Gulf Coast Energy Asked to Attend Invitation-Only Event on December 19, 2007

Gulf Coast Energy President and CEO Mark L. Warner and Chairman of the Board, I Drayton Pruitt attended the presidential signing of H.R. 6 the "Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007" into law.  This landmark act, among other things, establishes new levels of alternative fuels mandates, elevating the requirement from the previous mandate level by 450% to 56 billion gallons  pre year by 2022. 

 President Bush's signing ceremony was and invitation only event and Mr. Warner and Mr. Pruitt were surprised and honored when the invitation arrived directly from the White House.  With only a days notice, it was a real scramble to make travel arrangements.  Special thanks to Danny Smith and Dixie Air out of Tuscaloosa, Alabama for providing a jet on short notice.  Travel arrangements weren't the only scramble.  The event itself was a whirlwind of activity; with an all-VIP attendance, security and coordination were especially tight and focused.  In addition, due to the historic magnitude of the law, press coverage was not only astounding, but also extremely high energy and a bit hectic. 

 The attached photos (some of which are a little blurry) give a real feel for the energy level and the vigor of the event.  Congressional VIP's positioned themselves around the signing table while President Bush and Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman both gave very motivational speeches.  President Bush then signed on the dotted line to a flurry of camera flashes and clicks.  Now we have a law!

 Gulf Coast Energy is honored and proud to have been included in the great day in American history.  Please excuse the blurriness of some of the photos, it really was an electric environment which proved difficult to obtain a steady photograph.