Governor McDonnell to Host Virginia's First Governor's Conference on Energy

Press Release

Governor Bob McDonnell will host Virginia's first ever Governor's Conference on Energy, October 12-14 in Richmond. Titled 'Virginia: The Energy Capital of the East Coast', the Conference will be focused on the business of energy in the Commonwealth. After a day of pre-conference workshops, the comprehensive conference program will include an examination of how the energy sector is organized and operates in Virginia, the latest information on state and federal regulatory activity, cutting edge alternative energy projects, and energy research and development currently underway at the state's universities. Panels will include discussion of the future of Virginia's energy resources: developed and undeveloped, a careful and broad based review of conservation and efficiency opportunities, and consideration of transportation issues, including the future potential for electric vehicles and natural gas fleets. The conference will be highlighted by a keynote address by T. Boone Pickens.

Speaking about the conference, Governor McDonnell noted, "This conference will bring together leaders in the energy industry to discuss all aspects of the energy business in Virginia. Working together, we can make Virginia "The Energy Capital of the East Coast." In this global economy, we must tackle our energy needs with an 'all of the above' approach utilizing traditional, alternative, and renewable sources. Wind, coal, solar, nuclear, biomass, oil and natural gas are all part of our energy solution. By fully developing our domestic energy resources we can provide reliable, low cost power that will lead our country closer towards energy independence. I am also pleased to welcome T. Boone Pickens to the conference and the Commonwealth. I look forward to hearing his ideas and insights on this critically important issue."

The Governor will address the conference at a luncheon on Wednesday October 13th. Legendary oil and gas entrepreneur T. Boone Pickens will deliver the keynote address for the conference that evening. In July 2008, Pickens launched a grass-roots campaign to reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil. His "Picken's Plan" favors a significant transition to natural gas as a fuel for long distance hauling and encourages the development of fresh ideas around the question of our energy future. He is a dynamic and interesting speaker who is sure to present the audience with new ideas and challenges to traditional thinking around energy issues.

T. Boone Pickens remarked, "I'm looking forward to joining Governor McDonnell in Virginia at the first Governor's Energy Conference. Governor McDonnell's leadership on this issue shows that he is committed to taking the necessary steps that will lead toward greater energy security. If we are going to address the environmental and economic crisis associated with our escalating dependence on OPEC oil, we have to get serious about using North American resources in transportation to back out foreign oil/ diesel/ gasoline. Governor McDonnell understands that we have to get serious about our energy challenges, problems and opportunities in this country. It's going to take leadership, new thinking, big ideas and serious innovation to achieve greater energy independence and help transition to a more sustainable and economical energy model. Conferences like this one are an important part of that effort, and I'm pleased to be a part of it."

Expected to participate in the Governor's Conference on Energy are industry leaders from throughout Virginia, the region and nation. Sponsors include Virginia Commonwealth University, Dominion, Appalachian Power Co., Honeywell, Alpha Natural Resources, AGL Resources, Consol Energy/ CNX, API, and Johnson Controls. The Conference is being organized with the assistance of VCU, the Virginia Renewable Energy Association, the Virginia Sustainable Building Network, McGuireWoods Consulting, Dominion Virginia Power, ODEC, and Virginia Natural Gas. For information about sponsoring or exhibiting at the Conference, and to register to attend, go to http://www.governor.virginia.gov/ and/or http://www.vsbn.org/GCE2010/index.html

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