Conference focuses on importance of energy

By: Lisa O'donnell | JOURNAL REPORTER
Published: February 08, 2010

Wake Forest University Professor James Curran said he thinks that energy is the most important issue the United States faces in the next 50 years.

By the end of the week, he hopes more people in Winston-Salem will better understand the issues at stake if the world continues to depend on oil.

Curran is a professor of biology at Wake and the organizer of a two-day conference about the future of energy. "Energizing the Future" will be Wednesday and Thursday on the Wake campus. Most of the sessions will be at Brendle Recital Hall.

Keynote speaker Thomas Friedman will talk at Wait Chapel on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

Friedman is a New York Times columnist whose book Hot, Flat and Crowded examines energy and climate issues.

"Energy is absolutely critical in everything we do. We get it from places that aren't happy with us and we're not always happy with them," Curran said. "There's a number of political threats and just plain physical threats to what is vital to our survival."

The conference was a joint idea between students and faculty, Curran said.

It will include discussions with economists, lawyers, scientists and entrepreneurs who have developed ways to deliver clean energy.

Among those expected to attend are: James Rogers, the chief executive of Duke Energy; Steven Burke, the chief executive of N.C. Biofuels Center; and Dan Besse, a member of the Winston-Salem City Council.

Curran said he hopes that people will share concrete ideas about how to make energy technology as lucrative and innovative as information technology. Creating such a climate will involve all sorts of parties.

"My view is that when you have that climate that enables companies to develop and eventually succeed, then you get competition, and then the really good ideas come through," he said. "I'd like America to be at the front of that."

The conference is free to the public. Registration is not required but is encouraged.

For a complete schedule, visit www.energy2010.wfu.edu/schedule/.

lodonnell@wsjournal.com

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