XU takes on idea of an ‘energy economy’ in first of its kind conference

Reviving the economy and developing alternative forms of energy are two issues begging for solutions.Recognizing this, Xavier University will use a $5,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation to host its annual Edward B. Brueggeman Center for Dialogue Town Hall Meeting.In years past Town Hall Meetings have addressed a host of pressing issues from China and Globalization to Cincinnati's place in the global economy.  Illustrious guests at past meetings have included Ralph Nader, John Pepper, David Rusk and Vandana Shiva, among others.It is due time for the topic of this year's Town Hall Meeting, entitled 'The New Energy Economy: Is it Possible, and If So, How Do We Get There?  "A new energy economy is one that is not dependent upon foreign oil," says James Buchanan, PhD, Executive Director of the Edward B. Brueggeman Center for Dialogue.  "At the real big picture level, it will mean a wholesale rethinking of how we produce and distribute energy.  It will be an economy in which we all become potential energy producers not just energy consumers."Even with the amount of media space this topic takes, according to Xavier University representatives, this is one of the first, if not the first such meetings to consider whether an energy economy is realistic and necessary, and if so, what it would look like in practice.The panel of experts who will delve into this complex issue includes David Orr, professor at Oberlin College; Ray Anderson, CEO at the environmentally friendly Inerface Corp; Chris Flavin, president of Worldwatch, premier monitor and advocate of environmental sustainability; and Kevin Leahy, Vice President of Climate Change at Duke Energy Corp.Of the panel, Buchanan says, "they have all, in a variety of ways, been involved, in some form or other, of not only discussing these topics but actually trying to put these values into practice.  The story of Ray Anderson and how he has transformed Interface, Corp. is one of the great American stories, a story of a man and a company who had a vision and set out, step by step to realize that vision." With some energy wins under its belt, Cincinnati is off to a good start.  LEED certified building commitments at Xavier and the University of Cincinnati and solar panels on some official buildings are a start, but the city, like the rest of the country, still has a way to go.  "The first obstacle for Cincinnati is sprawl," Buchanan says.  "Extending infrastructure outward endlessly is economically inefficient, environmentally harmful and studies have shown, renders communities who sprawl less competitive in a global economy.  The other obstacle is the one we encounter everywhere, namely, resistance to the long-term commitments necessary to large-scale change." Addressing this need for a willingness to fundamentally change the way we produce and use energy, those who attend this meeting will learn ways they can actively participate in this transformation."What I hope people who attend take away is their own vision and ways in which they can set out, step by step, to realize that vision, not only for themselves, but for a new type of economic system based upon new energy paths for the country and the world," Buchanan says.  "It is our only hope for an America that is flourishing for future generations, both economically and environmentally." Open and free to the public, this year's meeting will take place on April 6 at 7:00 pm at Xavier's Duff Banquet Center.  Writer:  Jonathan DeHartSource:  Laurel Bauer, James Buchannan