Business Partnership to Kick-Off National Clean Energy Dialogue

June 8, 2011

The Courier News

Rich Reitman

The Somerset County Business Partnership, in conjunction with the United States Chamber of Commerce, will hold the first event in a national series of open discussions on energy policy on Tuesday, June 21, 2001 from 8:00 A.M. to 12:00 Noon.

Implementing Clean Energy Initiatives A National Dialogue will be held at the offices of MX Solar, 2301 Cottontail Lane in Somerset, New Jersey and will focus on clean energy as an element the help determine the overall national energy policy in the upcoming decades. Further, New Jerseys clean energy policies will be discussed as an element that will contribute to the states competitive position in the global marketplace.

The event will serve as the kick-off of a nation-wide discussion on the implementation of clean energy programs with focus on local, state, and federal permitting obstacles.

Participants include Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula (D-17) and opening keynote speaker William L. Kovacs, Senior Vice-President of the US Chamber of Commerce who will address Federal Energy Policy- Whats Needed and Why.

A Roundtable Discussion on Clean Energy Policy in NJ will include Ralph LaRossa, President and COO of PSE&G; Lyle K. Rawlings, P.E., President and CEO, Advanced Solar Products. Moderator for the discussion will be Wayne DeFeo of DeFeo Associates, environmental consultants specialize in sustainability, LEED Green Building practices, energy conservation, recycling and solid waste.

Closing keynote speaker will be the Honorable Robert Martin, Commissioner, NJ Department of Environmental Protection who will discuss the New Jersey Energy Master Plan.

Fee for the Summit is $40 for pre-registered Business Partnership members and $100 for non-members. Registration is available at http://events.scbp.org or by calling 908-218-4300.

Clean energy is often used as a justification for wasted energy. This conference will begin a serious dialogue on clean energy as a sustainable component for a comprehensive energy solution that will help Somerset County businesses remain competitive, commented DeFeo.

It is estimated that there are $3 trillion of clean energy projects in various stages of planning that are being held up by permitting issues, commented Pete Wright, Director of Membership Services for the Somerset County Business Partnership. The issue is of critical importance to both the economy and the environment. This dialogue will bring the necessary attention to the permitting process at all levels so that we may begin to move forward before its too late.

Implementing Clean Energy Initiatives A National Dialogue is the second time the Business Partnership has kicked off a national dialogue in cooperation with the US Chamber, having held the Water Infrastructure Summit in November of 2010.

MX Solar USA is a major international producer of photovoltaic modules headquartered in a 138,000 square foot facility with 120 employees in Somerset, New Jersey. In addition to manufacturing, MX Solar offers training for solar industry professionals, including developers and installers.

Signature Partner for the forum is Sun Farm Systems; Corporate Parttner is Advanced Solar Products; and Patron Partner is Energiebau.

ISSUE BACKGROUNDER

Project No Project, a groundbreaking US Chamber initiative that highlights the damaging impact of stalled clean energy projects on jobs, infrastructure, and economic prosperity. Project No Project identifies hundreds of clean energy projects that, if permitted to move forward, could produce hundreds of billions of dollars in short-term economic value and create roughly 1 million jobs annually.

The Chambers Energy Reality Tour has visited 30 states to discuss the state of American energy. To date, the tour has reached more than 15,000 business and community leaders. In addition, the Chamber partners with state and local chambers to hold events to identify issues and barriers to developing and deploying clean energy technology.

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