have an incomplete understanding of any number of issues on which they will be expected to take public positions. As advocates for our industry, we can only hope they listen to our expertise and insights. Every day brings new challenges, often from places you wouldn’t immediately expect. As representatives of this industry in Utah, we address those challenges head-on. We work hard to cultivate relationships with a broad cross-section of stakeholders for just such occasions, so we can educate and inform about the unintended consequences and ripple effects of decisions made at the local, state or federal level. Rarely do policy choices solely affect just one subset of Utah, its businesses or its citizens. Even seemingly simple proposals can be fraught with peril. With that in mind, this issue features a range of pieces that examine and explain Utah’s unique oil and gas operating environment. We examine everything from refinery maintenance and exports to geographic challenges and how housing affects gas prices, and much more. There’s a lot to consider, so we’ve tried to cover our challenges comprehensively without being overwhelming. Meanwhile, while some of us convene in the halls of democracy to advocate for our industry, what do the folks on the ground do, the ones who keep refineries humming day after day? To put it bluntly: They chop wood. They carry water. Modern living requires a great deal of energy, and demand is increasing all the time. Our industry never has an offseason. Someone is always keeping this industry (and, by extension, society) running. You’ll find them in these pages, too, in stories about philanthropy, safety, collaboration and our many upcoming events. We don’t normally run an issue like this so close to the publication of the previous one, but we’re nothing if not responsive to changing circumstances, and we wanted to keep you updated on our efforts to educate and advocate on your behalf. We appreciate all that you do, and we hope you walk away from this edition of UPdate feeling more informed and enlightened. And next time you talk with someone who works in our industry, thank them for the wood, the water, and the oil and gas. Enjoy the issue. at Hand 7 UPDATE
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