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“ RE alizing” the Possibilities Summer 2008 at The American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE). Abby Poats ’09 Grand Challenges Community Colloquium September 26, 2008. The American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE).
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“REalizing” the PossibilitiesSummer 2008 at TheAmerican Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE) Abby Poats ’09 Grand Challenges Community Colloquium September 26, 2008
The American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE) • 501 c(3) non-profit organization based in Washington, DC, with a San Francisco office as of July 2008 • Mission: “to bring all forms of renewable energy into the mainstream of America’s economy and lifestyle” • Core business: convening events and facilitating communications • Trade: WIREC 2008, RETECH • Policy: Phase II • Finance: REFF-Wall Street, REFF-West • Over 500 members including financial institutions (e.g. Goldman Sachs), government leaders (e.g. NREL, USDA), universities, end-users (e.g. Verizon, Google), professional service providers (e.g. BP, GE) and allied non-profit organizations (e.g. NRDC, USGBC)
ACORE Internship Program • Geared toward undergraduate and graduate students and recent university graduates interested in a career in the renewable energy industry • Provides opportunities to experience and understand the interfaces between trade, finance, law and policy • Dual focus: program assistance and personal research • Emphasis on attendance of networking events, which provide interns with the chance to meet key leaders in renewable energy
Program Assistance • Potential host firm contact list for ACORE’s American Bar Association (ABA) Teleconference Series • Monthly webinar convening energy lawyers, business experts and policymakers • Past & recent presentations: • “Green Buildings and Community Development—Getting the Rules, Regulations and Financing Right” (June 2008) • “Carbon Regionalism and the National and Global Carbon Agenda—How Does This Fit Together? (September 2008) • Website development for RETECH, the Renewable Energy Technology Conference & Exhibition scheduled for February 2008 • Research support for ACORE’s new International Committee, which presently focuses on China • Research support for ACORE’s National Governors Association (NGA) 50 states project • “Renewable Energy in the 14 States of the Natural Resources Committee of the National Governors Association” presented to the NGA Natural Resources Committee in July • Contributed to policy and technology summaries for 12 states
Personal Research • “Renewable Energy Highlights: Republic of South Africa” • Overview for ACORE’s president for his 10-day trip to South Africa • Includes a summary, resource maps, policy highlights, technology summaries, notable financing mechanisms and “potential field trips” for him and his family • Provided the opportunity to wrap up my Cape Town semester research on South Africa’s energy sector and its promotion and implementation of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) • Overview of IRENA and other international institutions working in the field of renewable energy • Familiarized myself with the planning documents of the proposed International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) • Compiled information about the renewable energy programs of international organizations like the World Bank, UNEP and UNDP
Fun Outside the Office! • Green Cup Polo • Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources hearing on cleantech financing (July 15, 2008) • Al Gore’s speech at Constitution Hall • Sustainable Energy Coalition Expo
Acknowledgements Special thanks to Elsie Sheidler at the Pace Center and to the PEI Energy Grand Challenges program! Questions?