Patrick Sheehan, director of Florida's Office of Energy, believes all of Florida will benefit from the 2012 Florida Energy Summit, convening Aug. 15 in Orlando.
"We want to use this opportunity to talk to the broad range of stakeholders in Florida's energy spectrum and reflect on what we've accomplished," Sheehan told Sunshine State News.
This year, he said, Florida lawmakers passed modest but groundbreaking energy legislation in HD 7117, the first statewide energy policy in four years. "The Energy Summit is going to be our chance in the energy office to listen.
"The Energy Summit is going to give us a terrific chance to hear from state-level policymakers on what's next for Florida from their point of view. Local communities will be represented, and they're going to let us know what they're doing to prepare for alternative transportation fuels and technologies."
Sheehan said he is heartened by the rate at which participants are signing up to be part of the two-and-a-half-day event. "We have something like 40 speakers, plus (Agriculture and Consumer Services) Commissioner (Adam) Putnam. And more and more people are signing up every day."
By Friday more than 500 had signed up to attend the event at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort. "We're having to move into larger rooms to accommodate our larger size this year," he said.
What elevates the 2012 summit, said Sheehan, is that this year "we are partnering with this state's world-class university system to spotlight innovative research efforts from some of the best and brightest minds in Florida. It's very exciting."
The Florida Energy Systems Consortium will have on display the latest emerging technologies, which state officials believe will have an impact on future energy production.
Sheehan emphasized that the 2012 Energy Summit program will concentrate on realistic steps Floridians can take now to cut their energy costs and increase their comfort. He said homeowners, businesses, local governments and energy producers will have an opportunity to learn and share ideas.
"I really do believe," he said, "that this year we're all about listening to each other. We need to see what we accomplished in this energy legislation from our stakeholders' points of view, and where we go from here."
Among the conference's anticipated highlights, apart from Putnam's remarks, are these:
- The keynote address by John Hofmeister, who speaks broadly, from a nonpartisan perspective. He is the retired president of Shell Oil Co., founder and head of Citizens for Affordable Energy, member of the U.S. Department of Energy's Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technical Advisory Committee and fellow of the National Academy of Human Resources.
- Sheehan's panel, Florida Energy Policy -- Implementing HB 7117: An explanation and discussion of the bill thatreinstates tax incentives for the production of renewable energy, reduces burdens on businesses, promotes energy efficiency and repeals the renewable portfolio standard mandate. State policy advisers will discuss how to implement the recently passed Florida energy bill and what the bill means to Florida's economy.Panel includes Reps.Scott Plakon and Alan Williams, Florida House of Representatives;Ronald Bris chairman, Florida Public Service Commission; andJohn Urbanchuk, technical director of environmental economics, Cardno Entrix.
- Feedstocks Nourish Rural Communities: Moderator, Joseph Joyce, executive associate vice president for agriculture and natural resources, UF. With a year-round growing season, Florida has the potential to be a leader in the production of energy from crops and timber. Feedstocks not only provide renewable energy, but also allow Florida farmers to diversify their income and bring economic opportunity to Florida's rural communities. Speakers: Frankie Hall, director, Florida Farm Bureau; Jan Henderson, chief financial officer, Alliance Dairies; Dan Nolan, author, The DoD Energy Blog, CEO Sabot 6 Inc.
- Running on Empty has a New Meaning: Moderator, Christine Heshmati, coordinator, Florida Gold Coast Clean Cities Coalition, South Florida Regional Planning Council. Some Floridians are avoiding the gas pump altogether and turning to alternative transportation fuels. An exploration of the alternative energy sources and technologies being used to power vehicles around Florida. Jennifer Szaro, Renewable Energy manager, Orlando Utilities Commission; Michael Taylor, director of Autogas Business Development, National Propane Education and Research Council; Katie Dugan, director, Fleet Operations,AT&T Services; Mike Tomberlin, chief executive officer, Tomberlin Automotive Group.
- Florida's Energy Outlook: Moderator, Tim Anderson, University of Florida, director, Florida Energy Systems Consortium. Florida's supply and demand of electrical fuels and technologies have changed dramatically over the past decade. What does the next decade have in store? Speakers: Todd Onderdonk, senior energy adviser, corporate strategic planning, ExxonMobil; Greg Ramon, director, regulatory policy and compliance, Tampa Electric Co.; Jack Boatman, vice president marketing, Florida Gas Transmission Co.; Terry Deason, former Public Service Commission chairman, special consultant, Radley Thomas Yon & Clark PA.
- From the Research Labs of Florida's World-Class Universities: Moderator, Andrew P. Corty, president and publisher, Florida Trend Magazine. The technologies emerging from Florida's universities today have the potential to change the way energy is created, used and stored tomorrow. Speakers: David Van Winkle, professor of physics, Florida State University; James Klausner, professor, University of Florida; John and Naida Ramil, professor, co-director, Clean Energy Research Center, editor-in-chief, Solar Energy Journal, editor-in-chief, Progress in Solar Energy, University of South Florida; Jim Fletcher, assistant professor, University of North Florida; Jim Zheng, professor, Florida State University.
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Sunshine State News is working to live-stream some of the Florida Energy Summit's sessions. Watch for more details closer to the event.
Reach Nancy Smith at nsmith@sunshinestatenews.com or (850) 727-0859.
