The next two days, the National Academies will be holding a Summit on America’s Energy Future. This looks to be a serious two days of presentations by some real heavy-hitters. And, since the registration is full, you’ll have to be satisfied (like me) with striving to keep up with this agenda via webcast.
The meeting has a quite interesting focus, one that is truly intriguing:
The National Academies Summit on America’s Energy Future is a two-day, critical overview of the recent influential energy studies and initiatives. This timely event is intended to stimulate discussion among participants with diverse points of view on energy issues.
What concerns me, looking to the next two days, is how “diverse” the “points of view” truly will be. And, to what extent the format enables serious discussion and examination of studies, rather than simply presentations of them.
Obviously, the Administration is heavily represented. Okay. There is the National Commission on Energy Policy (which was chaired by an Oil Executive), the National Petroleum Council, teh Electric Power Research Institute but not the American Wind Energy Association or the Solar Electric Association or the Hydropower Association …. Discussion of Biofuels and the Hydrogen Economy, but no solar, wind, or biomass session?
Represented studies include excellent work on coal from MIT, the amazing Winning the Oil Endgame (presented by Amory Lovins), and the highly conservative in assumptions McKinsey study … all excellent works to be discussed, but, again, no overarching study on renewables?
Okay, this should be a great set of presentations, because so many of the people are top-notch in their fields. Worthwhile for that learning opportunity. But, does this mix truly represent a “Summit on America’s Energy Future”?
In any event, carving out time to be listening to webcasting of the event.
0 responses so far ↓
1 Nick // Mar 13, 2008 at 8:49 am
I think it’s good that people are at least talking about the future of energy. There will probably be some great changes in the next few years, with the help of the general public’s increase awareness and cheap renewable solutions.
2 A Siegel // Mar 13, 2008 at 11:04 am
Nick —
One of the interesting problems in DC, now, is the total inability to keep up with all the energy and global warming discussions. Whether in Congress, think tanks, conference centers, or otherwise, the calendar is full with interesting and valuable meetings.
Now, I respect many of the people presenting at the NAS and there should be much interesting material. But, again, when discussing “America’s Energy Future”, how come there is not a stronger representation of, for example, energy efficiency (yes, I know McKinsey is there) or a potential renewables path. They (and I) might disagree with it, but (for example) the Greenpeace “Energy [r]Evolution” (http://www.greenpeace.org/international/news/energyrevolution-250107) could have been an interesting “report” to be briefed and discussed in this audience/forum. Etc …