Washington D.C. - The University of Kansas Energy Council participated with top Washington leaders in a half-day panel discussion called, "A Dialogue on Energy Security with America.s Business Leaders" earlier this week at the U.S Chamber of Commerce.
Dr. Laurence Weatherley, Chair of the KU Energy Council was asked to participate in the event by energy expert Susan Eisenhower who visited KU in March as part of her eight city energy tour. The goal the Eisenhower tour was to learn about the countries energy and energy transmission needs in the first one hundred days of the new administration and then bring those results back to Washington D.C.
"I am a big fan of field trips," Ms. Eisenhower said at the event, "and I am excited to bring an energy perspective to Washington from those working outside of the beltway."
Key speakers at the event included U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, U.S. Senator and Chairman of the U.S. Senate Republican Conference Lamar Alexander, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, and Susan Eisenhower.
The day's events kicked off with Ken Salazar highlighting the countries need for a comprehensive energy plan. In his remarks he highlighted the three drivers contributing to the "new energy economy" - national security, environmental security, and economic opportunity. Next Lamar Alexander discussed the energy gap between the development of renewable energy and the use of inexpensive existing resources. Then Steny Hoyer discussed the three priorities of the new administration . the economy, healthcare, and energy. Finally, Susan Eisenhower showcased what she had learned during her eight city tour learning about energy and transmission needs.
A panel discussion was held after each keynote address giving panelists and the audience a chance to raise additional points and present questions to each keynote speaker. After Eisenhower's address Dr. Weatherley was joined by the Oklahoma Secretary of Energy, Robert Wegener and CEO of West Virginal Media Bray Cary.
Dr. Weatherley highlighted the innovations in energy technology being developed by the University of Kansas as well as other universities around the country. He used the KU Transportation Institute's "Feedstock to Tailpipe" concept to highlight the interdisciplinary work in energy going on at KU. Finally he discussed the importance of higher education in the development of a workforce prepared to address the emerging energy needs of the 21st century - a fact which was later reinforced by the events moderator Karen Harbert, CEO of the U.S. Chamber's Institute for 21st Century Energy who highlighted the need for the creation of "intellectual feedstock" to maintain the U.S.'s competitive advantage worldwide.
The University of Kansas Energy Council is the primary coordinating unit of energy related research and educational activities at KU. The Council's objectives include elevation of the importance of energy within the research and educational mission of the University of Kansas; cross-discipline collaboration in the research and development of new innovations in the capture and use of energy; and the application of these innovations in industry settings that will ultimately benefit the State of Kansas.
For more information please contact:
Jeremy Viscomi
Program Officer
785.760.3640
