Cuts Threaten Distributed Energy Program: Local Solutions for a National Crisis

On March 9, 2006, the Environmental and Energy Study Institute held a breakfast briefing co-sponsored with the Distributed Energy Caucus and the Distributed Energy Coalition on America's energy infrastructure. Caterpillar, Cummins Inc., and Waukesha provided the Continental breakfast. Congress recognized that the development and deployment of Distributed Energy (DE) systems represent a key element of a sensible response to this national crisis. A sustained commitment from policymakers is needed to follow through on the promise that DE offers to deliver local solutions. The breakfast briefing discussed the challenges, the opportunities and the need for Congressional action. Briefing speakers include:

Rep. Lee Terry (R-NE), Co-Chair, Distributed Energy Caucus
Rep. Mike Doyle (D-PA), Co-Chair, Distributed Energy Caucus
Richard Brent, Solar Turbines
John Jimison, U.S. Combined Heat and Power Association
Thomas Rosfjord, UTC Power
Catherine Van Way, Cummins Inc.
 

The reliability and security of the Nation’s energy infrastructure approaches a crisis situation. Fossil fuels, globally traded commodities, face ever increasing global demand. Economic development outpaces the expansion of electricity supply in some areas of the country while other regions face constraints on the ability to deliver power where and when it’s needed. Black-outs in the Great Lakes and Northeast, hurricanes Katrina and Rita striking the Gulf Coast, and the possibility of terrorist attacks on central station power plants and the transmission and distribution network underscore the vulnerabilities of our grid.