadership and adherence to the core mission of the organization. Those sure are some big boots to fill, jim so thank you for that. So might tell me this past january when i took over jack, just dont screw it up. So no pressure, thanks for that but you know who you are who said it. So i ladies and gentlemen please join me and recognize iff forer in front of the west the great jim for his Outstanding Service to debbie ga in the west. [applause] [applause] and now, please allow me the honor introduce our distinguished westernin governo. As a physician doctor josh green arrived is at recipient National HealthService Corps scholarship made the islands his home as it committed himself to the service of others. Practicing medicine and a rural underserved area and the hawaiian items doctor green saw firsthand the challenges facing many residents including limited access to healthcare, lack of Affordable Housing in high rates of Mental Illness in the nation. As a member of the Community Help to heal he took his experience and expertise as a physician and ran for office in order to effect meaningful and lesson change for his neighbors. Serving about the state house of representatives of the state senate, doctor green was instrumental expanding Health Care Coverage for children with autism, advancing statesupported Cancer Research efforts in creating a statewide Trauma Health system. Later as Lieutenant Governor he continued to utilize his medical expertise to overseeing states efforts and responsibility. Sworn in as governor december of 2022 governor greenness work tirelessly is six plus months in office to continue to address health disparities, among hawaiians while expanding access infor affordable across the stae it is an honor to welcome introduce hawaiians governor the honorable josh green. [applause] so a Third Generation rancher governor brad a little nosy by the hard work and has taken that when what he has worked on the ranch. Through his professional political career but have just spent a few days of the governor in idaho earlier this week on the annual trail ride hosted by the Idaho Cattle Association i witnessed firsthand the simple horse impressive horse riding skills but what struck me most was his love for the land and strong desire to ensure which are reap the benefits of sound Conservation Program that you got festive about his stories on the right of cover would be the better storyteller quite frankly. Well save that for another time. So plaster will servingti as chr the governorov oversaw the workg plans work in Communities Initiative is interrelationship between Natural Resources the communities that depend on. Ill try to collect on new challenges facing Rural Communities related to workforce and economic vitality. Not exclusively a western concert and so western challenge the government Little Initiative to equip the western states of the tools and resources e needed to address this evolving regional challenge. First election 2018 and reelected second term last november government little has worked tirelessly to reduce red tape that stifle smart effective government will making historic investments in both infrastructure and education. Something tells me his sheep and cattle herding skills have helped him an immense of oases navigated the idaho state legislature. But i will let him go into specifics on that. Im proud to introduce idahos 33rd governor the honorable brad a little. [applause] poured into a proud military family governor joe lombardo lived around the world until his father was stationed just outside lasas vegas. After 10 the university of nevada las vegas the governor served in the Army National guard during the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police department where he served 26 years and held nearly every position in the department as he climbed the ranks. He was sent elected twice the sheriff of clark county nevadas largest county in 2014 and 2018 respectively a sharpie oversaw 1. 3 billion budget also been responsible for over 6000 employees to safetyet the county residents will protecting tens of millions of visitors who flock to las vegas on annual basisua. Certainly not a small task. Sworn in and governor engendered this year the governor continues to them by the protect and serve a model from his Law Enforcement experience and apply that to his role as governor. During his first legislative sessiondu as governor schools ad students say for it while performing and streamlining Government Services to better serve. His leadership saw historic levels of funding education for both k12 and higher ed help to bolster the workforce and build more capacity through supporting those suffering from Mental Illness. Please welcome the 31st governor of the great state of nevada the honorable joel embargo. [applause] growing up on a ranch governor mark gordon of the vote of hard work, integrity, importance of working together from ait t youg age she leads a state of wyoming with those in mind. Over the course of his personal, professional political life he understood having deeplynd held beliefs and a desire to achieve consensus are not mutually exclusive ideals. Not only does a governor possessed tools like grits, perseverance, toughness, he is also help support maintain his families cattle ranch. He also has a Strong Financial that has allowed him to transform modernize the wyoming state portfolio at which number one ranking United States number three in the world ranking for transparency and accountability while serving a state treasurer. Armed himic skill set for success when he ran and was elected governor in 2018. Since become the state ceo he has led efforts to diversify wyomings economy across sectors of technology, energy, agriculture, to name a few. He has continued to be a strong advocate in support of wyomings National Resources sates Education System have the resources it needs to effectively train wyoming future workforce. Reelected in 2022 with 79 of the vote represented largest margin of victory in the States History for any gubernatorial candidate, governor gord continues to lead by values and dedication to getting stuff done. Please welcome wyomings 33rd governor and vice chair of the western Governors Association the honorable mark golder gordon. [applause] growing up here in boulder, colorado governor jarrett has it not for ideas and thinking on the cutting edge both in business as the policy domain. As a result of his entrepreneurial talents and culture transformers greeting card business by taking it online which at one point i found out was a sixth most visited website on the internet during the holiday season. By age 38 the governor had launched three Successful Companies including one of the worlds leading online retailers. Despite his entrepreneur successes he never wavered in his commitment to Public Service making lives better for current and future colorado in spirit at ageur just 25 through his hat in the ring s for state board of education to make sure children have early access to highquality education. At age 33 selected to congress where he served five terms. Wellrespected known policy among his Congressional Colleagues he continued to advocate for a nation students and teachers among other key issues like the environment and access to affordable healthcare. When first elected colorados governor in 2018 he continued his work to support colorado students by work with legislature to advance record investments k12 for the first time in the States History offering universal fullday kindergarten starting next fall. Last summer with governor became wga chair he launched the heat beneath our Feet Initiative i mentioned earlier and this was said effort and ensuring the Initiative Success to highlight current future impact Geothermal Technology in colorado and across the west. And his enthusiasm and stewardship will serving as wga chair but with that i honor gingers colorados 43rd governor chair of the western Governors Association and our host heree in boulder the honorable jared polis. [applause] thank you jack. In addition to have the privilege of being able to host western governors in your state, which as chair i chose my hometown of boulder, governor gord it will be hosting us in jackson hole next november. The other two perks of being chair, one issue get to identify your own initiative. We worked very closely with wga on developing heat beneath your feet sprayed thank you to those of you who sponsored those activities. We had 10 Events Virtual and person across the west learning from what states are doing with regard to geothermal electric, hawaii 20 of their grid. Doctor green in utah 1 in california at 4 . But also heating and cooling systems. We are proud of colorado at mesa of cebitro about that when the few universities in Grand Junction one 100 heated and cooled to geothermal by the fight at work as we get a little gavel that has our name onn it. With which we could take gavel in the official session of the western Governors Association. Welcome everybody to boulder. [applause] on behalf of the governors assembled here today we are so grateful youve chosen to spend some time with those of the next few days. Great speakers lined up. Heaywell be hearing from michal regan shortly, deputy secretary david turco is the point person on not just geothermal a whole host of opportunities. Executives from microsoft and Franklin Templeton that ceo of vail resorts. Really a vibrant discussion about the economic drivers of thejuju west, how we can come together republicans and democrats on what is important for our states. And really show the nation that we Work Together and what we need to do to make our lives better but we are engaged on topics we all face interstates in different ways. Rural healthcare, healthy ecosystems and grasslands in egg and Governors Initiative was working lands with that reauthorization of the egg bill this a lot of important discussions about the role western governors can play. A little thing called water which has a different dimension than us a dry states as it might in washington, oregon or alaska. It is certainly top of mind discussion item from a Colorado River t basin state of course fr many other states across the west. Outdoor recreation and other economic driver of the west. And of course the initiative i focus on this last year, geothermal energy. He spent the last year examining the opportunities for geothermal. The barriers to it. How we can better deploy with reliable, especially for a grid with increasingly renewable energy. And i want to thank my fellow western governors and their teams and all the staff at wga who sponsors the collaborators for the great work on heat beneath our feets. Youll be getting a copy of the report i think tomorrow and getting previews to it today. As we dont the Initiative Leave launch i hope it does the next couple of days we really learn, discuss, see tactical Common Sense Solutions the problems are st