Join us for an event that could change your life, improve your future and secure our nation’s prosperity for generations to come. The Citizen’s Energy Summit is hosted by Citizen’s Energy Plan, a grassroots organization made up of ordinary citizens and business people that have begun a national conversation about the unfolding energy crisis. We’ve invited the region’s most knowledgeable, passionate speakers on energy topics to help us learn, share & collaborate. Your $50 ticket to this event includes a CEP membership. Seats are limited, so register today!

 

 

SPEAKER LIST:

 “CEP: An Energy Solution For the People, By the People”

Vidar Lee Byberg
Lee Byberg is doing something that very few private citizens have the courage or energy to do. He’s leveraging his extensive experience in business, energy and emerging technologies to formally address an issue that is of grave personal concern: the future of our nation and the legacy we are leaving to our children. Lee is the initiator and president of Citizen’s Energy Plan (CEP), a grassroots organization that was founded in Willmar, Minnesota by a volunteer group of concerned citizens with a passion for energy issues. Lee will explain how CEP has the potential to re-shape our future by developing, authoring and presenting a National Energy Plan to U.S. Congress by September of 2010. This Summit is CEP’s first step towards “generating a conversation” among industry experts, the business community and private citizens about the energy and environmental issues we face, and how CEP can lead us to a real solution with a real timeline for success.

“Here’s Your Wake-up Call!”

Joe Shuster
Professional Credentials: Chemical Engineer, author of Beyond Fossil Fools: The Roadmap to Energy Independence by 2040, co-founder of eight high-tech energy-related companies, past advisor to U.S. Congress

Joe Shuster will give us an urgent, well-informed wake-up call about what he calls a “brewing energy storm.” His message is intense, yet filled with hopeful optimism. Joe will outline a quantified plan for moving beyond fossil fuel dependence to a future of clean, eternal, affordable energy. His ideas also address the issues of global warming, acid rain, ocean acidification, mercury pollution, the value of the dollar, transportation, and health issues associated with fossil fuels.

“Primer on Cap and Trade”

Christina Pierson
Professional Credentials: General Manager of the Minnesota Rural Electric Cooperatives, past manager of the Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association

Christina and Mark will share information regarding the preservation of reliable and affordable electricity for Minnesota families and businesses while meeting environmental expectations. They will discuss the delicate balance of baseload, peaking and intermittent power; the environmental impact of all electric energy sources, the continued need for all electric energy sources; and the importance of energy efficiency in power generation and electricity consumption. Together, they will explain cap and trade policies, and provide insider insight into the impact of a regional system on Minnesota as well as the advancement of carbon reduction technologies.

“Evaluating our Nation’s Energy Infrastructure”

Massoud Amin
Professional Credentials: Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Minnesota, Director of the Center for the Development of Technological Leadership (CDTL), Honeywell/H.W. Sweatt Chair in Technological Leadership, winner of the 2002 President's Award for the Infrastructure Security Initiative, published author

Within days after the tragic 9/11 terrorist attacks on our country, Massoud Amin was placed in charge of an aggressive, security-related research and development initiative on our nation’s power grid, a high-value target for terrorism. Massoud is a renowned expert in national infrastructures for energy, transportation and communication. In addition, Massoud pioneered R&D into smart electric power grids during 1998-2002, coined the term 'self-healing grid' and led the development of over 24 technologies transferred to the industry. He’ll call on his vast experience and research to help us better understand the state of our nation’s power grid, and its potential to remain secure and serve our growing needs over the next century.

“Fueling the Midwest in a Carbon-constrained World”

Rolf Nordstrom
Professional Credentials: Executive Director of the Great Plains Institute, former Assistant Director of Governor Carlson's Sustainable Development Initiative, former aide to Texas member of Congress, MA in International Environmental Policy from Tufts University

Oil market upheavals have cost the United States more than $7 Trillion and our dependence on foreign oil grows by the day. Yet, one can count on a single hand the options for replacing gasoline as a vehicle fuel. Rolf was the author of Minnesota’s first-ever report on the potential for hydrogen and fuel cells to play a useful role in the state’s energy future, and has helped shape critical new laws on hydrogen development, land use, high-performance buildings and sustainable development. During his presentation, Rolf will help you better understand why we must pursue hydrogen, biofuels and electricity simultaneously if we are serious about oil dependence, air pollution and climate change.