AABE 33rd National Conference a Very Big Success

The American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) hosted its 33rd annual conference May 18-21 in Columbus, Ohio. The conference attracted energy professionals from around the country and from every sector of the energy industry. The conference promotes professional development, sharing industry information, and networking opportunities. The conference featured chief executives from a number of the nation’s largest energy companies, offered sessions for entrepreneurs and featured smart grid technology, among many other exciting topics.

This year’s theme, “People, Profit, Planet: An Inclusive Approach to a Bright, Reliable Energy Future,” examined how the industry must balance the needs of consumers and the environment in the emerging green economy. AAEA President Norris McDonald was a panelist at the conference. The panel title was "Environmental Compliance and Costs." The session evaluated the realized costs incurred by the private sector in complying with federal environmental regulation. The discussion covered the pros and cons of existing approaches to compliance and cost estimation. Panelists outlined new methodologies (either streamlined or more comprehensive) and discussed potential impacts associated with using these approaches in practice. McDonald is pictured below with AABE President & CEO Frank Stewart and AABE Chairwoman Carolyn Green.

Frank Stewart, Carolyn Green, Norris McDonald

Tuesday, May 18: Community Outreach Project: Living Well in Linden. Leaving the Lights on in Linden

Wednesday, May 19: Welcome by Columbus, Ohio Mayor Michael B. Coleman, Speaker: AABE Chairman of the Board Carolyn Green

The Green Movement Panel: Solutions for the New Green Economy:Where Do You Fit In?

Research & Development Opportunities, Operational Compliance, Introduction to the Energy Industry, Current Energy Markets and Trends

Thursday, May 20: Enviornmental Compliance and Costs, U.S. and International Climate Change Strategies, Affordability Concerns for Vulnerable Communities, Green Living: Implementing Energy Efficiency and Sustainability, Chief Executive Rountable, Legislative Crossfire Panel, The Best Practices in Leadership Development: Developing Players in Winners, Professional Advocacy: When Technical Skills, Experience and Knowledge is Not Enough, Entrepreneurs Forum: change You Can Profit From, Outlook for Oil, Natural Gas and Alternative Fuels, Electric Power Generation and Renewables.

Friday, May 21: Young Professionals Forum, From Educating to Recruiting: A Comprehensive Approach to Creating Talent Pipelines, Green Energy Job Opportunities, Rate Case and Investment Recovery, Capital Financing for Energy Related Businesses, Community Outreach Workshop, Green Energy: Strategies, Solutions and Investment Opportunities Workshop, Smart Grid: What Does It Mean to Me?, Pre-Gala Reception and Walking the Green Carpet .

Frank Stewart, FERC Commissioner Philip Moeller, Norris McDonald

Sponsors: AABE Arkansas Chapter, AABE Birmingham Chapter, AABE Indiana Chapter, AABE Kansas Missouri Chapter, Ameren, American Electric Power, Atlantic Gas Light, Battelle, Bob Harris Jr. Photography, Chevron, Consolidated Edison, Consumers Energy, Dayton Power & Light, Duke Energy, Edison Electric Institute, El Paso Corporation, enerGreen Capital Management LLC, Entergy New Orleans, FPL Group, Fresh French Floral Boutique, GE Energy, Kansas City Power & Light, Limited Brands, Midwest ISO, National Grid, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Nicor, NiSource, Ohio Health, Peabody Energy, Pepco, Progress Energy, Public Service Electric and Gas, Southern California Edison, Southern Company, Trice Construction Company