A diverse coalition of industry, environmental, local government and academic institutions is sponsoring the Energy For The Power Of 32 Counties, 4 States, 1 Energy Future interactive discussion in Pittsburgh on December 11.

The Pittsburgh region is host to abundant energy resources, globally-leading expertise, and a willingness to collaborate to do things smarter than anyplace else.  But when it comes to energy, we don’t yet have a plan for where we are going.

Come and take part in the first formative steps toward identifying our region's energy future and developing strategies to assure our economic competitiveness and high quality of life. 

"Energy for the Power of 32: 32 Counties, 4 States, 1 Energy Future" will unite the region around newfound understanding of where our energy comes from, where it's consumed, and how it gets from one to the other—and introduce a civic dialogue on plotting the course for our region's smartest energy future.

Yes, energy production, distribution and conservation should be at the core of a critical national debate.  But regions like ours can't wait for the federal government to address the issues and opportunities. 

Regions are the centers of energy development, transmission, consumption, storage, and conservation.  They breed networks for innovation.  And they have the opportunity to establish actionable energy goals integrating aspirations for economy, equity, and environment.

With our heritage and assets, the Power of 32 region has the potential to be among the nation's first to lead this trend on energy planning.  By bridging borders and recognizing shared challenges and opportunities, our region is differentiated in its commitment to improving the future of 32 counties in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia.

The event will feature engaging, high value content and interactions, and request for your input:

-- Fast moving, memorable presentations about cutting-edge energy topics.

-- Small group deliberation on regional energy principles, values, pressing needs and opportunities, and recommendations for a process to create a regional energy plan and strategy.

-- Getting everybody on the same page - presentation of the region's Energy Baseline: first ever, fact-based characterization of sources of energy production, consumption, and outcomes.

-- Salon-style discussion with featured speakers to prepare attendees to roll up their sleeves and lay out issues and ideas, and envision the region they want to energize.

-- Exhibits featuring energy innovations, initiatives, and new ideas that will surprise and motivate.

Featured speakers include (more to be added):

-- Mustafa Ali, Senior Advisor to the Administrator for Environmental Justice, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. "Energy Equity: Ensuring all share in a bright energy future"

-- Robyn Beavers, Senior Vice President of Innovation and Founder of Station A Group, NRG Energy. "Innovating a 21st century low carbon, energy economy"

-- Neil Donahue, Professor of Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, and Engineering & Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University. "Policy Frameworks: Accounting for public health, climate change, and leveraging win-wins of energy innovation"

-- Ted Ford, President & CEO, Ohio Advanced Energy Economy. "America's regions poised to lead energy future.  What other regions are doing that the P32 region can too...energy plan and strategy"

-- Annie Gilleo, State Policy Research Analyst, The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.  "Keeping Score on Energy Efficiency - a strategy to generate cost-savings, promote technological innovation, and stimulate growth"

-- Greg Reed, Director of the Electric Power Initiative in the Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh. "Grid stability - keeping the lights on as we move to a new distributed energy future"

-- Dennis Yablonsky, CEO, Allegheny Conference on Community Development "Attracting and retaining talent - what the Allegheny Conference's strategic agenda suggests for our region's energy future"

This special event is presented by: Allegheny Conference on Community Development; Carnegie Mellon University, Scott Institute for Energy Innovation and Steinbrenner Institute for Environmental Education and Research; Center for Energy, University of Pittsburgh; Center for Energy and Sustainable Development at the WVU College of Law; Center for Energy Policy and Management, Washington & Jefferson College; Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future (PennFuture); Conservation Consultants, Inc.; Duquesne MBA Sustainability Program; Falk School of Sustainability, Chatham University; Green Building Alliance; GTECH; Institute of Politics, University of Pittsburgh; Pennsylvania Environmental Council; Power of 32; Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission; Sustainable Pittsburgh; and West Virginia University

Click Here for all the details.

10/20/2014