Blueprint for America’s Energy Future Promotes Partnerships and Environmental Solutions
On September 30, 2008, the Institute for 21st Century Energy released “A Blueprint for Securing America's Energy Future” at the Lincoln Center in Fort Collins. Organized by the Institute, CSU and the Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce, the event was attended by representatives of clean and renewable energy companies and associated industries from across the Front Range, as well as federal and state agencies.Retired U.S. Marine Corps General James Jones was the keynote speaker. Gen. Jones is President and CEO of the Institute for 21st Century Energy. The Institute is a nonpartisan affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. While visiting Fort Collins, Gen. Jones noted that he also had the opportunity to tour the Engines and Energy Conversion Laboratory and learn about the discoveries that Dr. Bryan Willson and his colleagues are making in sustainable energy and how they’re educating the workforce of tomorrow.
Featured speakers included U.S. Senator Wayne Allard (R-CO) and Renny Fagan, State Director for U.S. Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO), who joined Gen. Jones on stage to talk about the strong renewable energy research that is developing at a rapid pace in Colorado.
Dr. Robert McGrath, Deputy Laboratory Director for Science & Technology at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, provided insight into the national role that NREL plays in developing solar, wind and biofuels research, as well as carbon management and energy efficiency solutions. Invited speakers representing the local business community were Thomas Gendron, Chairman and President of the Woodward Governor Company; Ron Bills, CEO and Chairman of Envirofit International; and Doug Henston, CEO of Solix Biofuels, Inc.
Ron Sega, CSU’s Vice President for Energy, the Environment, and Applied Research, introduced the distinguished guest speakers. Dr. Sega spoke about his current efforts to engage partners from industry, national laboratories and the government in working to make tangible progress toward energy and environmental solutions through innovation, entrepreneurship, education and research excellence. Before joining Colorado State, Dr. Sega had served in Washington, D. C. for six years. As Under Secretary of the Air Force, he led the team that received the overall Presidential Award for Leadership in Federal Energy Management for the U.S. government.
Gen. Jones shared his viewpoints on America’s ability to transform today’s energy challenges into historic opportunities by combining resources in the business community, government, and academia to create long-term energy solutions. He said that the Institute created the energy blueprint to address major societal issues, including a 50 percent increase in global demand for energy projected between now and 2030. Gen. Jones told the crowd that America must find new, viable and clean sources of energy to meet this surge in demand, helping ensure America’s economic prosperity. The Institute is also promoting the creation of more jobs through innovation and leadership that is focused on solving the world’s energy and environmental challenges.