Boucher, McAuliffe and Deeds to Headline Energy Technology Summit Monday the 27th

Wise, VA. – Congressman Rick Boucher (D-Va) and Democratic gubernatorial primary candidates Terry McAuliffe and Creigh Deeds and a number of expert speakers on cutting-edge fusion energy, wind farms, bio-fuels, carbon-based coal and natural gas will be among the speakers at the 2nd Annual Energy Technology Summit to be held Monday, April 27th at The University of Virginia College at Wise Student Union beginning at 8:30 AM.

The one-day summit, sponsored by the Southwestern Virginia Technology Council, will be a gathering of one hundred and fifty thought leaders in business, government, energy and the environment to develop strategies for making southwestern Virginia an international leader in the development of advanced energy technologies in the coming decade. A number of energy technology business announcements are planned.

The luncheon and outdoor picnic on the college campus will feature a display of hybrid electric cars to demonstrate the latest in electric and natural gas conversion technologies lead by the Advanced Vehicle Research Center located at the North Carolina Research Triangle. The summit lunch is expected to draw hundreds from the student and faculty campus population, the local community, and the summit delegates.

An afternoon gubernatorial energy policy forum will include two of the four major candidates for Virginia governor in a discussion exclusively devoted to energy and energy technology policies. Democrats Terry McAuliffe and Creigh Deeds have committed to attend and address the policy issues. Energy has been a major policy issue in the 2009 statewide gubernatorial campaigns.

Prior to the late afternoon adjournment, technology attorney Jeff Mitchell of Blacksburg will conduct a continuing legal education seminar on the federal economic stimulus package energy funding programs. An estimated $9-billion in federal dollars are targeted for small energy firms. Attorneys and accountants will receive professional education credits.

The 2009 Energy Technology Summit is an outgrowth of efforts within the regional technology community to assist in the development and growth of the regional energy technology economy. Contact Esther Bolling at 679-7800 for specific registration details.
General admission tickets are $50 per person.

Wind Power in Southwest Virginia Now!

Dominion Resources Exploring Wind Turbine Projects in SW VA

To follow and get updates on Dominion Resources/BP wind development projects in Wise and Tazewell Counties of Southwestern Virginia, one may check this Twitter page on a regular basis. A presentation will be made about the proposed wind turbine development projects at the 2009 Energy Technology Summit sponsored by the Southwestern Virginia Technology Council. Stay tuned.

Fusion Energy In Your Future?

Fusion Energy In Your Future? Just ask Richard Dell on Monday, April 27th at the Virginia Energy Technology Summit at UVA-Wise.

White House Seeks New Energy Policy

President Barack Obama's national energy policy is posted on the White House web page. Significant elements of the renewable energy policy, coal carbon sequestration research, and monies for a 'Smart Electric Grid' are expected to be included in a final Congressional Conference Committee version. The White House energy policy will be discussed at the 2009 Energy technology Summit to be held at The University of Virginia's College at Wise on Monday, April 27, 2009 beginning at 8:30 AM.

Gov. Tim Kaine to Push Green Jobs

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Jan. 12, 2009 – Gov. Tim Kaine today proposed several pieces of legislation designed to promote green jobs as part of his Renew Virginia initiative. Gov. Kaine made his announcement from the headquarters of Solar Services Inc., a Virginia Beach company that installs solar panels. [MORE]

The organizers of the 2009 Energy Technology Summit have issued an invitation to the governor to discuss the results of the energy legislation following the adjournment of the 2009 Virginia General Assembly - April 27, 2009.

Energy Technology Summit: April 27th

The 2009 Energy Technology Summit is going to be an excting and innovative event to be held Monday, April 27, 2009 beginning at 8:30 AM on the campus of The University of Virginia's College at Wise with the theme: New Energy Locomotion.

The topics this year will include Climate Change 'Cap and Trade' federal legislation being pursued by President Barack Obama; the future of fusion energy [vid-2]; conversion of coal-fired power plant fly ash-to-manufactured goods; electric and natural gas powered automobile displays [vid 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7]. Also being planned is a high-voltage discussion of state and federal energy policy envisioned over the next four years by candidates for Virginia governor in 2009 to conclude the energy technology summit.

Details are now being developed by the summit organizers with several speakers having confirmed participation. Congressman Rick Boucher and Richard D. Dell, Jr. will lead some of the energy technology discussions. There will also be local energy technology business announcements.

Over 150 energy technology business leaders and federal, state and local government leaders participated in the 2008 Energy Technology Summit. In 2009 organizers hope to involve hundreds of college students. WATCH THIS BLOG for more details.

A Message to the Next US President

Space-based solar power is essential to the future; and, here is why.

Push the Pickens Plan

$1.8 BILLION Dominion Resources Coal-Fired Power Plant Approved in Wise

The much-debated and yet to be litigated $1.8 billion dollar Wise County-based Dominion Resources coal-fired power plant has gained final regualtory approval with strict restrictions on pollution. The coal-fired power plant has gained news coverage far and wide -- even in Great Britian's Guardian this week.

Vulcan Project to Measure Carbon CO2 Footprints Across the American Nation

Project Vulcan is a collaboration between Purdue University, The Department of Energy and NASA to map the extent of the United States' carbon emissions North American Carbon Program (NACP) to quantify North American fossil fuel carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions at space and time scales much finer than has been achieved in the past using GIS maps [vid]. The purpose of Project Vulcan is to aid in quantification of the North American carbon budget, to support inverse estimation of carbon sources and sinks, and to support the demands posed by the launch of the Orbital Carbon Observatory (OCO) scheduled for 2008/2009. Linked is a state-by-state profile of CO2 emissions.

Bush Cites Technology to Curb GHGs

Current Time Magazine does 'Cap and Trade' story.

President George W. Bush yesterday weighed-in on the domestic and international debate to curb greehouse gas [GHG] emissions suggesting new target dates for significant reductions but falling short of the goals being debated in the Congress reports TheWashington Post.

Presidential Politics and Wise County

The Wall Street Journal reported today on Democratic presidential primaries in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Indiana where local jobs and politics are driven, in-part, by the mining of coal. The political balance between cap-and-trade for greenhouse emission limitations and other alternative energy sources was illustrated by the proposed $1.8 billion Dominion Resources coal-fired plant proposed in Wise County, Virginia.

Wise County's Solar Power Tax Exemption Spans More Than A Decade

Wise County's administrator Glen "Skip" Skinner located the solar power property tax exemption that dates back to 1994 as adopted by the then-county board of supervisors. It was reported during the Energy Technology Summit that only 20 of Virginia's 134 counties and cities have such a solar power tax exemption. Good thing too - since Wise County is seeking a solar power panel manufacturer to locate in the Technology Park.