Agenda for the 2011 ASPO-USA Conference

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This week, we would like to present our agenda for the 2011 ASPO-USA Conference – Peak Oil, Energy & the Economy to be held November 2-5 (Wednesday – Saturday) in Washington DC.

Wednesday is a pre-conference day featuring visits with Congressional offices and Congressional staff. Thursday will focus on the latest information on oil and energy trends, and analysis of their implications for the economy. Friday will focus on strategies and opportunities to adapt to a new energy and economic reality. Finally, Saturday will focus on interactive roundtable sessions where YOU will have in-depth discussions with speakers and other invited guests.

The Thursday morning session will take place inside the Congressional Auditorium, the 450-seat theater inside the U.S. Capitol. We hope to see you in Washington. Please register at http://www.energybulletin.org/conference/2011/Registration.cfm

– From All of Us at ASPO-USA

Wednesday, November 2, 2011


Time	Session

9:00 AM to 10:00 AM	Working with Congress-Orientation and Training
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM	Congressional Office Visits
Meet with Congressional Staff to discuss energy issues and help advance understanding of Peak Oil and resource depletion issues. Learn More

6:00 PM to 9:00 PM	Registration
Social Events
7:00 PM to 9:00 PM	Welcome Reception
Opening Reception with Speakers and Attendees

Thursday, November 3, 2011


Time	Session

7:00 AM to 7:00 PM	Registration
Beginning at 8:30 a.m., this morning’s sessions will be held at the Congressional Auditorium at the U.S. Capitol building. Groups will meet in the Hyatt lobby starting at 7:45 a.m. to make the 10-15 minute walk to the Auditorium. Please allow yourself enough time to register and collect your name badge prior to leaving the Hyatt.

8:30 AM to 9:00 AM	Welcome, Overview at the Congressional Auditorium, Capitol Visitor Center
Jim Baldauf, President and Co-Founder, ASPO-USA Jan Mueller, Executive Director, ASPO-USA

9:00 AM to 10:30 AM	Peak Oil Update: Timing, Trends, Consequences
An up-to-date analysis of the fundamental trends underlying the Peak Oil and resource depletion issue, and the implications for the economy, energy security, and global stability. Chris Skrebowski, Founding Director, Peak Oil Consulting; Consulting Editor, Petroleum Review, Energy Institute (UK) William R. Catton, Jr. Professor Emeritus, Dept. of Sociology, Washington State University; Author, Bottleneck: Humanity’s Impending Impasse Jeff Rubin, Former Chief Economist, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce; Author, Why Your World is About to Get a Whole Lot Smaller

10:30 AM to 10:45 AM	Break and Networking
10:45 AM to 12:15 PM	Adapting to the End of Cheap Energy: Critical Factors
Use less? Find Alternatives? Re-think Everything? A hard look at near-term and long-term options for adapting to an oil supply crisis, and choices facing businesses, government, communities, and citizens. Richard Heinberg, Senior Fellow, Post Carbon Institute; Author, The End of Growth Chris Martenson, Former Vice-President, Science Applications International Corporation; Creator “The Crash Course” Roger Bezdek, President, Management Information Services Inc. Angelina Galiteva, Founder, Renewables 100 Policy Institute; President, NEOptions; Member, California ISO Board of Governors; Chair, World Council for Renewable Energy

12:15 PM to 2:00 PM	Networking Lunch


2:00 PM to 3:30 PM	Out of Gas: Implications for Transportation
Transportation accounts for 70% of U.S. oil use, and depends on oil for nearly all its energy needs. This session examines scenarios of how passenger and freight travel are likely to respond as Peak Oil unfolds. Charles Schlumberger, Lead Air Transport Specialist, The World Bank Joshua Schank, President, Eno Transportation Foundation Arlee Reno, Senior Economist, Cambridge Systematics Beth Osborne, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy, US Department of Transportation

2:00 PM to 3:30 PM	Of Wells and Wall Street: Implications for Businesses and Investors
The current environment for businesses and investors is fraught with uncertainty. Learn how Peak Oil and other major shifts in energy market dynamics alters the calculus for business and investment strategies. Chris Martenson, Creator, “The Crash Course” Robert Rapier, Chief Technology Officer, Merica International Jason Stevens, Associate Director, Energy, Morningstar Moderator: Jim Hansen, Ravenna Capital Management

2:00 PM to 3:30 PM	China and the Middle East: Implications for U.S. Energy Security
Dynamic changes in China and the Middle East, including rapidly rising energy demand, has huge consequences for the United States and other industrial economies. This session examines major trends in global energy demand and supply, and ripple effects for the U.S. economy. Michael Klare, Five Colleges Professor of Peace and World Security Studies, Hampshire College Minqi Li, Associate Professor of Economics, University of Utah Kjell Aleklett, Professor of Physics, Uppsala University (Sweden); President, ASPO International Moderator: Jeffrey Brown, Independent Consulting Petroleum Geologist

3:40 PM to 5:00 PM	The End of Growth?
The spectacular economic growth experienced by the United States and other industrial nations over the last 100 or more years was made possible in large part by access to abundant, affordable energy, principally from fossil fuels. Can growth as we have known it continue in the face of accelerating depletion of global energy resources? Jean Laherrère, President of ASPO France, retired geologist/geophysicist, Total S.A. (France) William R. Catton, Jr. Professor Emeritus, Dept. of Sociology, Washington State University; Author, Bottleneck: Humanity’s Impending Impasse Richard Heinberg, Senior Fellow, Post Carbon Institute: Author, The End of Growth Moderator: Jim Baldauf, President, ASPO-USA Board of Directors

5:15 PM to 7:00 PM	Dinner on your own
7:00 PM to 9:00 PM	The Shale Gas Rush: Boom or Bust?
Massive expansion of shale gas development has been touted as a cure-all for America’s energy challenges. This special feature session takes a hard look at the prospects and pitfalls for shale gas. Anthony Ingraffea, Professor of Engineering, Cornell University Rob Jackson, Professor, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University Robert Howarth, Professor of Ecology and Environmental Biology, Cornell University Amy Mall, Senior Policy Analyst, NRDC Moderator: Art Berman, Labyrinth Consulting Services, Inc.; ASPO-USA Board Member

Friday, November 4, 2011

Time

Session

7:30 AM to 3:30 PM	Registration
8:30 AM to 8:45 AM	Interim Observations, Day 2 Overview
Robert Hirsch, Senior Energy Advisor, MISI, and lead author of the “Hirsch Report”

8:45 AM to 9:00 AM	Navigating a New Energy Reality – Concepts and Principles
A review of key considerations for adapting to the impacts of Peak Oil and resource depletion, and differentiating between meaningful and misguided responses. Robert Rapier, Chief Technology Officer, Merica International

9:00 AM to 10:15 AM	The Post-Peak Economy
An examination of how rapid changes in the energy world will shape fundamental economic and financial conditions. Charley Maxwell, Senior Energy Analyst, Weeden and Co. Jeff Rubin, Author, Former CIBC Chief Economist

10:15 AM to 10:30 AM	Break and Networking
10:30 AM to 12:00 PM	Living on a Renewable Energy Budget
Is it possible to run the global economy entirely on renewable energy? Do we have a choice? What are the opportunities and constraints for scaling up renewable energy development? What would the transition path look like? This session will drill down into the most authoritative and up-to-date data to address these critical questions. Dave Murphy, Energy Consultant, EROI Institute, SUNY-ESF; Contributor, The Oil Drum Angelina Galiteva, President, NEOptions; Member, California ISO Board of Governors; Chair, World Council for Renewable Energy Guy Dauncey, Founder and President of the BC Sustainable Energy Association Ken Zweibel, Director, George Washington University Solar Institute Moderator: Ron Swenson, CEO of Swenson Technology, ASPO-USA Board Member

12:00 PM to 1:30 PM	Lunch, Keynote Presentation: The Future of Food
Impacts on production and distribution of food is among the most serious concerns surrounding Peak Oil. Notable agriculture researcher and innovator Wes Jackson looks at the issue from an overall food system perspective and explores the key factors shaping the future of food. Wes Jackson, President, The Land Institute

1:30 PM to 3:00 PM	Finance in a Rapidly Changing World
Many factors are driving a rapidly changing financial environment. How does Peak Oil and shifting energy trends affect the future outlook for finance? How will a financial system built on the idea of endless growth respond to new realities and the prospect of economic contraction? This session will explore potential future scenarios, and examine the sudden contraction of the Russian economy following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Dmitry Orlov, Engineer; Author, Reinventing Collapse: The Soviet Example and American Prospects Gail Tverberg, President, Tverberg Actuarial Services; Contributing Editor, The Oil Drum Nicole Foss, The Automatic Earth Moderator: Dick Vodra, First Vice President, Spire Investment Partners, LLC

1:30 PM to 3:00 PM	At Ground Level: Adaptation for Local and Regional Economies
Strategies to adapt to Peak Oil may vary according to differences in regional economies and local resources. This session discusses how to assess different opportunities and constraints at the regional and local level in forming adaptation strategies for your business, your community, and your family. Naomi Davis, Founder and President, Blacks in Green John Michael Greer, Author, The Long Descent: A User’s Guide to the End of the Industrial Age Aaron Newton, Pollinator, Cultivatis; Co-Author, A Nation of Farmers: Defeating the Food Crisis on American Soil Peter Kilde, Executive Director, West Central Wisconsin Community Action Agency Moderator: Megan Quinn-Bachman, Reporter, Yellow Springs News; ASPO-USA Board Member

3:00 PM to 3:15 PM	Break
3:15 PM to 5:00 PM	What Next?: Strategies and Synthesis Discussion
There are no silver bullet or one-size-fits-all responses for Peak Oil, resource depletion, and the economic, social, and political challenges they present. Individual businesses, organizations, public institutions, communities, and households need to decide for themselves what specific adaptive strategies are most appropriate. But what general principles and elements can be distilled from the conference sessions and discussion thus far? A diverse panel of conference speakers and special guests will explore that question.

Social Events
6:30 PM to 9:00 PM	Speaker’s Dinner
Annual fundraising dinner with conference speakers. Program and discussion topics to be announced. Cost $200 (included with Peak Aware conference registration package) Pre-registration required

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Saturday, November 5, 2011
Time	Session

9:00 AM to 10:30 AM	Session I
Investors Roundtable An exchange of key information to guide financial decisions in a world of Peak Oil and energy uncertainty Featuring: Charley Maxwell, Robert Rapier, Jim Hansen, Charles Schlumberger, Andy Buckingham, and other experts Community Adaptation and the Post-Peak Economy Individuals have already begun reducing their dependence upon the energy-intensive global economic system by working cooperatively in communities to provide for their essential needs – food, shelter, healthcare, security and credit – closer to home. Discuss relocalization and monetary reform strategies with on-the-ground activists and create a plan for a post-peak economy. Featuring: Megan Bachman, Dmitry Orlov, John Michael Greer, and other experts Bringing Peak Oil into the National Policy Debate Federal policies affecting energy, the economy, transportation, infrastructure and other critical areas already faces huge policy and funding challenges. How does the prospect of rising fuel prices and potential fuel shortages change the debate for these interconnected issues? Does our vision for the future fit economic and energy reality? Featuring: Jan Mueller, Joshua Schank and other experts Innovative Communications, Writing a New American Story Journalists, media experts, and others lead a discussion on creative ways to communicate overwhelming and complex issues regarding energy and the economy, and how to work with traditional and new media. Featuring: Kurt Cobb, Chris Martenson, Tom Whipple and other experts

11:00 AM to 12:30 PM	Session II
Investors Roundtable (continued) Community Adaptation and the Post-Peak Economy (continued) Bringing Peak Oil into the National Policy Debate (continued) Innovative Communications, Writing a New American Story (continued)

12:30 PM to 1:00 PM	Lunch on your own
1:00 PM to 5:00 PM	Educators & Students Workshop
Saturday afternoon is dedicated to students and educators. Some conference speakers and ASPO-USA members will be in attendance and part of the program. The part of the program is free to students and teachers. Teaching and Learning Peak Oil: The Future of Education in an Era of Decline 12:00-1:00 PM – Open Space Discussions 1:00-2:30 PM – Talking Numbers: How to Reach People With the Science of Depletion Jeff Brown, Charlie Hall, and others TBD 2:30-3:00 PM – Break, Conversation 3:00-3:30 PM – The Problem of Histories Dmitry Orlov, John Michael Greer, Sharon Astyk 3:30-5:00 PM – The Future of the “Academy”