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As the economic crisis continued to close in on the United States in early 2009, EnergyBiz magazine hosted an event, EnergyBiz Leadership Forum, which is now being recognized as a tipping point moment in the debate on energy’s immediate present and long-term future. Perspectives included all the major influences on energy—industry executives, policy-makers, regulators, businesses, consumers, and members of the financial community—along with thought leaders from outside the industry. The event included keynote addresses, presentations, and roundtables.
Several prominent leaders, both from within the utility industry and outside of it, spoke at the forum on a wide range of formative issues, including:
- Charles E. Phillips Jr., president of Oracle, spoke about what his company can do to help manage the avalanche of information that the energy revolution will spawn in the years ahead. "Energy is our next frontier," said Phillips.
- Sven Thesen, an executive from Better Place, outlined how he and his compatriots will be using electric cars to end our reliance on dirty oil.
- Dan Reicher, Director of Climate Change and Energy Initiatives at Google.org, said that if consumers are given real-time information about their energy use that they will use that knowledge to reduce energy use and the cost of their utility bills.
- John Anderson from the Electricity Consumers Resource Council (ECRC) spoke about how rising energy prices could be fatal to American manufacturers who are already clinging to life.
- Susan Story, the president of Gulf Power, spoke passionately about the importance of upgrading math and science education for our future work force - our children.
- LeRoy Nosbaum, CEO and Chairman of the Board for Itron, stressed the need for the country to start viewing energy policy as a long-term event, and he conveyed his optimism that we are beginning the journey to rebuild our grid and energy infrastructure.
- John Bates, of Nuclear Innovation North America, said that the silver lining from the recession is the fall in commodity prices, which reduces the cost in building new nuclear plants.
A number of other presenters made the point that the American public is unaware of a possible 40% to 100% increase in the cost of electricity as a result of cap and trade legislation that aims to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Many speakers also warned that utilities may become the loathed tax collectors of a cash hungry federal bureaucracy.
By clicking on the links in the menu to the left you can view videos of the presentation portions from this powerful and insightful conference. Enjoy.
