The Environmental and Energy Management program co-sponsored, with the GW School of Business and other co-sponsors, the student-organized “Business Response 3.0 Conference,” held in the Jack Morton Auditorium on February 24, 2012. The event explored how forward thinking businesses can seize market opportunities for clean technologies. Panelists discussed a wide array of clean energy topics, including energy demand growth and future energy profiles, the role of public policy in the production and consumption of energy, and current and future energy investment trends.
Speakers at the event included:
- Michael P. Kaglan, President, Retail Power, Constellation Energy Group, Inc.
- Michael Ware, Founder, Advance Capital Markets
- Chris Corcoran, Policy and Partnership Team, Opower
- Mary Wolter Glass, President and Chair, Mexel USA
- Alan Hegburg, Senior Fellow, Energy and National Security Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies
- Margaret Henry, Director, Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility, Sodexo
- Davor D. Kapelina, President and CEO, AtSite
- Chris Lloyd, Executive Director, Public Policy and Corporate Responsibility, Verizon
- Peter Molinaro, Vice President, Federal and State Government Affairs, Dow Chemical Company
- Bo Poats, Executive Vice President, Pace Global
Speakers discussed energy demand growth and our future energy profile, the role of public policy in the production and consumption of energy and current and future energy investment trends. As the future energy profile develops, businesses could face higher costs and more risk associated with increasing supply uncertainty. Therefore, one goal of the conference was to inspire the business leaders of tomorrow to think about ways that they can drive tomorrow’s energy strategies, and use the power of business to create lasting social and environmental good.
As a result of myriad uncertainties surrounding energy sources, energy management will become an increasingly important strategic arena. Across industries, businesses will have the opportunity to build competitive advantage through efficient management of energy costs.
The role of public policy in the production and consumption of energy is a major challenge facing governments, private institutions, and consumers. Laws, regulations, and subsidies have the power to dictate how energy sources are priced, what the development costs are, and how to fund the necessary infrastructure. With energy demands predicted to increase 50% from 2009 to 2035, public and private sector organizations are focusing more and more attention towards feasible energy investments. For example, in 2010, renewable energy investments totaled $210 billion, a 540% increase since 2004.