PUBLIC POLICY ACTIVITIES
ASME seeks promoted technically sound information on energy to policymakers based upon its expertise in energy-related fields and its responsibility to the public interest. The following links show ASME’s current energy policy-related endeavors.
ASME Board of Governors Approves General Position Statement on "Securing America's Energy Future"
ASME’s Board of Governors (BOG) approved an energy policy paper, entitled “Securing America’s Energy Future,” at the 2007 Summer Annual Meeting (SAM) in Toronto, Canada. The paper, headed up by the Energy Committee that is part of Knowledge & Communities, describes the best uses for current and future technologies and common sense policies that can ensure a balanced energy portfolio that can meet economic and environmental challenges. “Securing America’s Energy Future” will be the first society-wide energy policy statement released since 2001. The 30 member ASME Energy Committee, led by its chair Ken Kok, and an ad-hoc policy committee, authored the statement.
The paper is available on the Government Relations Position Statements website at http://www.asme.org/NewsPublicPolicy/GovRelations/PositionStatements/.
ASME Government Relations Congressional Briefings
ASME Government Relations conducts congressional briefings to inform Members of Congress and their staff about engineering, science and technology aspects of current public policy issues and to increase awareness among Congressional staff of ASME as a credible source of technical information. During the briefing, which typically lasts 1.5 hours, ASME examines a broad set of topics with a distinguished speaker or panel of speakers presenting to attendees. Speakers are from industry, academia, and government. ASME works closely in conjunction with the House Research and Development Caucus, the House Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education Caucus and Innovation and Diversity Caucus to initiate and convene congressional briefings.
 NEW! ITER Fusion Energy Experiment: Bringing a Sun to Earth, September 18, 2008
Fusion of light nuclei, the process that powers the sun, has long been seen as a possible attractive source for energy with the potential of plentiful fuel with no greenhouse gases. In 2006, the governments of the U.S. and six other partners concluded negotiations for the construction and research operation of ITER, a large fusion energy experiment aimed at demonstrating the scientific and technological feasibility of fusion energy. Studies of ITER plasmas, with the size and temperature of a power-producing fusion reactor, should significantly reduce the scientific risks associated with fusion energy. U.S. ITER Director, Dr. Ned Sauthoff discusses the experiment and some of its challenges.
 6th Annual Engineering R&D Symposium - May 6, 2008
Twenty-seven engineering organizations, representing more than 1 million engineers, sponsored the 6th Annual Engineering R&D Symposium in Washington, D.C. The event was convened to bring together society leaders from the various engineering organizations to learn about the federal government's current and future investment in research and development (R&D) and its impact on engineering research. ASME was the lead organizer for the event, which was convened in conjunction with the annual "National Academy of Engineering Convocation."
Coals-to-Liquids: Bridge to the Future of Fuel, April 24, 2008
Although CTL dates back over 60 years, a number of issues remain regarding its broad scale implementation domestically or internationally. The Department of Energy joins us to discuss these looming issues and the potential for the technology. As the United States begins to consider fuel sources beyond traditional gasoline, nations such as China have undertaken efforts to utilize their vast resources of coal to introduce another source of fuel for transportation. The Shenhua Group Corp., a Chinese national coal company, has been working to develop a plant that is set to go online this fall and will eventually reach 100,000 barrels of fuel per day. We invite you to join us for this briefing to learn more about Shenhua's efforts in coal liquefaction research & development as well as the challenges that remain with the technology being implemented domestically.
 Fostering Innovation: Key to U.S. Competitiveness in the Global Economy, April 3, 2008
Discussion on the abilities to quickly transform new, innovative ideas into real products and services that differentiate business leaders from their competitors in a global economy. Formal discussions on innovation, such as this, are likely to unveil which processes and activities to promote and encourage. Gain a fresh perspective on this complex issue by understanding the different methodologies and philosophies companies have for fostering innovation, how to evaluate their success, and policies that can advance innovation. Remarks made by Sam Zamrik Ph.D., President, ASME, John W. Ahlen Ph.D., President, Arkansas Science & Technology Authority and Carla O’Dell Ph.D., President, APQC, as well as George Pohle, Vice President & Global Leader, IBM Business Strategy Consulting Practice.
ENERGY GRAND CHALLENGE CONGRESSIONAL NOONTIME BRIEFING SERIES
As part of its efforts to inform and educate members of Congress about sound technological responses to America's Energy challenges, ASME has launched its “Pathways to Energy Security” briefing series. Each of the 5 briefings will highlight international experiences with an emerging energy technology and discuss how the United States could gain from the past work of that country to harness its own energy resources. The aim is to feature a diverse set of countries and technologies that U.S. policymakers could use together to form a comprehensive energy strategy for the United States. These briefings will contribute to sound policy and technology decisions that will provide for clean and sustainable sources of fuel and electricity while ensuring future economic growth
 Green Gasoline: An Alternative Alternate Fuel, October 4, 2007
Government Relations recently joined with the United Engineering Foundation, AIChE, AIME, ASCE, and IEEE-USA to cosponsor a congressional briefing on “Green Gasoline: An Alternative Alternate Fuel.” Speakers included Director of the Catalysis & Biocatalysts Engineering Program at the National Science Foundation (NSF), Dr. John Regalbuto; Virent Energy Systems Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice-President Dr. Randy Cortright; and Director of Biofuels Research and Development for ConocoPhillips, Dr. Lisa Myers. While Dr. Regalbuto discussed the multiple chemical processes required to covert cellulosic biomass (wood chips, switch grass, corn stover, etc.) into green gasoline, Dr. Cortright and Dr. Myers discussed their companies’ individual efforts to cultivate this new technology. All three speakers addressed national and international energy challenges and private and public efforts to meet future energy demands. The briefing was held in conjunction with the House Congressional Research and Development (R&D) Caucus, which is co-chaired by Representatives Rush Holt, D-NJ, and Judy Biggert, R-IL. Information about the R&D Caucus is available at www.researchcaucus.org
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To read the Dear Colleague for the briefing click here -
To read Dr. Regalbuto's presentation click here -
To read Dr. Cortright's presentation click here -
To read Dr. Myers' presentation click here
 The Future of Biofuels, July 12, 2007
Dr. Mauricio Tolmasquim, former Vice Minister of Mines and Energy, Brazil
The third briefing in the "Pathways to Energy Security" series focused on the future of biofuels. Dr. Mauricio Tolmasquim, former Vice Minister of Mines and Energy and President of Energy Research Company, Brazil, was a key Brazilian policymaker who helped his country make the transition to biofuels. Dr. Tolmasquim was invited to speak at a congressional briefing to provide background on Brazils use of biofuels, on related Brazilian policy decisions, and on what the lessons and implications might be for the United States.
 Harvesting Ocean Power Briefing, May 9, 2007
Max Carcas of Ocean Power Delivery, LTD, Scotland
The second briefing in the "Pathways to Energy Security" series focused on the future of ocean power technologies. Max Carcas, an expert on ocean power and business development director for Ocean Power Delivery, a wave power company based in Scotland, discussed the opportunity to use various ocean currents and tides to produce clean electricity, especially in coastal areas. You can see Mr. Carcas's talk by clicking on the links below.
 Next Generation Nuclear Power Briefing, May 8, 2007
Jean Claude Gauthier of AREVA NP, France
The first briefing in the "Pathways to Energy Security" series focused on current and future nuclear power technologies. Jean Claude Gauthier, the Senior Vice President at Plants Sector at AREVA NP, a global nuclear power company based in France, discussed the efforts of France to utilize new nuclear power technologies to solve energy challenges related to pollution and waste. You can see Mr. Gauthier's talk by clicking on the links below.
PUBLIC POLICY AGENDA AND POSITION STATEMENTS
As innovators and designers of the systems and equipment used in the processes of power generation and conversion, engineers are well qualified to provide expertise on the important issues facing the nation with regard to energy policy and security. In order to provide guidance to policymakers, ASME frequently releases position statements on energy policy. ASME's 2007-2008 Public Policy Agenda provides an overview of its work on public policy on matters releated to energy.
To review all previous ASME Energy position statements please click here
ASME FEDERAL FELLOWS PROGRAM
ASME, as part of its federal fellowship program, currently has three ASME members working on policy matters on Capitol Hill.
Dan Deckler is working in the House Science and Technology Committee in the Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation for the Minority Staff and Ranking Member Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-GA). For more information on the Committee please click here.
Phil Grossweiler is working for Rep. Heather Wilson (R-NM). For more information on Rep. Heather Wilson please click here.
George Borlase is working at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. For more information on OSTP please click here.
To read more about current and former ASME Federal Fellows please click here |
