Climate Change To Top The Agenda At World Energy Engineering Congress (WEEC) In Washington, DC

ATLANTA, Aug. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- President Obama has made climate change a priority in his second term, unveiling new executive orders that will cut US carbon emissions. These cuts have the potential to lead to increased utility rates resulting from the phasing out of coal-fired power plants in favor of cleaner power sources such as natural gas or renewable energy. A 2013 survey of AEE members reveals that 83% of respondents believe that climate change is happening, and 86% of those respondents believe that the federal government should take action to combat the negative effects of climate change. Focusing on the long term energy outlook, the 36th WEEC, will feature a debate on the future and impact of climate change policy, addressing both side of the issue and including updates on the most recent science, along with thoughts on how to communicate complex scientific findings to policymakers and the general public. The debate will also feature a conversation on what the next steps are likely to be taken by the executive and legislative branches of government with regard to this issue.

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The WEEC will feature over 250 speakers, including Opening Session speakers former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger; Senator Jeff Sessions; Kateri Callahan, President of the Alliance to Save Energy; and Jim Bolte, President of Toyota Manufacturing, Alabama; along with Closing Keynote Luncheon speaker William Colton, Vice President, Corporate Strategic Planning for theExxon Mobil Corporation. Nancy Sutley, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, will speak at the Council on Women in Energy & Environmental Leadership networking breakfast. Former Gov. Schwarzenegger's most notable accomplishments while governor include the nation-leading Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 - a bipartisan agreement to combat global warming by reducing California's greenhouse gas emissions - and overhauling the state's workers' compensation system - cutting costs by more than 35 percent. Mr. Colton oversees all of his corporation's strategic planning activities and the development of its Energy Outlook, ExxonMobil's assessment of global energy trends.

The WEEC is the nation's largest energy efficiency conference and exposition and addresses new advances in energy management, lighting, HVAC building systems, Cleantech, renewable and power technologies. Conference topics include: energy policy, high performance buildings, and energy management "best practices" for the federal, commercial, institutional, and industrial marketplace. Stimulus funding updates, green jobs, and financing are covered in detail. For the conference program, go to http://www.energycongress.com/program/2013weec/2013WEECProgram.html

The WEEC is presented by platinum sponsor Saudi Aramco, silver sponsor Trane, and bronze sponsors ENERGY STAR, North America Power Partners, and Toyota, along with other sponsors.

The WEEC will feature a large, 13-track conference agenda, a full line-up of seminars on a variety of current topics such as distributed generation, lighting efficiency, measurement and verification (M&V), certified energy management and many more, and a comprehensive 100,000 ft2 exhibition of the world's most promising new technologies. View full details at the show website, http://www.energycongress.com/

Media Contact: Megan O'Neil, Association of Energy Engineers, (770) 447-5083, ext. 229, [email protected]

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SOURCE Association of Energy Engineers