(Morgantown, WV) American Municipal Power, Inc. (AMP) President/CEO Marc Gerken was one of a number of energy executives, and other industry, labor, environmental leaders and experts from around the country participating in an energy forum at West Virginia University on Aug. 6. A Forum Look at America’s Energy Roadmap to 2050 was hosted by Congressman David McKinley (R-WV) and including Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) and WVU President Jim Clements.

The forum, which was open to the public, was designed to discuss the future of America’s energy policy and centered on topics such as the need for a national energy policy, and what elements that policy should include; the future role of fossil fuels; carbon capture, sequestration and utilization; federal support to stimulate public private partnerships in energy research; and non-conventional uses of natural gas and coal-to-liquid technology.

Other participants included FirstEnergy CEO Tony Alexander, National Research Center for Coal and Energy Director Dr. Richard Bajura, CONSOL Energy CEO Brett Harvey, National Energy Technology Laboratory Director Dr. Anthony Cugini, as well as senior executives from AEP, Dominion Virginia Power, Chesapeake Energy, American Gas Association, Exxon Mobil, United Mine Workers and National Resources Defense Council.

In his remarks, Gerken emphasized the need for a national energy policy that includes an “all-of-the-above” strategy creating a balanced portfolio, stressing the need for energy efficiency to be a part of that strategy. He also spoke to the need for a coordinated regulatory process to support development efforts like AMP’s hydroelectric projects.

The forum was organized by Congressman McKinley, who serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

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