today, hefner is founder and ceo of the ghk companies, an oklahoma-based natural gas and oil firm. he has pioneered ultradeep natural gas exploration and led the development of innovative technology necessary to successfully drill and produce the world’s deepest and highest pressure natural gas wells.

hefner caught up with planet forward backstage at the gw moving the planet forward innovation summit on april 17, 2012. he believes that the greatest innovation has been in the natural gas industry. he says, “it’s allowed this country to become super abundant, actually drowning, in natural gas.”

the new york times’ andy revkin moderated the last panel discussion of the day, “renewables: boom or bust?” the panelists discussed natural gas and renewable power sources, including water, wind, and solar energy. vice admiral dennis mcginn (ret.), president of the american council on renewable energy, called natural gas “a blessing,” as it is cleaner to produce than coal and has a “firming capability” for when wind is not blowing or the sun is not shining as brightly. the panel came to the conclusion that, ultimately, there must be a synergy between natural gas and renewables in order to diversify our energy portfolio.

the panel of experts discussed renewable energy in the wake of solyndra and how the debate can move forward.

moderator: andrew revkin, blogger, the new york times
vice admiral dennis mcginn (ret.), president, american council on renewable energy
robert hefner, founder and chief executive officer, the ghk companies
reed hundt, chief executive officer, coalition for green capital
ron smith, co-founder and president, verdant power