An .mp3 of the event is available for download here.

Rapid expansion and utilization of renewable energy technologies are at the core of the administration’s priorities and a critical “game changer” for renewables will be the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). ARRA committed $400 million for geothermal technologies, dwarfing previous government commitments. Geothermal energy is baseload and renewable, with a small footprint and an enormous resource potential. Increased funding, political support, and rising concerns regarding climate change have created the perfect storm for exponentially deploying geothermal energy.

Energy issues and Catastrophic Climate Change are a major focus for the incoming Obama Administration and many in the newly sworn in 111th Congress. What paths might the Administration and Congress take in these arenas? What might be the implications for the Department of Defense and the Federal Government in the near and long term? Where and how can collaboration with business, academia, media & NGOs help focus efforts for the common good?

On November 10, the Energy Conversation hosted Michael Granoff, Head of Oil Independence Policies at the revolutionary transportation company Better Place (http://www.betterplace.com). Better Place is an international company based in Israel that takes a novel approach to transportation without oil. Since its launch in 2007, Better Place has received over $200M in private financing, altered the tax law in Israel to support its business model and aligned with Renault and Nissan to manufacture its vehicles.