Episode 19 -- What the 2024 elections mean for midstream with GPA Midstream's Stuart Saulters

In this episode of the Let's Clear the Air energy podcast, Adam Murray and Andrew Parker welcome Stuart Saulters, the new Vice President of Federal Affairs for the GPA Midstream Association. The conversation covers Saulters background, his role in advocating for midstream interests in Washington, and implications of recent elections on energy policy. They discuss the importance of collaboration among industry stakeholders, the legislative tools available for policy changes, and the challenges posed by tariffs and supply chain issues. The episode concludes with a focus on the need for sustainable energy policies that balance affordability, reliability, and environmental safety.

"I think collaboration is key," Saulters told Murray and Parker of his approach to working with regulators, lawmakers, and industry allies. "We want to be educating the new congress and the new administration. It's going to take a lot of education."

Saulters said that industry shouldn't assume things will be simpler on Capitol Hill with a Republican sweep of the White House and both chambers of Congress.

"We need to strike the right balance in making sure any policy or regulatory changes make sense for industry and for the country," Saulters said.

He tells listeners that GPA Midstream's government affairs team will work closely with members to navigate intricacies of legislative and regulatory deliberations, avoid whiplash of energy policy changes as administrations and political leaders change from election to election, and seek to build towards a sensible energy future.

About Stuart Saulters

Saulters has a rich background in energy policy, engineering, and government relations. Prior to joining GPA Midstream, he served as Vice President of Government Relations at the American Public Gas Association (APGA), where he worked on behalf of municipal natural gas utilities. His work at APGA focused on advocating for policies that supported the use of natural gas as a key part of the nation’s energy mix, especially in the context of serving local communities.

Before his time at APGA, Saulters spent several years as a senior policy advisor at the American Petroleum Institute (API), where he engaged with policymakers and stakeholders to shape energy policy at the federal level. He developed a strong understanding of the intersection of policy, regulation, and industry, making him well-equipped to take on the challenges at GPA Midstream.

Earlier in his career, Saulters was a design and facility engineer for Chevron. His work took him from the company’s refinery operations in southern Mississippi to upstream assets in the Appalachian Basin, where he supported Chevron’s efforts in West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. This technical and operational foundation gives Saulters a unique perspective on how federal policies impact energy infrastructure and operations across the value chain.

Saulters holds a degree in civil engineering from Mississippi State University. He, his wife, daughter, and son reside in the Brookland neighborhood of Washington, D.C.