Automation Federation and ISA Join In Presenting National Energy Policy Goals Proclamation to US Congress

Phil Black - PII Editor 04/06/2009

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The Automation Federation and the International Society of Automation (ISA) joined nineteen other energy- and technology-oriented organizations in presenting a National Energy Policy Goals Proclamation to the 111th US Congress. The proclamation calls on the new US President and Congress to act quickly to establish National Energy Policy Goals to help ensure the nation’s economic and national security and to guide the development of energy technology for the 21st Century.

The proclamation recommends the following goals:

    * Maximize the use of electric power generated by sustainable, economic, and environmentally-acceptable technology
    * Modernize the Nation’s electric transmission grid
    * Maximize electrification of the transportation sector
    * Establish visible and substantial national energy efficiency and conservation goals
    * Employ indigenous raw material to manufacture liquid and gaseous fuels
    * Build and deploy generating capacity to supply reliable electric service
    * Provide a long-term commitment to energy research, development, and demonstration

The proclamation was developed through collaboration between American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE-USA), and the energy policy alliance—focused on providing information on energy legislation and serving as a resource to the engineering community—these two societies have created. The Automation Federation and ISA are members of this energy policy alliance.

In the beginning of this year, the Automation Federation created an Energy Committee, chaired by Leo Staples of OG&E, to work on the Automation Federation SmartGrid/Cybersecurity initiative currently underway. In conjunction with the 2009 Engineering Public Policy Symposium held in April, Automation Federation volunteers met with Members of Congress in Washington D.C. to discuss the importance of the automation professional and the automation standards and certifications that will play an important role in attaining these proposed National Energy Policy Goals.

A POWID SmartGrid exploratory committee met in Chicago at the POWID Symposium in May to discuss the continuing strategy for moving the SmartGrid/Cybersecurity initiative forward.

Leo Staples, chair of the Automation Federation energy committee stated, “By adding our names to this Proclamation, the Automation Federation and ISA are showing our support for the adoption of these energy policy goals and demonstrating that we are active players in the development of a National Energy Policy. As these National Energy Policy Goals are discussed by Congress, the Automation Federation will serve as a technical and expert resource to the Members.”

Learn more about the National Energy Policy Goals Proclamation at www.automationfederation.org/energy.