Smart Energy Events

Senator Lisa Murkowski Will Join Senator John McCain in Addressing National Energy Symposium
Senator Added to Impressive Roster for Distinctive April event 

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Lisa Murkowski, Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, is the latest addition to the dynamic program for the national energy symposium Reforming American Energy: Encouraging Innovation, Producing Solutions. The event convened by the nonpartisan Reform Institute will take place on Tuesday, April 21, 2009 in Washington, DC. Senator Murkowski’s afternoon address enhances an extensive program that includes luncheon keynote remarks from Senator John McCain and thought-provoking sessions featuring representatives from a range of relevant sectors. The forum will promote constructive and provocative dialogue between various stakeholders towards a comprehensive energy policy. The symposium will differ from the average conference in that participants from diverse perspectives will interact with each other in substantive and stimulating sessions intended to encourage engagement on critical energy issues. Key topics that will be addressed include modernizing and expanding America's energy infrastructure, such as making the "smart grid" a reality; promoting energy efficiency and conservation among industry and households; taking advantage of innovations such as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles; reducing reliance on foreign energy; and utilizing the nation's resources effectively.

With energy and climate policy near the top of the agenda for the new Administration and Congress, the symposium will provide a timely and informative forum to discuss policy developments and progress towards reform. The Reform Institute’s Center for Energy and Environmental Progress is committed to advancing reforms that promote resilience in American energy. An Institute white paper last year, The Smart Alternative: Securing and Strengthening Our Nation’s Vulnerable Electric Grid, examined the benefits and obstacles to implementing a smart grid. A report to be released at the symposium will explore initiatives around the country to make the smart grid a reality. A new brief, Resilience in Energy: Building Infrastructure Today for Tomorrow’s Automotive Fuel, analyzes enhancements to the electrical grid necessary to facilitate the widespread adoption of plug-in electric hybrid vehicles. The Institute will release a paper in advance of the symposium that will assess the issues behind America’s energy crisis and serve as a discussion guide for the symposium.

CURRENT KEYNOTE SPEAKERS AND MODERATORS INCLUDE:
The Honorable John McCain, United States Senate
The Honorable Lisa Murkowski, United States senate
Douglas Holtz-Eakin, former Director of the Congressional Budget Office
Commissioner Marc Spitzer, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Susan McGinnis, Clean Skies TV
David Brewster, President, EnerNOC

CONFIRMED PARTICIPANTS INCLUDE:
Paul Bateman, TRI Valley Corp.; Alex Beehler, Plexus Logistics International; Denise Bode, American Wind Energy Association; Dr. Woodrow Clark II, Milken Institute and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change; Dave Conover, National Commission on Energy Policy; Dr. David Doty, Doty Energy; Steve Hauser, GridPoint; Timothy King, Alliance for Cooperative Innovation; Jason LeVecke, MJKL Enterprises; Andrew Littlefair, Clean Energy Corp.; Arthur Locke, Alcatel-Lucent; Cecilia Martinez, Reform Institute; Kenneth Nahigian, Nahigian Strategies, LLC; Cindy Ortega, MGM MIRAGE; Mark Perry, Nissan; Bill Price, Price Oil and Gas; Jeff Probst, Blue Sun Biodiesel; Ed Regan, Gainesville Regional Utilities; Tom Scrima, Tetros; Barbara Slayton, Lockheed Martin; Dudley Sondeno, Southwest Gas Corp.; Eric Spiegel, Booz & Company; Peter Thompson, Chubb Commercial Insurance; B. Keith Trent, Duke Energy Corp.; Maria Vargas, Energy Star; Harry Wingo, Google; Kathrin Winkler, EMC Corp.; Kurt Yeager, Galvin Electricity Initiative
      
INFO:             More information, including symposium agenda, and online registration at http://www.reforminstitute.org/DetailEvents.aspx?eid=58&cid=

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