National Energy Symposium Will Explore Solutions and Initiate Dialogue for Reform

Alexandria, VA, March 15, 2009 --(PR.com)-- What: Reforming American Energy: Encouraging Innovation, Producing Solutions, a national symposium convened by the Reform Institute that will bring together diverse interests to openly discuss the nation’s energy challenges and explore sensible short- and long-term solutions. The unique seminar-style format will promote constructive and provocative dialogue between representatives from a variety of businesses, utilities, government and environmental interests towards achieving a comprehensive national energy strategy. Unlike the average conference this event will not be a series of PowerPoint presentations. Participants will interact with each other in substantive and stimulating sessions intended to encourage engagement between differing perspectives on critical 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 legislation being considered in 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.

When: Tuesday, April 21, 2009
8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Where: Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill, Columbia A & B
400 New Jersey Avenue, NW
Washington, DC

Participants Include:
Paul Bateman, TRI Valley Corp.; Alex Beehler, Plexus Logistics International; Denise Bode, American Wind Energy Association; David Brewster, EnerNOC; Dr. Woodrow Clark II, Milken Institute; Dr. David Doty, Doty Energy; Jason Grumet, National Commission on Energy Policy; Douglas Holtz-Eakin, DHE Consulting, LLC; Timothy King, Alliance for Cooperative Innovation; Jason LeVecke, MJKL Enterprises; Alice Lippert, U.S. Department of Energy; Andrew Littlefair, Clean Energy Corp.; Arthur Locke, Alcatel-Lucent; Cecilia Martinez, Reform Institute; Susan McGinnis, Clean Skies TV; Kenneth Nahigian, Nahigian Strategies, LLC; Cindy Ortega, MGM MIRAGE; Bill Price, Price Oil and Gas; Ed Regan, Gainesville Regional Utilities; Eric Spiegel, Booz Allen Hamilton; Marc Spitzer, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; 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; and representatives from Pinnacle West; Nissan; Southwest Gas; and Lockheed Martin.

RSVP: Please RSVP at http://www.reforminstitute.org/DetailEvents.aspx?eid=58&cid=
Contact Chris Dreibelbis at 703-535-6897 x12 or chris@reforminstitute.org with any questions or to speak with Reform Institute experts

Sponsor: The Reform Institute (www.reforminstitute.org)

###

The Reform Institute is a non-partisan, not-for-profit educational organization working to strengthen the foundations of our democracy and build a resilient society. The Institute formulates and advocates valuable, solutions-based reforms in vital areas of public policy, including homeland and national security, energy and environmental progress, economic opportunity and competitiveness, immigration policy, and governance and election reform. Visit their website at www.reforminstitute.org.