The Peoria NEXT Energy Summit is rapidly approaching, and it will present central Illinois with the opportunity to formulate a focused energy policy for our region. The event will be held on October 28th at the Peoria Civic Center and will allow us to engage our energy concerns in an open format. Hosted by the Dirksen Congressional Center, Peoria NEXT, the Institute for Principled Leadership in Public Service and Bradley University, the Energy Summit will be an all-day affair featuring guest speakers and an ambitious platform.
The Peoria NEXT Energy Summit will address the pressing national energy crisis and probe for meaningful policy prescriptions, specifically through the use of Midwestern energy solutions. Due to growing costs and security concerns, it is our collective goal to reduce the United States’ dependence on foreign oil. To deal with this imminent problem and ensure that the Energy Summit will be a success, a large segment of the day will be dedicated to the production of a comprehensive energy policy that central Illinois can confidently unite behind and advocate.
To do this, we will examine current and potential Midwestern contributions to the national energy portfolio, specifically through our burgeoning technology and ample resources. With the ability to harness the wind and produce ethanol and biodiesel, our production possibilities are truly formidable. With the inclusion of extensive coal reserves and growing clean coal and coal gasification technology, the evolution of electric battery technology, ecothermics and nuclear power, our region can truly achieve energy independence and contribute to national energy security. Additionally, emerging technology at Peoria’s National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research will allow us to help solve the food-versus-fuel debate when it comes to biofuels.
To fully utilize these resources and technologies, our discussion will engage specific policies on the national level that will allow us to develop our energy potential. We will engage current difficulties with sustainable energy legislation, we will look at the issues opposed to new legislation and we will attempt to formulate legislation that can advance our resources and technologies while ensuring bipartisan support. Participation in the Peoria NEXT Energy Summit is not only a step toward environmental sustainability, but a means to propel central Illinois into greater prosperity. Through the development of our energy resources and technologies, our region can achieve energy independence, contribute to national security and create quality jobs now and for subsequent generations in the Illinois Heartland.
To participate, contact Brad McMillan at the Bradley University Institute for Principled Leadership in Public Service at (309) 677-4408 or bmcmillan@bradley.edu. iBi