Energy trade group adds scientist, engineer to regulatory team

Ursula K. Rick has joined the Western Energy Alliance as its regulatory affairs analyst and brings to the trade group a background in science, engineering and government.

Most recently a congressional fellow in the office of Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colo., she will focus on air and water quality and using science to guide energy development policy on federal lands in the West.

"I like bringing together those worlds of science and policy-making," said Rick.

The alliance, which represents about 400 companies in the oil and gas business, works with the Western Regional Air Partnership on regional haze and other multi-state air pollution issues. It is also a partner in the Uinta Basin Ozone Study with the State of Utah, Environmental Protection Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Bureau of Land Management and Duchesne and Uintah counties.

Tim Wigley, president of the alliance, said Rick will help the group in pushing for federal energy policies rooted in science.

"Her impressive scientific and policy background will serve as an invaluable resource to our association, our industry," he said, "and to policymakers who seek an energy policy that protects our environment while allowing western oil and natural gas producers to develop American energy and grow our economy."

Rick holds an undergraduate degree in materials science & metallurgical engineering from Michigan Technological University, a master's of science in engineering sciences from Dartmouth College and a doctorate in atmospheric and oceanic sciences from the University of Colorado.

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Twitter: @judyfutah