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North American Energy Summit
features leaders from three countries;
Results-oriented agenda draws diverse interests
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 3, 2004

Contacts: Karen Deike or Kevin Riordan [phone]

Denver -- The North American Energy Summit to be held April 14 – 16 in Albuquerque, N.M. will feature state, provincial, tribal and national leaders from three countries and involve diverse interests in seeking to develop a secure, affordable and environmentally responsible energy system.
Organizing the event is the Western Governors’ Association, under the leadership of New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, WGA Chairman, and Colorado Gov. Bill Owens, WGA Vice Chairman. Co-sponsors include the U.S. Department of Energy and Council of Energy Resource Tribes. Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) is chairing the host committee and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation is also providing support.

“This will be a results-driven Summit,” said Richardson, WGA Chairman. “Key leaders from the U.S., Canada and Mexico will offer their perspectives on the challenges we face in developing a reliable energy system that protects our environment and is affordable for citizens and businesses. We expect hundreds of Summit participants to roll up their sleeves, work out their differences and make doable recommendations to meet those challenges head on.”

Gov. Owens said, “Our counterparts in Canada and Mexico are as interested as we are in developing integrated, robust energy systems. Our efforts at the Summit should lead to actions that will benefit our citizens, our economies, our energy industries and our environment. I look forward to the discussions and to moving forward on this important initiative.”

Governors and premiers expected to attend and invited speakers include:

Govs. Richardson, Owens, Janet Napolitano (Ariz.), Frank Murkowski (Alaska), Dave Freudenthal (Wyo.), John Hoeven (N.D.), and Mike Rounds (S.D.)
Sen. Pete Domenici, N.M., Chairman of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee; and Sen. Jeff Bingaman, Ranking Minority Member of the energy committee (invited);
Kyle E. McSlarrow, Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy;
Canadian Premiers Ralph Klein, Alberta; Gary Doer, Manitoba; and Joseph L. Handley, Northwest Territories;
Chris Devers, Pauma Band of Mission Indians and Chair, Council of Energy Resource Tribes;
Mexican Governor Enrique Martínez of Coahuila (invited);
John Efford, Minister of Natural Resources Canada (invited);
Felipe Calderón Hinojosa, Secretaría de Energía de Mexico (invited);
Patrick Wood, Chairman, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission;
Mario Molina, Nobel Laureate for his work in atmospheric chemistry; Professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; and
Jeff Sterba, Chairman and CEO, Public Service Company of New Mexico.
Summit attendees participating in breakout sessions will offer recommendations and action items on the following topics: capitalizing on renewable energy resources; improving energy efficiency; determining the future of nuclear energy and fossil fuels; providing a reliable and efficient electricity grid; financing infrastructure and making it more secure; and achieving needed international collaboration.

Also on tap for the Summit is the Energy Futures Expo, which will feature cutting-edge technologies, systems and alternative-fuel vehicles that are advancing efforts to achieve a secure and affordable energy future. The Expo will be open to the public, educators and children at specific times during the Summit.

Registered attendees may also attend Pre-Summit activities, including a workshop entitled, Financing the Future of Energy, co-sponsored by Nth Power and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich and Rosati. Gov. Richardson and Nancy Floyd, Managing Director of Nth Power, will deliver keynote addresses. Workshop attendees will participate in separate discussion groups to formulate actionable recommendations for promoting venture capital investment in clean energy companies and clean energy project finance.

Pre-Summit tours are also being offered. They include: solar facilities at Sandia National Laboratories; the Lee Ranch coal mine and the Escalante coal-fired power plant; the New Mexico Wind Energy Center; and a combined trip to Santa Fe and the world-class archaeological site at Bandelier National Monument.

The Summit is expected to be well attended and interested individuals should register by early March to ensure their participation and hotel accommodations. The Summit agenda, a list of panelists for each breakout session, and online registration for the Summit and Pre-Summit events can be found on the Web at www.westgov.org.


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The Western Governors' Association is an independent, nonprofit organization representing the governors of 18 states and three U.S.-flag islands in the Pacific. Through their Association, the governors identify and address key policy and governance issues in natural resources, the environment, human services, economic development, international relations and public management.