Governor Bredesen Addresses Clean-Energy Technology Summit

The Governor’s Summit, an outgrowth of the Governor’s Task Force on Energy Policy, is co-sponsored by Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Tennessee Valley Authority. Bringing together thought leaders in business, government, energy and the environment to develop strategies for making Tennessee a leader in the clean-energy technology sector, the program features more than 30 world-class panelists representing a wide range of businesses, issues and organizations.

 

Last year, global investments in clean-energy tech — everything from energy-efficient lighting to alternative fuels and renewable sources like solar and wind — topped $148 billion, according to research firm New Energy Finance.

 

“The economic downturn notwithstanding, that number will be going up – if not today, then tomorrow,” said Bredesen. “Meanwhile, we’re watching China add more than one coal-fired power plant each week. And other fast-growing nations will be adding energy production capacity as well. So what does all this mean? To me, it means that we’re in an increasingly strong position to make the United States a leader in clean tech development. Some day soon, I’m convinced we’ll be selling the Chinese our cleaner-coal technology. And we’ll be selling other countries our solar panels, wind turbines, alternative fuels and other products.

 

“And while the U.S. is poised to lead the charge globally, I’m convinced Tennessee can be at the vanguard. The same things that make us attractive for general manufacturing and distribution – geography, skilled labor, low cost of doing business – will help open new lines of business in and around the clean energy sector,” Bredesen said.

 

Tuesday’s luncheon Tuesday featured remarks by Bredesen and Baker as well as Volkswagen Group of America CEO Stefan Jacoby. In July, Volkswagen announced plans to build its first U.S. assembly plant in two decades in Chattanooga.

 

For more information: www.tn.gov/energysummit

 

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