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For Immediate Release: October 30, 2001
Contact: Mark Pfeifle 202-208-6416
Interior Secretary Norton, Energy Secretary Abraham Announce National Renewable Energy Summit in California on Nov. 29
- Summit is an opportunity to listen to industry and citizen representatives, gather ideas and produce solutions outlined in President's National Energy Policy -
(WASHINGTON) - Interior Secretary Gale Norton and Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham announced today that the Department of the Interior and the Department of Energy will host a National Summit on Opportunities to Expand Renewable Energy on Public Lands on Thursday, Nov. 29, at the Los Angeles County Fairplex in Pomona, Calif. Developing alternative sources of energy is a key component in the President's National Energy Policy released in May.
"Our national renewable energy summit will bring government officials together with industry and environmental leaders and other citizens to focus on the best ways to increase wind, solar, and geothermal production on public lands," Secretary Norton said. "President Bush's national energy plan promotes conservation, diversifies our energy supply and increases the variety of fuel sources we use - all keys to reduce our dependence on a single type of fuel."
"Diversifying America's resources at home is essential to strengthening America's energy security," added Energy Secretary Abraham. "This summit will serve the President's goal of maintaining a stable, reliable energy supply in the 21st century."
The genesis of the summit is a May 2001 recommendation from Vice President Cheney's National Energy Policy Development Group that the Secretaries of the Interior and Energy reevaluate existing limitations on access to public lands in order to increase production of renewable sources and reduce delays in geothermal lease processing. Norton and Abraham will invite top administration, state, local, environmental and energy officials, industry associations and environmental organizations.
On Wednesday, Nov. 28, Norton will lead a tour of several renewable energy sites in California related to geothermal, wind, biomass and solar energy. The summit hearing on Thursday, Nov. 29 will feature panelists discussing issues. Topics of discussion will likely relate to:
.Permitting, leasing, public lands access, and other regulatory matters;
.Government procurement and energy purchasing
.Transmission access and adequacy.
More information will be released as the schedule is finalized.
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