Markup of Ocean Exploration, Energy Storage, and Industrial Energy Efficiency Acts
The Business Opportunity in a Low-Carbon Energy Economy
As Congress turns its attention to passing an energy bill to begin the United States on a path towards a cleaner energy future, the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming will host several CEOs who have seen the business opportunities in a low-carbon energy world.
Representatives from three leading business groups advocating for caps on the heat-trapping emissions that cause global warming will appear before Chairman Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and the Select Committee to discuss their companies’ work to reduce emissions and increase profits.
Witnesses- Alain Grisay, CEO, F&C Investments, member of the UK and EU Corporate Leaders’ Groups on Climate Change
- Neil Carson, CEO, Johnson Matthey plc, member of the UK Corporate Leaders’ Group
- Ralph Izzo, Chairman, President and CEO, Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PSEG), member of Clean Energy Group and its Clean Air Policy Initiative
- Jonathan Lash, President, World Resources Institute, member U.S. Climate Action Partnership
National Conversation on Climate Action
On October 4th, mayors and other local government leaders across the U.S. will convene meetings in their communities to discuss the science and what is needed to solve global warming as part of the first annual National Conversation on Climate Action, an initiative sponsored by ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, an international membership association of local governments dedicated to advancing sustainable development and climate solutions through local action; Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, and the Association of Science-Technology Centers, an organization of science centers and museums dedicated to furthering the public understanding of science among increasingly diverse audiences.
Impact of Greenhouse Gas Reduction Policies on Natural Gas Demand
The Natural Gas Council will hold a news conference to discuss a new study that projects the impact of proposed greenhouse gas reduction policies on future natural gas demand and energy markets.
Contact: Jeff Eshelman at 202-857-4722
1201 15th St. N.W., Suite 5000
Energy Storage Technologies: State of Development for Stationary and Vehicular Applications
- Patricia Hoffman, Deputy Director Research and Development, U.S. Department of Energy Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability
- Brad Roberts, Chairman, Electricity Storage Association
- Larry Dickerman, Director Distribution Engineering Services for American Electric Power
- Tom Key, Technical Leader, Renewable and Distributed Generations, Electric Power Research Institute
- Lynda Ziegler, Sr. Vice President for Customer Services at Southern California Edison
- Mary Ann Wright, Vice President and General Manager Hybrid Systems for Johnson Controls
- Denise Gray, Director Hybrid Energy Storage Systems, General Motors
Committee press release: Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Energy and Environment considered the status of developing competitive energy storage systems for stationary and vehicular applications – both of which could provide significant economic and environmental benefits for improving the nation’s energy storage capability.
“Better energy storage technologies will also enable us to operate electric utilities in a more flexible and efficient manner. Energy storage can also help us respond to power outages more efficiently, providing greater electricity reliability. This could be vital for maintaining operations at critical facilities such as hospitals during a natural disaster,” said Subcommittee Chairman Nick Lampson (D-TX).
In the context of the hearing, the Subcommittee also discussed draft legislation entitled Energy Storage Technology Advancement Act of 2007, a bill soon to be introduced by Committee Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN).
“Energy storage is also critical for the next generation of vehicles, which will help reduce our dependence on foreign oil and lower greenhouse gas emissions,” added Chairman Gordon. “I also think public-private partnerships can improve the production process for advanced vehicle components so that the U.S. becomes a leader in manufacturing these breakthrough technologies. With so many benefits of energy storage technologies, I think additional federal investment to research, test and advance these systems should be a priority.”
Broad deployment of energy storage technologies can help to improve the operational efficiency and reliability of our electricity delivery system, and allow for more diversified electricity sources and vehicle models that reduce our dependence on foreign energy supplies and address concerns about global climate change. However, there is concern that the U.S. is falling behind in the race to develop and manufacture a wide range of energy storage technologies, and a significant effort is underway to build up a domestic energy storage industry for both stationary and vehicular applications.
Climate Conference Protest Rally
In a clearly manipulative move, George Bush is inviting top leaders from around the world to Washington, D.C. on Sept. 27th and 28th to officially convey his “deep concern” about global warming. His proposed fix: more useless “voluntary” measures and huge subsidies for “clean coal” and nuclear energy. The event is clearly meant to undermine real international efforts now underway to achieve mandatory greenhouse gas cuts under the Kyoto process.
Join other concerned Americans in protesting this cynical conference on September 28th from noon-1:00 p.m. We’ll be holding a rally downtown next to the State Department, in the park at intersection of 21st St. and Virginia Ave. NW between D and E.
Sponsored by: Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Energy Action, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace, the Natural Resources Defense Council, Oil Change International, SustainUS, the U.S. Climate Action Network, and the U.S. Climate Emergency Council.
The National Security Implications of Climate Change
Rescheduled from April 24, 2007.
Major Economies Meeting on Energy Security and Climate Change 1
The United States is committed to collaborating with other major economies to agree on a detailed contribution for a new global framework by the end of 2008, which would contribute to a global agreement under the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change by 2009.
To this end, President Bush asked Secretary Rice to host a meeting of major economies in Washington, D.C., on September 27 – 28, 2007. Bush intends to address the conference. At this meeting, we would seek agreement on the process by which the major economies would, by the end of 2008, agree upon a post-2012 framework that could include a long-term global goal, nationally defined mid-term goals and strategies, and sector-based approaches for improving energy security and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, we expect to place special emphasis on how major economies can, in close cooperation with the private sector, accelerate the development and deployment of clean technologies, a critical component of an effective global approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. James L. Connaughton, Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality, will serve as Bush’s personal representative.
CGI Annual Meeting
At the center of CGI is our Annual Meeting, held in New York each September coinciding with the U.N. General Assembly. This is a working session designed to provide insights into global problems for the purpose of enabling productive action in CGI’s four areas of focus: education, energy and climate change, global health and poverty alleviation.