(College Station)—Key energy leaders from government, industry and academia will gather in College Station for a one-day symposium, “The Energy Policy Act of 2005: One Year Later,” Aug. 31 at the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center at Texas A&M University.
Hosted by The Texas A&M University System, the symposium will cover The Energy Policy Act of 2005, which addressed the United States’ energy challenges, and the impacts and implementation of the landmark legislation. Featured speakers will include Rep. Joe Barton, chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee; Rep. Chet Edwards, member of the House Energy and Water Appropriations Committee; David Garman, undersecretary of the U.S. Department of Energy; and John D. White, chairman of the Board of Regents of the A&M System.
Panel sessions will feature leaders from Idaho National Laboratory, the National Energy Technology Laboratory, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Shell, the Texas Railroad Commission and TXU as well as other key national organizations.
Key national energy leaders will discuss the intent and purpose of Congress in enacting the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and related subsequent actions by Congress; the response of the U.S. Department of Energy in developing initiatives and programs to implement the legislation as well as the department’s future plans; the Congressional perspective in appropriating resources for energy programs; the interlinking of energy and national security; and the views and recommendations of the leading energy sectors in regards to the legislation.
“This will be an excellent opportunity to hear the thoughts of key national policy and decision makers on this critical issue,” said K. Lee Peddicord, A&M System vice chancellor for research and federal relations and symposium organizer.
Following the symposium will be a one-day workshop Sept. 1 for A&M System faculty, staff and researchers to address several components of the energy picture in which the A&M System has particular capabilities.
James Decker, principal deputy director of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science will begin the workshop with a talk on the department’s science program to secure the energy future of the United States. The six breakout sessions, led by Texas A&M faculty members, will be Fossil Fuels for Transportation, Nuclear Energy, Electric Power Systems, Energy Efficiency and Renewables, Energy Policy and Economics, and Renewable Bio-energy Feedstocks.
A&M System employees are invited to both days––the conference and workshop––at a cost of $50. All other participants may attend the first day (Aug. 31) at a cost of $150. The conference is open to the public, but attendance is limited.