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INL leaders speak at Idaho's climate forum

Rogers told several hundred students, faculty and community leaders interested in climate change issues that it was important to consider carbon management, future energy demand, clean energy technologies and how to "get the right type of energy to the right place at the right time."

Moscow, Idaho - INL's J.W. "Bill" Rogers Jr. and Steven Aumeier joined Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter and other national speakers on key climate issues at the University of Idaho's inaugural President's Sustainability Symposium on Oct 1 and 2.

UI President Timothy White noted that the symposium, titled "Carbon, Climate and Our Environment: Partnerships for Success," demonstrates the university's leading role in advancing sustainability initiatives. He said the group discussed "how government, business, nonprofit, higher education and other sectors can work together to find solutions to climate problems stemming from greenhouse gas emissions and other causes of climate change."

Rogers, INL's associate laboratory director for Energy and Environment, praised the forum, noting, "President White's first symposium on sustainability offered exceptional speakers who spoke knowledgeably about energy needs, climate impact and the challenges immediately confronting America and the world. It was an excellent symposium and we are pleased that INL was invited to participate."

Following a special address to the session on carbon management, future energy needs, conservation and clean energy technnologies, Aumeier addressed questions from the several hundred participants at the symposium on climate and energy issues.

The two-day event was held at the university's Student Union Ballroom in Moscow. A thousand or more students, community leaders and educators attended the symposium, which was free and open to the public. Rogers and Aumeier spoke on the importance of carbon management, broadly construed, while addressing future needs for clean energy. This includes a portfolio of energy options to conserve carbon and get the right type of energy to the right place at the right time.

Aumeier, INL's director for Energy Systems and Technologies, commented that "we have tremendous challenges in researching and developing technologies on most effectively managing carbon, controlling greenhouse gas emissions, and producing and processing more energy. There is an ever-accelerating growth in demand for energy around the world and all of society must grapple with how to meet those needs in responsible ways."

"Reducing carbon in the atmosphere will not be easy or inexpensive, but it is necessary," said White. "Everyone needs to better understand the forces that are at play so that, as a global society, we can craft efficient and feasible solutions to this problem. It will take a cooperative effort among all sectors to identify an economical, responsible and effective response to the factors contributing to climate change."

More information on the symposium is available at www.uidaho.edu.

Featured Speakers

C.L. "Butch" Otter, governor of Idaho, "The State of Idaho and Solutions to Green House Gas Emissions."

Michael C. McCracken, chief scientist for climate change programs, Climate Institute, "The Science of Carbon, Greenhouse Gases and Climate Change."

Richard Sandor, chairman and chief executive officer, Chicago Climate Exchange, "Private Sector Perspective and Market Strategies."

Panelists included:

Peter McGrail, laboratory fellow, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, "Carbon Sequestration: Practices, Monitoring and Verification."

J.W. Rogers Jr., associate laboratory director, Idaho National Laboratory, and Steven Aumeier, director, Energy Systems and Technologies Division, Idaho National Laboratory, "Alternative Energies Portfolio: Realities and Catalysts for Development."

Ralph Cavanagh, director, Energy Program, Natural Resources Defense Council, and John R. 'Ric' Gale, vice president of regulatory affairs, Idaho Power, "The Role of Promoting Energy Efficiency and Reduced Carbon Emissions."

Anthony Cortese, president, Second Nature, and co-director, American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment.