While several Governors take issue with the rule, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy later characterized the discussions in a press conference as "collegial" and noted that the regulations aren't "the end-all be-all," but that she hopes it changes companies' strategies on energy development. Governors John Hickenlooper of Colorado and Matt Mead of Wyoming were among those in attendance.

McCarthy later delivered a keynote at the meeting, in which she noted "the states in this region are doing some wonderfully creative things to promote clean energy and energy efficiency." She also discussed the proposed rules and the model of "cooperative federalism" she hopes to apply to their rollout.

Fred P. Hochberg, Chairman of the Export-Import Bank of the U.S., delivered a keynote in which he noted that exports from western states that were supported by Ex-Im financing created or sustained 760,000 jobs over the last five years.

The first session of the day, about the challenges of managing water in the West, seemed appropriate on the same day that President Obama signed the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) into law. Western Governors advocated for WRRDA's reauthorization and worked to gain the inclusion of several priorities for western states. 

The day also included a session on energy in the west, as well as a "Western Issues Forum," hosted by Washington Post reporter Reid Wilson and featuring Governors Hickenlooper, Mead, Sandoval and Bullock.