The "Next Generation Energy Forum," hosted by Atlantic Magazine, examined the status of wind energy and biofuels and the role played by government and the private sector in the success or failure of clean energy in the U.S.
Speaking about Colorado's green energy policies, Gov. John Hickenlooper advocated the combined use of abundant natural gas with wind and solar power supplies. He also defended hydrofracking as a means of capturing natural gas, declaring that the technique has not polluted any of the state's water supplies.
Despite the high potential wind power offers as an energy source, the wind industry in the U.S. is declining. A panel of energy technologists and financiers discussed the two biggest obstacles to the success of America's wind industry: uncertainty about government support through soon-to-expire production tax credits and the abundance of low-cost natural gas.
Carol Browner, former head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), outlined developments in the latest international climate talks and efforts the Obama Administration has taken to go above Congress.
A panel of government and private sector biofuels specialists looked at efforts to make ethanol and plant-based fuels competitive with petroleum and diesel fuels.
Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman discussed the Obama administration's agenda for renewable energy.