http://sev.prnewswire.com/environmental-services/20070531/AQTH07331052007-1.htmlCalCEF to Host Its First Annual Conference Detailing California's Transformation as a Driver of Clean Energy Initiatives
Event Brings Industry Luminaries Together to Discuss the Movement of Energy Innovations into the Broad Marketplace
SAN FRANCISCO, May 31 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Clean Energy Fund (CalCEF) announced today it will host a full-day conference designed to assess California's progress in turning clean energy policy initiatives and technology breakthroughs into market realities. Titled "The New Economy of New Energy -- California's Path to a Clean Energy Future," the conference will take place on Monday, June 18, and consist of sessions comprised of policy, technology and finance experts providing progress reports and detailing specific ways in which public policy and the private market are both working and struggling to bring clean technologies to scale. Keynoting the event will be Dan Reicher, Director of Climate Change and Energy Initiatives at Google.org, and Elon Musk, Chairman of Tesla Motors and Solar City and founder of PayPal.
"Because we are on the cutting edge of all aspects of clean energy development, with the eyes of the world upon us, it is key that California's policy makers, technology innovators and financial backers come together to take a serious look at the progress we are making in reaching our aggressive goals," said Michael R. Peevey, CalCEF Chairman and California Public Utilities Commission President. "Just as important is taking a hard look at the tough road still ahead and engaging in a frank discussion that tackles the challenges we face. In critically assessing both our progress to date and the road ahead, CalCEF can help ensure that California remains the bellwether in this burgeoning and extremely important market."
With its first annual conference CalCEF will examine the state's success in building a vibrant clean energy economy, while discussing major challenges impacting success in each market and technology category. The audience will be relatively small and invite-only, comprised of industry leaders who will be given ample opportunities to join the dialogue.
The full-day event, sponsored in part by PG&E, Nth Power, VantagePoint Venture Partners, DFJ Element, Nixon Peabody LLC and New Resource Bank, and managed by Global Inventures, includes a rich program comprising panels and keynotes examining:
-- The role of high-tech entrepreneurs in building the market for clean
energy
-- Whether existing policy efforts and the surge in private financing have
the clean energy industry positioned for success
-- Challenges and successes from the investor's perspective
-- What it takes to drive clean energy innovations in California
-- Energy efficiency and innovation in transportation technologies
-- How entrepreneurs can partner with regulated corporate entities to
advance clean energy innovation
-- Major challenges California faces in terms of policy and business
climate
-- Economic and employment-related benefits of the clean energy transition
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