Gary Arnold

Panelist Profile

Session: Operating in a Purple State: A Nonpartisan Position to Oil & Gas

The past two years have demonstrated a multitude of ways Coloradans, and our nation, can be divided.  Rising above the partisan noise and finding reasonable common ground is a challenge, but also a necessity for an industry that provides one of the most basics needs of society: energy.  As a state often considered politically “purple,” engaging the public and consumers in a pragmatic and nonpartisan manner is critical to the oil and gas industry’s license to operate – especially in an election year.  This session will examine tools and strategies that can shift the political debate around oil and gas to a practical one that engages with consumers and their access to reliable and affordable energy.  Our panel will draw lessons learned both within the oil and gas industry and outside of industry, showcasing efforts that elevate the conversation above political boundaries and advance pragmatic solutions.​

Business Manager
Denver Pipefitters Local 208

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About Gary Arnold

​As Business Manager since 2017, and a member of the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee since 2008, Gary has worked to enhance recruitment, training, and retention of UA pipefitters. He formed the Women in the Trades Committee in addition to the Apprenticeship Student Council. He develops educational standards, curriculum, operations, and funding to improve apprenticeship training, journeymen continuing education, and specialized training programs. He has 7 years of experience as a JATC Instructor and 2 years as Head Training Director.
 
Gary Arnold’s career includes 13+ years of experience as an industrial/commercial pipefitter, supporting expansion projects for Amgen Biotechnology Company, FedEx, Miller-Coors, and Breckenridge Brewery. He earned 6 awards during his apprenticeship, including the UA International contest for welding.
 
Gary’s leadership of educational efforts in the trade has earned him several appointments by state and city leaders, including a 3-year appointment by the Governor of Colorado in 2019 to the Business Experiential Learning Commission, in which he guides development of a youth apprenticeship program for multiple industry sectors.  Gary also currently serves on the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission, Air Quality Enterprise Board, Environmental Justice Taskforce, PERA Pension Review Subcommittee, Colorado Emergency Council for Economic Stabilization and Growth, Environmental Justice Action Taskforce, along with serving as Chairman of the State Apprenticeship Council. 
 
Gary Arnold also holds the position of District 5 Vice President for the United Association, Business Manager for Rocky Mountain Pipe Trades District Council #5, and Financial Secretary Treasurer for 5-States Pipe Trades Association.    

​​2022 Panelist Profile | Q&A with Gary

Have you attended The Energy Summit before? As a guest or panelist?
I have attend as a guest in the past.

What made you decide to join us at this 34th Annual Energy Summit conference to participate on this panel?
I’m excited to talk about reasonable and pragmatic solutions to our energy needs.  General Public education on the technical feasibility of new technologies will be critical to ensuring Coloradans have access to safe, reliable, and affordable energy.  Without support from the general public on the important role natural gas plays in both lowering emissions and providing reliable/affordable energy I’m afraid that Colorado will make critical energy decision based on unrealistic talking points.

Why do you think your panel topic is critical in the oil and natural gas industry at this time?
We are currently experiencing a tremendous amount of misinformation on both the technical feasibility of alternative technologies and the amount of emission reductions attributed to the use of natural gas.  In order to ensure proper policy development we must educate the general public on the facts, this includes limitations for air-sourced heat pumps and other electric alternatives operating in our climate.  To avoid unnecessary pressure on public officials Colorado residents need to fully understand the important role of natural gas.  In addition to HVAC systems education the opportunity to clarify our current power generation portfolio and explain why electrifying home heating systems doesn’t automatically eliminate emissions is critical to protecting important middle class jobs.   

What is your personal favorite story about, or characteristic of the Colorado oil and natural gas community and those who work in it?
My personal favorite story happened just recently immediately following the tragic Marshall fire.  Mostly lost in the tragic aftermath of the extremely destructive fire was the important role our Natural Gas Distribution workers played in helping our community members displaced by the fire return to a warm home safely.  Over 200 Local #208 members immediately responded by giving up their New Years day holiday to work 16 plus hour days in bitterly cold temperatures securing the distribution system and relighting home appliances so fellow Coloradans could return home.   These efforts showcase the truly great people working in our industry, an industry that provides great middle class jobs that are accessed with absolutely no student loan debt.  While others turned their focus immediately to using the tragedy as a tool for policy arguments our members turned their focus to helping our neighbors have a warm safe space for their families.  

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