Senator Richard Lugar Kicks Off Inaugural Clean Economy Summit; Government and Business Leaders Seek to Produce Practical Roadmap for Building Clean Economy

Former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, CEO of A123 Systems David Vieau and Verizon to be honored for leadership, with keynote from Senator Maria Cantwell

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Senior business leaders, policymakers and clean energy thought leaders convened today for the first annual Clean Economy Summit, hosted by the Clean Economy Network Education Fund.  The goal of the two-day conference is to produce a practical business and policy roadmap for achieving a clean economy and accelerating job creation in the United States.

Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) kicked off the Summit at the Mayflower Hotel with a keynote highlighting the problems and opportunities in building the U.S. clean economy.

"U.S. energy policy is not happening in a vacuum. Nations around the world are looking for solutions to the same problems," said Lugar. "Alternative energy and energy efficiency technologies have the potential to be major export industries that would benefit the American economy for generations. The economic benefits of these technologies will flow to nations that win the race to develop and deploy them."

The Summit seeks to explore top policy issues facing the emerging clean economy and to identify next steps for building this promising industry in the United States. Roundtable topics will include: Transportation and Infrastructure, Deployment, Manufacturing and Commercialization, Clean Economy Markets, and Electricity. Educational panels will explore existing opportunities with key federal agencies, as well as current policy issues including the regulation of carbon and regional innovation.

"The Clean Economy Network is focused on developing a vibrant American clean economy through a collaborative and solutions-oriented approach," said Jeff Anderson, the organization's executive director. "This Summit will facilitate constructive dialogue and forge the strong, non-partisan partnerships between the public and private sectors that will be necessary to transform the vision of a clean economy into reality."

The first day of the Summit will conclude with a Gala Dinner, during which former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, CEO of A123 Systems David Vieau and Verizon will be honored with leadership awards. Additionally, Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) will give a keynote address as part of the awards event.

On Tuesday, the Summit features numerous high profile speakers, including former Senator Byron Dorgan, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality Nancy Sutley, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, Brightsource Energy CEO John Woolard, NRG Energy CEO David Crane, and many others.

Founded in March 2009, the Clean Economy Network Education Fund (CENEF) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Together with its affiliate the Clean Economy Network, CENEF is the country's largest clean energy organization, including 18 chapters and individual members representing thousands of companies and tens of thousands of green jobs. Members are professionals, entrepreneurs, investors and researchers, and are committed to shaping a new economy based on clean technology and innovation. For more information: http://www.cleaneconomysummit2011.com/

SOURCE Clean Economy Network Education Fund