SALT LAKE CITY — The Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Confirmation Committee on Feb. 10, 2025, voted to favorably recommend four nominees for the Utah Board of Oil, Gas and Mining and forwarded the nominations to the full Senate for confirmation.

The nominations move a panel that advises the Division of Oil, Gas and Mining and helps set policy for the state’s oil, gas and mining industries. The committee’s actions were unanimous; members indicated “aye” on each motion and the chair ruled each passage approved.

Alan Walker, reappointed as a member knowledgeable in oil and gas matters, described his 30-plus years in the energy industry and his work at the Energy and Geoscience Institute at the University of Utah. “I would like to continue as a subject matter expert in oil and gas and continue as the vice chairman through March of 2026,” Walker said. He told the committee he would press for “evidence-based rules” on issues including bonding, directional drilling and geothermal development. A member of the public, Cale Weston of Salt Lake County, praised Walker’s expertise and urged attention to federal funding for geothermal work, saying he believed “the feds just approved $80,000,000” for a project in Beaver County.

Gordon Moon, reappointed as a private mineral owner representative, said he manages his family’s mineral rights while ranching in Duchesne County. Moon noted experience working with producers on leases and production and said he has helped other mineral owners understand state rules. Senator Hankins praised Moon’s relationship with tribal nations and his local experience.

Patrick James, nominated as a mining representative, told the committee he has more than 40 years of experience in surface and underground mining and is the associate director of the Center for Mine Safety and Health Excellence at the University of Utah. James said he would emphasize accountable operations, reclamation and making abandoned mines safe. Committee members commended his industry background; Senator Stratton moved his nomination to the full Senate.

Selma (Salma) Sierra, reappointed as a member knowledgeable in environmental and ecological matters, described a 40-year career in public service that included roles at the Department of the Interior and as Utah state director for the Bureau of Land Management. Sierra said the board’s statutory role (cited in committee as “code 46 1”) is to “foster, encourage, and promote the development, production, and utilization of natural resources of oil and gas in the state of Utah in such a manner as will prevent waste” and to protect correlative rights. Mick Thomas, director of the Division of Oil, Gas and Mining, told the committee the division regulates a roughly $30 billion industry and voiced support for the slate of nominees.

Committee members asked nominees about local concerns such as dust and air quality near populated areas, Parley’s Canyon mining activity, and the availability of aggregate and transportation impacts. Walker said he would base decisions on evidence and on-site observations; committee members reiterated the need to balance resource development with community impacts.

Votes at a glance

- Alan Walker — Favorably recommended to full Senate for confirmation; committee vote: unanimous (committee members indicated “aye”); motion moved by Senator Reby; notes: Walker recommended to full Senate for confirmation.

- Gordon Moon — Favorably recommended to full Senate for confirmation; committee vote: unanimous; motion moved by Senator Hinken; notes: reappointment as private mineral owner representative.

- Patrick James — Favorably recommended to full Senate for confirmation; committee vote: unanimous; motion moved by Senator Stratton; notes: mining representative nomination.

- Selma (Salma) Sierra — Favorably recommended to full Senate for confirmation; committee vote: unanimous; motion moved by Senator Hankin; notes: reappointment as environmental/ecological representative.

The committee did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript; each motion was approved after members voiced “aye.” The nominations now proceed to the full Senate for final confirmation.