Credit Suisse U.S. Equity Research Hosts First Annual 'Future of Energy Conference' in Washington DC

NEW YORK, June 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Credit Suisse U.S. Equity Research hosted the first annual "Future of Energy Conference" in Washington, DC, June 2nd – June 4th. The conference focused on a wide range of topics from emerging technologies to investment opportunities in both the public and private arenas.  Highlights included keynote addresses by former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and James Carville, American Political Consultant as well as Andy Karsner, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Energy, Office of Energy and Renewable Energy from 2005 – 2008.

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Over 60 companies, represented by their CEOs and other executive management, attended the conference from important sectors participating in the global energy landscape including cleantech, chemicals and advanced materials, smart grid technologies, solar, wind and utilities. In addition to individual company presentations, the conference featured panel discussions on smart grid and energy efficiency, biofuels, batteries, electric vehicles, and private equity in the solar and wind industries.

"As technological advancements continue to influence the energy space, we recognize that strategic decisions need to be made to ensure that existing and future energy supplies remain safe, sustainable and economically viable," said Mark Flannery, Head of U.S. Equity Research at Credit Suisse.  "At this critical point in the evolving energy landscape, we were pleased to give clients the opportunity to hear from a unique mix of niche firms and larger-scale utility, energy and chemical companies that are committed to new technologies and the alternative energy arena."

In their joint keynote address, Newt Gingrich and James Carville discussed their views on the political environment and how it might impact the future of energy, and expressed concerns regarding the environmental and political implications of the Gulf Coast oil spill.  With a similar focus on the role that government will play on the future of energy, Andy Karsner addressed the need for government to create a predictable and enabling framework to ensure capital formation within the alternative energy field.

Throughout the conference, presentations and panel discussions covered a number of interesting perspectives on the direction of the energy sector. Some common themes included the need to educate investors on new technologies, and for companies to outline their economic efficiencies and value propositions.

Credit Suisse AG

Credit Suisse AG is one of the world's leading financial services providers and is part of the Credit Suisse group of companies (referred to here as 'Credit Suisse'). As an integrated bank, Credit Suisse offers clients its combined expertise in the areas of private banking, investment banking and asset management. Credit Suisse provides advisory services, comprehensive solutions and innovative products to companies, institutional clients and high-net-worth private clients globally, as well as to retail clients in Switzerland. Credit Suisse is headquartered in Zurich and operates in over 50 countries worldwide. The group employs approximately 48,300 people. The registered shares (CSGN) of Credit Suisse's parent company, Credit Suisse Group AG, are listed in Switzerland and, in the form of American Depositary Shares (CS), in New York. Further information about Credit Suisse can be found at www.credit-suisse.com.

Investment Banking

In its Investment Banking business, Credit Suisse offers securities products and financial advisory services to users and suppliers of capital around the world. Operating in 57 locations across 30 countries, Credit Suisse is active across the full spectrum of financial services products including debt and equity underwriting, sales and trading, mergers and acquisitions, investment research, and correspondent and prime brokerage services.

SOURCE Credit Suisse AG