Gov. Bob McDonnell of Virginia wants his state to become the energy capital of the East Coast, and he’s laying out his plan today through Thursday at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. Energy entrepreneur T. Boone Pickens will travel to Richmond to deliver the keynote address on Wednesday.
Says Pickens, “I’m looking forward to joining Governor McDonnell in Virginia at the first Governor’s Energy Conference. Governor McDonnell’s leadership on this issue shows that he is committed to taking the necessary steps that will lead toward greater energy security. If we are going to address the environmental and economic crisis associated with our escalating dependence on OPEC oil, we have to get serious about using North American resources in transportation to back out foreign oil, diesel, and gasoline. Gov. McDonnell understands that we have to get serious about our energy challenges, problems, and opportunities in this country. It’s going to take leadership, new thinking, big ideas and serious innovation to achieve greater energy independence and help transition to a more sustainable and economical energy model. Conferences like this one are an important part of that effort, and I’m pleased to be a part of it.”
More than 800 public and private sector leaders will take part in the wide-ranging event, which will focus on how the energy sector operates in the Commonwealth, analyze state and federal regulatory activity, discus alternative energy projects, and outline energy research at the state’s universities.
“There’s no way America can continue to grow at the rates we have grown without a reliable energy supply,” McDonnell said. “Energy demands are going to rise geometrically.”
Learn more about the conference HERE.