Green Stimulus

The United States is in the process of making an unprecedented investment in clean, efficient and renewable energy technology and infrastructure through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).  This investment, up to $80 billion by some estimates, is perhaps this Administration’s strongest action to date to show its support for action to address our nation’s economic, energy security, and climate change concerns.  The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) was entrusted to execute nearly $43 billion in loan guarantees, grants, and tax incentives to stimulate U.S. economic recovery and jumpstart the transition to a more secure, low carbon future.  February 17, 2010 marks the one-year anniversary of ARRA.

To highlight this occasion, and as part of our series focusing on energy and climate strategies in a post-Copenhagen environment, the CSIS Energy and National Security Program hosted a session to review progress made in executing the ARRA funds entrusted to DOE, the early impacts of that spending, and the broader strategy for expanding clean energy growth in the United States. A panel of experts discussed the success of stimulus spending in several countries and the strategies for continuing momentum behind clean energy investment.

Agenda

9:30     Welcome and Introduction
Frank Verrastro, Senior Vice President and Director, Energy and National Security Program, CSIS

9:35     Keynote Remarks
David Sandalow, Assistant Secretary for Policy and International Affairs, U.S. Department of Energy

10:20   Panel Discussion
Moderator: Sarah Ladislaw, Senior Fellow, Energy and National Security Program, CSIS

Nick Robins, Head of Climate Change Centre, HSBC
Ethan Zindler, Head of North American Research, Bloomberg New Energy Finance
Julian Wong, Senior Policy Analyst, Energy and Climate, Center for American Progress
Kevin Book, Managing Director Research, Clearview Energy Partners, LLC