Alliance to Save Energy Opens Inaugural Energy Efficiency Global Forum to Advance Worldwide Cooperation on Vital Energy Issues | Alliance to Save Energy

Alliance to Save Energy Opens Inaugural Energy Efficiency Global Forum to Advance Worldwide Cooperation on Vital Energy Issues

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Alliance to Save Energy Opens Inaugural Energy Efficiency Global Forum to Advance Worldwide Cooperation on Vital Energy Issues

Release Date: Friday, November 9, 2007

Washington D.C., November 9, 2007 – The Energy Efficiency Global Forum & Exposition (EE Global) hosted by the Alliance to Save Energy – a four-day, first-of-its-kind comprehensive energy-efficiency forum in the nation’s capital – is attracting industry professionals, policymakers, and academics to forge partnerships and develop “best practices,” policies, and strategies to respond to the climate, national security, and economic implications of the increasing global demand for energy.

EE Global opens Sunday, November 11, with an “Energy-Efficiency World’s Fair”-style Public Day designed to help consumers learn how to lower their home and vehicle energy bills, reduce their individual “carbon footprints,” and protect the environment.

The event also features four plenary sessions with high-level international speakers plus 36 “Executive Dialogue Sessions” with nearly 200 executive-level speakers addressing policy, power generation, market drivers, buildings, transportation, industry, and finance. In addition, a sold-out Exposition Hall showcases more than 75 exhibitors, including international appliance and product manufacturers, government agencies, utilities, associations, national laboratories, and more.

Alliance President Kateri Callahan said, “EE Global was established to fill a void by creating a central gathering for all of the world’s industries, government officials, academicians, and others working on energy-efficiency products, policies, studies, and other initiatives.”

She added, “By opening with Public Day, we are demonstrating that consumers represent a vital ‘weapon’ in the fight against global warming and a key part of the solution for addressing the significant energy challenges our nation and world face today. Consumers at Public Day can learn valuable tools for becoming part of that solution, along with the opportunity to have experts analyze their home energy bills, attend educational seminars, win energy-efficiency prizes, and more.”

The last two days of the conference focus on the international partnerships necessary to advance energy efficiency worldwide for a cleaner environment, a healthier economy, and greater energy security. More than 700 exhibitors, speakers, attendees, and media are on hand, with 32 countries represented.

“As the world’s population grows rapidly, technology is bringing people and markets together in unprecedented ways. This conference is a great opportunity to spread knowledge about energy efficient solutions that will help address energy challenges in the United States and worldwide,” said U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor, honorary chair of the Alliance Board, co-chair of the EE Global International Steering Committee, and a speaker at the conference’s closing plenary session.

Added Jeff Fettig, chairman and CEO of Whirlpool Corporation, co-chair of the EE Global International Steering Committee, and a speaker at the opening plenary session: “We believe the global business community has an opportunity to use energy efficiency as a key to sustainable energy for the 21st century. Our goal in creating EE Global was to provide participants with the information, insights, and contacts – and to inspire the commitments – that will ensure that the nations of the world aggressively focus on energy efficiency as the cheapest, quickest and cleanest resource for meeting the world’s growing demand for energy.”

EE Global is both demonstrating today’s achievements in energy efficiency and highlighting the plans and commitments needed for a sustainable energy future.

“Our vision with EE Global is to bring together the worldwide community to benchmark our accomplishments to date in energy efficiency and to learn how and where we can grow those accomplishments,” noted Tom Dreessen, president and CEO of EPS Capital Corp. and Alliance International Committee chair. “This marks the start of what we hope becomes an important global journey – with the next EE Global scheduled for Brussels, Belgium, in December 2008.”

Following is the plenary session schedule for EE Global 2007:

Kick-Off Plenary: Governments in Action: A Conversation on Driving Energy Efficiency Through Public Policy and Programs, Monday, Nov. 12 from 4 pm to 6 pm

  • Master of Ceremonies: Dr. Richard Bradley, head of Energy Efficiency and Environment Division, International Energy Agency
  • Speakers: Lena Ek, member of European Parliament (Sweden); Tanja Gönner, environmental minister, Federal State of Baden-Württemberg; Jackie Pfannenstiel, chair, California Energy Commission; Long Beach, Calif. Mayor Bob Foster

Opening Plenary: The World’s Business: Driving Energy Efficiency in All Sectors of the Global Economy, Tuesday, Nov 13 from 8:30 am to 10:30 am

  • Master of Ceremonies: Kateri Callahan, president, Alliance to Save Energy
  • Call to Order and Conference Welcome: Tom Dreessen, president and CEO, EPS Capital Corp., and Alliance International Committee chair
  • Speakers: Deputy Secretary of Energy Clay Sell (plus recorded introduction from Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman); K.R. (Kaj) den Daas, Chairman Philips Lighting North America and CEO BU Lamps North America, executive vice president of Philips Lighting B.V.; Jeff Fettig, chairman and CEO, Whirlpool Corporation; Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty; R.K. Stewart, president of the American Institute of Architects

Plenary Luncheon: Energy Efficiency Opportunities in a Carbon Constrained World, Wednesday, Nov 14 from 12:15 pm to 1:45 pm

  • Speakers: Timothy E. Wirth, President, United Nations Foundation; U.S. Rep. Jim Inslee (D-WA)

Closing Plenary: Building a Better Tomorrow with Energy Efficiency, Wednesday, Nov. 14 from 3:30 pm to 5 pm

  • Speakers: James R. Leape, director general, World Wildlife Fund International; U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor; James Rogers, chairman, president and CEO, Duke Energy

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