Recent Events

August 2011
Half of U.S. households spent 20 percent or more of their after-tax incomes on energy in 2008, while poor and working families – those with incomes less than $30,000 - spent nearly one-quarter of their after-tax income on energy in 2008. States continue to seek ways to diversify their energy portfolios, and studies suggest that the use of clean coal and shale as part of that portfolio is one way to help maintain a lower cost of energy to American families. Women In Government featured this topic at the Third Annual Energy Summit by featuring Marty Irwin as a speaker. Marty Irwin was appointed by Indiana’s Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman as director of Indiana’s Center for Coal Technology Research (CCTR), located at Purdue’s Energy Center, Discovery Park in 2006. Mr. Irwin is responsible for prioritizing coal research projects in the State of Indiana and, in consultation with the CCTR Advisory Panel, allocates appropriate levels of research funding. Mr. Irwin has given testimony before Congressional and state legislative committees. He has a broad background in economics, government, energy planning, logistics, and program management. Mr. Irwin discussed in his presentation the waste of coal. If it is classified as “hazardous” it will no longer be able to be used as parts of roads, dry wall, and various other materials. In one lifetime, if using only coal for their power, one individual can have up to a full ton of waste. However, that waste is used in new, recycled waste products. The EPA has made regulations based on their judgment of what CO2 levels should be, not necessarily scientific research. For more information about this presentation, please view it here.

July 2011
JoAnne Rau the Director of Environmental and Safety Management at the Dayton Power & Light Company spoke about energy and the regulation of coal at Women In Government's 18th Annual Midwestern Regional Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Ms. Rau discussed how the United States EPA air pollution control regulations will be implemented in 2012 and could force many power plant owners to consider switching from coal to natural gas in order to reduce conventional air pollutants including NOx, SO2, and mercury. She addressed the practical issues and challenges for Midwestern electric utilities in switching from coal to gas. Her presentation is available here.
 

June 2011
Women In Government featured energy as a topic at its 14th Annual Western Regional Conference, held in Denver, Colorado on June 16-18, 2011. One of the energy topics included was an update on coal mining issues and policies. Marty Irwin the Director from the Center for Coal Technology Research at the Purdue University Energy Centerspoke on how states can diversify their energy portfolios to include coal. Half of United States households paid 20 percent or more of their after-tax incomes on energy in 2008, while poor and working families – those with incomes less than $30,000 - paid nearly one-quarter of their after-tax income on energy in 2008. States continue to seek ways to diversify their energy portfolios, and studies suggest that the use of clean coal and shale as part of that portfolio is one way to help maintain the cost of energy to American families. Mr. Irwin's presentation is available here.