Industry

Congressman Roscoe Bartlett and Dr. Robert Hirsch presented background and lead a discussion about peak oil and its ramifications for liquid fuels that are vital for transportation worldwide and the feedstock for plastics, pharmaceuticals and other essentials. The era of plentiful, low-cost conventional oil is approaching an end because production will soon reach its maximum capacity – a peak. Most experts predict peak within this decade or the next. Peak will impose a sudden limit on the supply of a commodity that is essential to the functioning of the world economy.

Retired Navy Admiral Frank L. (Skip) Bowman, currently the President and CEO of the Nuclear Energy Institute, the policy organization for the U.S. nuclear industry, illustrated the performance and benefits of today’s 103 commercial reactors in the United States; examined the prospect for growth in the nuclear energy sector; and reviewed important used fuel policy issues on the federal and state level. Wall Street, congressional and other decision-maker perspectives regarding new nuclear plant construction were presented while emphasizing the need for expanded U.S.

Amory Lovins' 29th book Winning the Oil Endgame, Innovation for Profits, Jobs and Security offers a strategy for ending US oil dependence, and is applicable worldwide. There are many analyses of the oil problem. Published in Sept 2004, this synthesis is the first roadmap of the oil solution - one led by business for profit.

On 5 February, Justin Mundy presented a Stern Review report.

Farmers are expected to plant 15 percent more corn this year than last in response to increased demand from ethanol production.
As ethanol production booms questions are abound.

    * How many bushels of corn are equal to the energy equivalent of one barrel of oil?
    * How much is the government subsidizing the industry?
    * What do the coproducts of ethanol add to the economy?
    * What will increasing costs of corn do to the cost of ethanol?