GOVERNING Summit on Sustainability - 2011

GOVERNING Sustainability Summit Playlist – Earth’s 100 Favorite Songs
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TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 2011

8:30 am – 9:00 am
Registration and Welcome Breakfast

9:00 am – 9:20 am
Opening Comments and Introductions

Paul Taylor, Editor at Large, GOVERNING

9:20 am – 10:00 am
Sustainability and Leadership

Robert D. Yaro, President, Regional Plan Association

10:00 am – 11:15 am
Discussion Focus: Jobs

This session will discuss economic policy as it relates to sensible energy and environmental policy. Job creation in the green economy is on the rise across the country with California reporting that its “green jobs sector” has generated ten times the expansion of any other sector. What is a “green economy” and how do you leverage resources in your state or region to create sustainable economic development and job growth? Learn how informed leaders have used the concept of sustainability to build state and local economic vitality.

Facilitator: Robert Graves, Senior Fellow, GOVERNING Institute

Julia Burrows, Project Manager, Greenwise Sacramento, Office of the Mayor, City of Sacramento, California

Elton B. Sherwin, Jr., Author, Addicted to Energy

Ron Spalter, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, CUNY; Co-Chair, Sustainable CUNY Task Force

11:15 am – 11:30 am
Break

11:30 am – 12:45 pm
Discussion Focus: Energy

Today’s economy is dependent upon reliable, affordable energy. Demand for energy has gone up over 25% since 1990 and based on population growth projections for the US demand will only increase. Power outages and power quality disturbances cost the economy more than $25 billion and $180 billion annually (2009 Congestion Study, United States Energy Department, Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability). Sustainable, livable communities require dependable generation, transmission and distribution of energy. Governors across the nation cite energy as a top issue for their administrations; states are mandating renewable energy and natural gas upgrades to their current infrastructure, energy conservation programs are even considering new generation and potentially safer nuclear power. What are the various state and local energy strategies we’re seeing nationally that seem to hold promise for the future?

Facilitator: Jonathan Walters, Executive Editor, GOVERNING

Abigail Hopper, Esq., Energy Advisor to Governor Martin O’Malley, State of Maryland

Amanda Smith, Executive Director, Utah Department of Environmental Quality and Energy Policy Advisor to Governor Gary R. Herbert

Energy Discussion Highlight: Smart Grids

Smart grid technology has been the focus of billions of dollars in federal investment promising a smarter distribution system, a more informed consumer, opportunities for economic development and better metrics for city governments to make energy consumption and efficiency comparisons to other cities. In short, smart grids promise more opportunity to improve energy utilization as well as quality of life. This discussion will examine what the current smart grid pilot projects are revealing.

Wade O. Troxell, Associate Dean for Research & Economic Development, Colorado State University

12:45 pm – 2:00 pm
Luncheon and Open House

2:00 pm – 2:15 pm
PlaNYC Overview: Where we have been, where we are going

David Bragdon, Director of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability, City of New York

2:15 pm – 3:30 pm
Discussion Focus: Infrastructure & Transportation

Seventy-nine percent of Americans support the idea of an “urban, suburban, or rural community that has more housing and transportation choices, is closer to jobs, shops or schools, is more energy independent, and helps protect clean air and water.” Panelists on this afternoon’s program will interact with the audience concerning water planning, wastewater programs, transportation, high-speed rail, alternative fuel and the infrastructure that we’ll need to support it all.

Facilitator: Jonathan Walters, Executive Editor, GOVERNING

David Bragdon, Director of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability, New York City

Randell H. Iwasaki, Executive Director, Contra Costa Transportation Authority

Joanne M. Mahoney, Onondaga County Executive, Syracuse, New York

Petra Todorovich, Director, America 2050

Jack Wierzenski, Director, Economic Development, Dallas Area Rapid Transit

3:30 pm – 4:45 pm
Spotlight Discussion: Green Buildings

New technologies, green building codes, and cutting edge policy and programs will be among the highlights of this discussion. California’s CALGreen program and NYC’s Greener, Greater Buildings Plan are setting a new pace for green buildings with exciting new codes and reporting procedures. Speakers will share “the state of green building” and where things are headed.

Facilitator: Robert Graves, Senior Fellow, GOVERNING Institute

Kevin Kampschroer, Director, Office of High-Performance Green Buildings, U.S. General Services Administration

Laurie Kerr, Senior Policy Advisor on Sustainability, Buildings and Energy Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability, Office of the Mayor, City of New York

Dave Walls, Executive Director, the California Building Standards Commission

4:45 pm – 5:15 pm
Wrap Up

6:00 pm
Evening Activity
Reception at Isabella's
359 Columbus Ave. at 77th St.
New York, NY 10024
(212) 724-2100

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2011

8:30 am – 9:00 am
Breakfast

9:00 am – 9:25 am
Architecting a Sustainable Future through Policy and Practice

Linda Adams, Secretary, Environmental Protection Agency, State of California

9:25 am – 11:30 am
Spotlight on Leadership

A panel of state, local and private sector executives will discuss strategies for state and local leaders on developing comprehensive, long-term (versus project-by-project) sustainability plans in support of “livable communities.” What are examples from the private sector that government executives can learn from? How will data transparency and reporting support sustainability programs? How can we generate change in infrastructure and transportation planning? Are there workforce development strategies that can be deployed to create green jobs that complement and support green projects in the near term?

Facilitator: Peter Harkness, Founder and Publisher Emeritus, GOVERNING

Linda Adams, Secretary, Environmental Protection Agency, State of California

Tom Carpenter, Director, Sustainability Solutions, Waste Management

Adolfo Carrión, Jr., Regional Administrator, US Department of Housing & Urban Affairs for New York and New Jersey

Steve A. Hewitt, CPM, City Manager, City of Clinton, Oklahoma

John Schulz, Director, Citizenship & Sustainability, AT&T

11:30 am – 12:00 pm
Closing Activity

Paul Taylor, Editor at Large, GOVERNING

12:00 pm
Adjourn

• Overview
• Agenda
• Location / Hotels
• Sponsorships