Report: Midwest U.S. and surrounding states set for smooth transition to clean energy scenario
What is “Plan B” for IA, IN, IL, KY, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, OH, SD, WI and WV If Congress Does Not Act on Climate Bill?
MADISON, WI – NEWS ADVISORY – With 2010 action by Congress now uncertain on climate and energy issues, Synapse Energy Economics of Cambridge, MA, will outline at 10 a.m. CDT on Thursday (September 2, 2010) the details of a report for the nonprofit and nonpartisan Civil Society Institute (CSI) showing how Wisconsin and the rest of the greater Midwest region of the U.S. could make the transition to a clean electricity future.
The Synapse/CSI report outlines a transition to healthier, safer power industry nationwide and provides details on what this transition might look like in the Midwest and the U.S. The report defines the greater Midwest region as consisting of Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin and West Virginia.
Synapse/CSI develops a scenario in which the Midwest increases energy efficiency, decreases use of dirty and/or expensive energy sources (such as coal and nuclear) and boosts reliance on wind, solar, and other clean-energy technologies. According to the Synapse/CSI report, the Midwest is second only to the Northwest in its ability to make the nation’s smoothest and most efficient regional transition to a clean electricity future.
News event speakers will be:
* Grant Smith, senior advisor, Civil Society Institute, and executive director, Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana; and
* Geoff Keith, associate, Synapse Energy Economics Inc.
A streaming audio replay of the Wisconsin news event will be available on the Web at http://www.CivilSocietyInstitute.org as of 3 p.m. CDT on September 2, 2010.
CONTACT: Alex Grodin, 571-344-0085 or agrodincsi@gmail.com.
Based in Newton, MA., the nonprofit and nonpartisan Civil Society Institute (http://www.CivilSocietyInstitute.org) is a think tank that serves as a catalyst for change by creating problem-solving interactions among people, and between communities, government and business that can help to improve society. Since 2003, CSI has conducted more than 25 major national and state-level surveys and reports on energy and auto issues, including vehicle fuel-efficiency standards, consumer demand for hybrids/other highly-fuel efficient vehicles, global warming and renewable energy. In addition to being a co-convener of TheCLEAN.org (http://www.TheClean.org), the Civil Society Institute also is the parent organization of 40MPG.org (http://www.40MPG.org) and the Hybrid Owners of America (http://www.HybridOwnersofAmerica.org).
Synapse Energy Economics, Inc. (http://www.synapse-energy.com/)provides research, testimony, reports and regulatory support on energy, economic, and environmental topics. Synapse has a professional staff of 22 with more than 300 years of combined experience in the electricity and natural gas industries. Synapse assesses the implications of electricity and natural gas industry planning, regulation and restructuring. Its work covers various interrelated issues such as transmission planning, service reliability, siting, fuel diversity, resource planning, financial and economic risks, renewable energy potential and renewable portfolio standards, energy efficiency, electricity modeling, portfolio management, customer service and more. Synapse works for a wide range of clients throughout the United States, including attorneys general, offices of consumer advocates, public utility commissions, a variety of environmental groups, foundations, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Energy, Department of Justice, Federal Trade Commission, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, and others.
