Energy has been one of the most talked-about questions of national inquiry for years now – specifically, how to regulate energy to the full advantage of the U.S. The Bush Institute hosted a day-long energy conference Thursday, bringing together experts from the Bush Institute, SMU and key players in the Dallas energy sector itself to discuss this question of energy regulation.
The program was part of the Bush Institute’s 4 percent Growth Project, “aimed at generating a national conversation focused on how the U.S. can achieve real, sustained GDP growth of four percent annually.”
One of the key personalities and a panel moderator at the day-long conference was Director of the Maguire Energy Institute in Cox School of Business Bruce Bullock.
“About eight or nine months ago, we were talking about various issues with the Bush Institute and…we were exploring…the issues of regulation and how to address the energy issue,” Bullock said.
Bullock said as the question of regulation “has really come to the forefront” nationally and in his work over recent years, the idea for the conference last week was developed.
The energy business “supports over 2.1 million jobs alone,” and Bullock listed it as one of the reasons “building energy is key to the U.S. and the global economy.”
“It [is] clear that what’s happened over the past seven or eight years in terms of the energy sources…has contributed immensely to the U.S. economy,” Bullock said.
Putting together the conference was something Bullock and his colleagues have been working on “since the library and the Bush Center was announced on campus.” Because of this direct connection between the Bush Institute and Cox School of Business on campus, there have been and will continue to be numerous opportunities for student participation and experience.
“[Students] work as research assistants and as interns both for us and for the Bush Institute in being able to put the program together,” Bullock said. “It’s really been a wonderful start to what I think will be a really productive, long-term relationship.”
Students working on the most recent conference had “the opportunity to meet the key [people] in city and government.” Former President George W. Bush was also present, adding to the list of key contacts made that students “would not otherwise have.”
Bullock explained that while his work is within the Maguire Institute and Cox, the energy initiative and the current and future work that it will bring is something key to all SMU students, regardless of their major.
“The kinds of issues that were raised at this conference…will be really key to all our students, no matter what their major or what they go into,” Bullock said. “It’s going to impact them.”
