Energy and Climate Change in the Midwest: Creating Opportunities in the New Economy

October 16, 2009October 17, 2009
8:00 AM
University of Iowa Athletic Club Iowa City, Iowa

This two-day symposium provided a forum for dialogue about new energy opportunities being created in response to the growing challenge of climate change. The event featured national experts from an array of backgrounds including engineers, industry representatives, policymakers, economists, and agriculture experts. Topics covered included the state of the science, economic impacts, renewable energy, energy efficiency, agricultural issues, and policy responses at the local, state, and federal levels.

 

 

Schedule

October 16, 2009

Welcome and Introductions
Director Public Policy Center Preventive and Community Dentistry University of Iowa
President University of Iowa
Panel 1: Climate Change and Energy in the Midwest: An Overview
Moderator
Robert and Virginia Wheeler Faculty Fellow of Engineering Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering University of Iowa
Professor Emeritus Geological and Atmospheric Sciences Department, Iowa State University
Professor Emeritus Agronomy Department, Iowa State University
Executive Director of Studies The Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Lunch and Keynote Speaker
Panel 3: Energy Efficiency and the Midwest
Moderator
Assistant Professor Chemical and Biochemicall Engineering Assistant Research Engineer, IIHR Hydroscience and Engineering University of Iowa
Director The Iowa Energy Center
Attorney Office of Consumer Advocate
Vice President of Regulatory Relations and Energy Efficiency MidAmerican Energy Company
Panel 4: Agriculture and Energy Issues
Moderator
Director Center for Energy & Environmental Education, University of Northern Iowa
Director of Research and Commodity Services Iowa Farm Bureau Chief Science Officer, AgraGate Climate Credits Corporation
Resident Fellow Institute on the Environment University of Minnesota
Associate Scientist Department of Economics Iowa State University
First day wrap-up

October 17, 2009

Morning Comments
Director Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research, University of Iowa EPSCoR proposal
Energy Education and Outreach Coordinator Center for Energy and Environmental Education (CEEE), College of Natural Sciences (CNS), University of Northern Iowa Iowa Energy Poll
Panel 5: State-level Policy Responses
Moderator
Director Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research, University of Iowa EPSCoR proposal
Renewable Energy Planner Iowa Office of Energy Independence
Minnesota State Senator
Special Projects Manager Iowa Department of Economic Development
Iowa State Senator
Panel 6: Local-level Policy Responses
State Building Code Commissioner Iowa Department of Public Safety
Chair of Industrial Technology Director, Green Building Institute Iowa Central Community College
CEO Innovative Power Systems
Lunch--Iowa Legislative Panel
Iowa State Senator
Iowa State Senator
Iowa State Representative
Iowa State Representative
Panel 7: Federal-level Policy Responses
Moderator
Professor of Law & International Studies Senior Associate to the President University of Iowa
Professor of Law & International Studies Senior Associate to the President University of Iowa
U.S. Congressman
Clinical Professor Occupational and Environmental Health University of Iowa
President & CEO MidAmerican Energy Company
Second Day Wrap-up

October 16, 2010

Panel 2: Renewable Energy and the Midwest
Moderator
Professor of Chemistry University of Iowa
Executive Vice President and Provost University of Iowa
Group Manager - State Local & Tribal Initiatives National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
Chair Iowa Utilities Board
Anson Marston Distinguished Professor Gary and Donna Hoover Chair in Mechanical Engineering Iowa State University

Partners

Co-Sponsors

  • Iowa Department of Economic Development
  • Iowa Department of Natural Resources
  • Iowa Department of Public Health   
  • Iowa Energy Center 
  • Iowa Environmental Council
  • Iowa EPSCoR
  • Iowa Interfaith Power & Light
  • Iowa League of Cities
  • Iowa Municipal Utility Association
  • Iowa Office of Consumer Advocate
  • Iowa Office of Energy Independence
  • Iowa Policy Project
  • Iowa State Association of Counties 
  • Iowa State University Climate Science Initiative 
  • Iowa State University Extension
  • Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture
  • UNI Center for Energy and Environmental Education
The Forkenbrock Series provides a forum for dialogue about policy areas from applied, academic, and interdisciplinary perspectives. The series was established in honor of David Forkenbrock, a nationally recognized transportation researcher. Dr. Forkenbrock established the Public Policy Center at the University of Iowa in 1987 and directed the Center until 2007. His vision was to enable public and private sector decision makers to work with faculty, staff, and student researchers to explore solutions to complex problems related to the public interest.
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact Dragana Petic at dragana-petic@uiowa.edu.