By Beth Luce, Manager of Communication Services, University of Washington Tacoma
Is the era of affordable and reliable energy coming to a close? Assuming that our current path is unsustainable, what will replace our energy sources, and what is the role of private enterprise in exploring and producing alternatives?
Social Responsibility in the Energy Sector, a panel discussion, brings three industry leaders together to discuss social responsibility and the road to new energy. The event is slated for Nov. 10, 4–6 p.m., in Philip Hall on the UW Tacoma campus.
The UW Tacoma Milgard School of Business’s Center for Leadership and Social Responsibility sponsors this engaging conversation with representatives of different approaches and potential solutions to the looming problem of energy sustainability.
The panelists include:
- Mark Tegen ’98, chief executive officer of Inventure Chemical, is a member of the steering committee of the Puget Sound Clean Cities Coalition, and a member of the Washington State Department of Agriculture Biofuels Advisory Committee. His company develops renewable chemicals and fuels from algae, non-food cellulose materials, agricultural residues and oil seeds.
- Andy Wappler ’86, is vice president for Corporate Affairs for Puget Sound Energy, and chairman and president of the Puget Sound Energy Foundation. He is responsible for enhancing relationships with communities, government agencies and major customers. Puget Sound Energy is Washington’s oldest local energy utility, serving more than 1 million electric customers and nearly 750,000 natural gas customers. The company emphasizes safe, reliable, low-cost energy.
- Tony Usibelli is assistant director of Washington State Dept of Commerce’s Energy Office and head of the Energy Policy Division. Previously he worked for the Washington State University energy program, managed the energy efficiency section at the Washington State Energy Office, and was staff scientist focusing on energy efficiency and environmental issues at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California. Tony was an adjunct faculty member at the Evergreen State College where he taught courses in energy, natural resource, and global climate change.
The event is free and open to the public (registration required) and for more information.