New York Times Energy for Tomorrow Conference

New York AREA Chairman Jerry Kremer and Director Richard Thomas represented the coalition at an energy conference sponsored by The New York Times last week in Midtown. The Energy for Tomorrow Conference had notable speakers including U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Manuel Camacho Solis, the former mayor of Mexico City and Mexico’s former secretary of urban development and the environment, and Greenpeace Executive Director Phil Radford.

One panel, titled “Rub the Green,” focused on environmental groups’ efforts to increase pressure on the energy industry and to challenge major development projects, such as the Keystone XL pipeline. During the discussion, Phil Radford was asked about the types of energy Greenpeace supports, and he responded, “We support a moon shot program for NASA to figure out our energy needs. We say no to coal, no nuclear, no to natural gas, and yes to wind and solar.”

Another panel, “Counting the Cost,” sought to identify ways to promote renewable energy. The speakers discussed government’s role in promoting renewable energy and whether companies should receive subsidies to bring renewable energy into the marketplace. During the panel, Marvin Fertel, president and CEO of the Nuclear Energy Institute, said that, since 1950, the nuclear industry received seven percent (in aggregate) subsidies and renewable energy sources received nine percent over the same period.

Watch videos from the event at http://nytenergyfortomorrow.com.

This event was a great opportunity for New York AREA to be involved in the state’s energy discussion. Please keep us updated on the events that you are attending and they’ll be highlighted on this blog.