Sunday, March 30, 2008

Cap-and-Trade May be Theme of 2009 Energy Technology Summit in Wise

A U.S. Federal Cap-and-Trade System, advocated by the so-called Warner-Lieberman bill, provides market incentives to lower our nations's carbon emissions and cut greenhouse emissions by 25 percent by 2020 and 66 percent by 2050.

The climate bill pending before Congress - America's Climate Security Act - is sponsored by Sens. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., and John Warner, R-VA. The measure is the only major climate legislation so far to be approved at the committee level, passing out of the Environment and Public Works committee on Dec. 5 on a vote of 11-8. It is scheduled for Senate floor debate in June.

Under the proposed Cap-and-Trade, the government would sell a fixed number of cabon pollution permits to American industry, with prices set at auction and then determined by trading on Wall Street.

The carbon trade market, or the emissions trading scheme (ETS), is among the themes now being considered for the 2009 Energy Technology Summit. The timing of the United Nations Climate Change Conference [Copenhagen, Denmark in December 2009] where the adoption of post-Kyoto standards will certainly occur, makes the Warner-Lieberman bill relevant - just as it would the 2009 Energy Technology Summit in seeking to better understand regional implications of international cap-and-trade markets.

Energy Technology Summit to Begin

Over 125-members of the growing Southwestern Virginia Technology Council will gather as delegates to the Energy Technology Summit to be held at The University of Virginia's College at Wise on Monday, April 7, 2008 beginning at 8:30 AM.

While the Energy Technology Summit advance tickets have been sold out for nearly three weeks to the membership, this BLOG will open access to the public subsequently through YouTube video clips from each presentation. Access will encourage cooperation and innovation in futuristic energy technology development.

The Energy Technology Summit organizers expect the statewide print and electronic media to provide limited coverage, this BLOG will provide the Southwestern Virginia Technology Council members with in-depth start-to-finish video and photo journalism coverage of the outstanding summit agenda.

Saturday, March 29, 2008

2008 Energy Technology Summit to Hear Climate Change Talk by Boucher

Ninth Congressional District Congressman Rick Boucher will launch the 2008 Energy Technology Summit with a discussion of federal climate change policy.

The summit, sponsored by the Southwestern Virginia Technology Council, commences on Monday, April 7 at The University of Virginia's College at Wise in the C. Bason Slemp Student Union [6] beginning promptly at 8:30 AM EDT and following a light breakfast. [Boucher video]

A veteran Democratic Majority House legislator, the Congressman serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee and chairs its Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality. Boucher will take a leading role this year in writing new climate change policy, clean coal technology measures, and provide essential national energy security leadership from his subcommittee.

LEAD Virginia Scholar and Wise County Deputy Clerk of Circuit Court Melanie Beth Salyer will introduce Congressman Boucher at the Energy Technology Summit to set the clever atmosphere.

Space-based Solar Energy Gains Traction at the Pentagon and in Wise

Space-based solar power [SBSP] is gaining traction among military leaders and planners at the Pentagon with Lt. Col. Paul E. Damphousse, USMC, Chief of Advanced Concepts of the National Security Space Office, leading the way, [National Public Radio].

Lt. Col. Damphousse will be the second speaker at the 2008 Energy Technology Summit, Monday, April 7 at The University of Virginia's College at Wise. He will discuss an October 2007 report released at the National Press Club promoting and renewing the possibilities of space-based solar power [video].

A would-be NASA astronaut, Damphousse will discuss the futruistic concept of space-based solar power [SBSP]; and, the possibility of coming tests of SBSP on the International Space Station.

NASA Langley Aerospace Summer Scholar and UVA-Wise software engineering student Jacob Atkins will introduce Lt. Col. Damphousse so as to get participant thinking off-the-ground.

Senator Chap Petersen Champions Alt. Energy Development in Virginia

Fairfax Senator 'Chap' Petersen (D-34th Dist.) will bring the message of alternative energy workforce development to the 2008 Energy Technology Summit on Monday, April 7 at UVA-Wise as the third morning speaker.

In the 2008 session of the Virginia General Assembly, Senator Petersen offered a measure to require that on July 1, 2020, and in subsequent years, 20% of the electric energy sold by each supplier to retail customers in the Commonwealth be generated from renewable generation energy sources and that the Secretary of Commerce and Trade be directed to develop incentives for renewable energy manufacturing in the coalfield region of Virginia. [Video]

While the robust Senator's bill was not reported to the floor of the Senate, the proxy-energy measure did gain the interest of the state's environmental community, according to Greg Edwards at the Richmond Times Dispatch. The Southwestern Virginia Technology Council took note of his bill because of the coalfield workforce provision. [Video]

Mountain Empire Community College's Vice-President of Academic and Student Services, Richard Phillips, will introduce the State Senator for his remarks to the Energy Technology Summit member-participants.

Alpha Entrepreneur Brings Message of Growth to Energy Technology Summit

Mike Quillen is no stranger to go-go energy having now built one of the largest coal-producing energy firms in America - Alpha Natural Resources, Inc. (ANR) - with nearly $2-billion in annual revenue. [Video]

Quillen “is one of the most tested, experienced coal mining executives in the United States today…(he) emerged from a battered coal industry to forge Alpha Natural Resources, almost overnight, into Virginia’s largest coal producer – and one of its largest, most profitable companies,” according to Virginia Newswire’s editor, James Bacon.

A Virginia Tech engineering graduate, Quillen will bring his talent and insights on new energy technologies to the 2008 Energy Technology Summit Monday, April 7 as the summit's fourth speaker requiring innovative participant thinking to go underground.

Southwestern Virginia Technology Council Executive Director Esther Bolling will introduce the 2006 the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year and 2006 Virginia Tech College of Engineering’s Distinguished Alumnus to the membership/delegates attending the Energy Technology Summit. [Video]

Carbon Sequestration Expert to Give Overview of Technology Status

Dr. Michael Karmis is the region's leading expert in the development of coal carbon sequestration technologies and the final morning speaker at the 2008 Energy Technology Summit at the University of Virginia's College at Wise, Monday, April 7, 2008.

Concerns over climate change are promoting the development of carbon management strategies, including geologic carbon sequestration. Geologic sequestration options include direct injection into geological formations, including coal seams that cannot be mined, saline aquifers and depleted oil and gas reservoirs of which Dr. Karmis will discuss in relation to the Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center.

Dr. Karmis, the fifth speaker and the last prior to the summit luncheon, will be introduced by Alpha Natural Resources CEO Mike Quillen.

Dominion Resources CEO Farrell to Keynote Energy Technology Summit

Thomas F. Farrell, II is the leader of Dominion Resources, the largest single electric power producers in Virginia, as it seeks to become an active corporate citizen in southwestern Virginia through construction of a $1.8 billion modern coal-fired energy generation plant in the St. Paul community of Wise County.

Farrell is expected to spark interest among the 2008 Energy Technology Summit participants with his summit luncheon remarks. He is expcted to address the energy firm's plans to permit the electric energy generation plant in the most significant single capital investments in Wise County's history.

A member of the University of Virginia Board of Visitors (and former Rector), Farrell will be introduced by Wise attorney Don Pippin, a colleague on the University of Virginia's board. Following the luncheon remarks, Southwestern Virginia Technology Council President Donald Purdie will make a special award presentation to Farrell. [Video]

Equitable Resources Sr.VP to Talk Natural Gas Energy Technologies

Joseph (Ted) E. O'Brien, Senior Vice President of Equitable Resources, southwestern Virginia's leading producer of natural gas from hundreds of producing wells, will be the first post-lunch speaker to discuss the role of new technologies in enhanced natural gas productivity requiring fluid-thinking.

Equitable is an integrated energy company, with emphasis on Appalachian area natural gas production, gathering, processing, transmission and distribution. The firm has been increasing drilling and capital investment in Virginia's coalfields including a recent purchase of natural gas interest's from Penn Virginia Corp. in Wise County for $30-million last fall.

O'Brien, the seventh speaker, will be introduced to the Energy Technology Summit delegates by Wise County Chamber of Commerce Vice-President and Oliver Coal Sales leader Rita F. McReynolds.

Commercial Wind Farm Regulation by the State Corporation Commission Topic of Energy Tech Summit Interest

William H. Chambliss, the General Counsel of the State Corporation Commission, will relate to the 2008 Energy Technology Summit the recent regulatory approval of Virginia's first commercial wind energy permit issued by the SCC for the Highland New Wind Development, LLC last December.

The State Corporation Commission has granted conditional approval for the 39-MW Highland New Wind Development project that, if actually developed, will involve construction of twenty 400-foot turbines and associated infrastructure in the remote and ecologically unique northwest corner of Virginia’s Highland County.

Chambliss joined the Commission in 1992, serving first as a staff attorney in the Office of General Counsel and then as Assistant to Commissioner Hullihen Williams Moore. In April 1997, Mr. Chambliss was appointed Deputy General Counsel, with responsibilities over the Commission’s utility and telecommunication regulatory matters. Today he serves as General Counsel to the State Corporation Commission.

Southwestern Virginia Technology Council President-elect Shannon Blevins will introduce the General Counsel of the Virginia State Corpration Commission as the summit's eighth speaker. Summit delegates can count on this presentation not to drive your thinking-wits batty! [video 1 and video 2]

Left Blowing in the Wind, Highland New Wind To Tell Story of Permits

Tal McBride, who along with his father, Henry, launched Highland New Wind in 1999, will relate to the Energy Technology Summit his trials and tribulations in getting the first commercial wind farm permit through the state's regulatory system.

The 140-foot-high, wind turbines will soon provide about 40 megawatts of electricity - enough to power about 15,000 homes. A new substation will be needed to tie the turbines to a 69-kilovolt line owned by Allegheny Power.

In 2006, wind farms in 36 states generated less than 1 percent of the country's electric supply. Within 15 years, that figure is projected to grow to 2 to 7 percent.

The summit's ninth speaker, McBride will be introduced to the summit delegates by Southwestern Virginia Technology Council President-elect Shannon Blevins . Summit delegates can expect this presentation to be much more than hot air.

Alternative Energy Could be a Part of Local Economic Development Matrix

The 125-delegates of the Energy Technology Summit will warm-up to the talk from Ken Jurman of the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy. He is the manager of the Division of Energy’s renewable energy programs designed to enhance the regional and local economic development efforts and to promote the growth of alternative and renewable energy manufacturing.

Jurman also works with numerous public, private and non-profit organizations to increase the demand for, and use of, renewable and innovative energy technologies.

Jurman, the summit's tenth speaker, currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation, and the Small Wind Certification Council. He is a member of the American Solar Energy Society, and helped in the formation of the Virginia Wind Energy Collaborative.

Norton businessman George E. Hunnicutt, Jr. will introduce the leader of alternative energy development in Virginia.

Virginia Energy Plan Has 4-Main Goals

Stephen Walz is the Senior Advisor for Energy Policy in the Office of Governor Tim Kaine and will address the Energy Technology Summit about the new Virginia Energy Plan.

Waltz is the kinetic leader overseeing implementation of the Virginia Energy Plan, which sets out recommendations for state energy actions over the next 10 years. Mr. Walz also is Chair of the Governor’s Energy Policy Advisory Council.

Norton businessman George E. Hunnicutt, Jr. will introduce the state's chief energy counsellor to the governor. Waltz will be the eleventh peppy summit speaker.

Elecrtic Cars Challenge the Energy Grid

General Motors Corporation's Monica Murphy, a veteran auto industry representative, will electrify the 2008 Energy Technology Summit delegates with her lithesome descrption of the new hydrid vehicles coming on-line in the coming years - including the much-buzzed GM Volt [video].

New hybrid electric cars and SUVs are in high demand with the motoring public as gasoline prices advance to the $4 per gallon range. General Motors is working to meet the new demand early in the next decade. You can hear the sound of the future humming in an American manufacturing revolution as Ms. Murphy tells of the mirthful and jocund automotive era ahead.

One of the real questions faced by Detroit automakers is whether or not the elecrtic energy grid can sustain hundreds of thousands [if not millions] of autombiles being charged at night. Even if the electric vehicle can quite significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependency on foreign-produced oil in a V2G [vehicle to the grid] drive, sufficient off-peak electricity must be made available to recharge the automobile batteries.

NASA DEVELOP student Chelsea Rose will introduce the representatives from GM and Ford to discuss electric cars and conclude the 2008 Energy Technology Summit with new electric propulsion auto demonstrations.

The HOT 2011 Model GM VOLT May be Displayed at Energy Tech Summit


The Roanoke Times printed a Guest Commentary by one of the founders of the Southwestern Virginia Technology Council on electric cars. The Volt.

Ford Offers-up Hybrid SUV to Energy Technology Summit Attendees

Ford Motor Company will have on display a Ford Escape Hybrid E85 SUV on the campus of The University of Virginia's College at Wise for the 2008 Energy Technology Summit for both 21st Century driving students and energy business leaders to see. [video]

Energy Technoloy Summit Sets Ambitious Agenda for 125-Delegates

The Southwestern Virginia Technology Council-sponsored 2008 Energy Technology Summit will bring a wide array of energy innovations to the forefront on Monday, April 7, 2008 so as to enable local, regional, and statewide brainstorming on how best to proceed with energy technologies in the future.

The summit could not be held without the member-sponsored assistance to build the vision of our energy independent future as a vision without capital is a mere hallucination. Together, we embark on the road to an energy technology revolution starting in the HIGH-BTU corner of Virginia!