SANTA MONICA, Calif., April 15, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gladstein, Neandross and Associates (GNA), a California-based clean transportation and energy consulting firm, today announced its new event, the Rethink Methane Symposium, set to take place June 9-10 in Sacramento. This first-of-its-kind symposium will present California's policymakers and energy industry leaders with a comprehensive vision on how renewable methane from biological and synthetic sources can help California meet its climate protection and air quality improvement goals, serve as a practical storage medium for renewable power-to-gas, create a near-zero-emission hydrogen energy infrastructure, and strengthen the state's economic future.
"The U.S. faces the daunting challenge of continuing economic growth while simultaneously mitigating the triple threats of smog, toxic air contaminants, and climate change. While progress has been made on all three fronts, each of these dangers continues to loom large in public consciousness and on lawmakers' policy making agenda," stated GNA President Cliff Gladstein. "To help the nation address these critical issues, this Symposium intends to facilitate an important discussion regarding the advancement of renewable methane as both a transportation fuel and as a storage medium for renewably generated power."
The goal of the symposium is to initiate a broader discussion about the role that renewable methane can play helping to realize the state's goals of increasing renewable energy production and reducing petroleum consumption. Organizers hope to engage stakeholders from the solar, wind, hydrogen and fuel cell industries in the effort to press policy makers to develop and implement policies and incentives to accelerate the production, distribution and consumption of renewable methane as well as developing a robust capacity to produce hydrogen and methane from surplus renewable power, known as "power-to-gas".
Attendees will have an opportunity to hear from an impressive lineup of speakers who are at the forefront of the nation's drive toward cleaner, more sustainable fuels for our transportation sector, including:
- Hector De La Torre, Board Member, California Air Resources Board
- Johannes Escudero, Executive Director, Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas
- Cliff Gladstein, President, Gladstein, Neandross & Associates
- Peter Lehner, Executive Director, Natural Resources Defense Council
- Julia Levin, Executive Director, Bioenergy Association of California
- Mike Levin, Director, Government Affairs, FuelCell Energy, Inc.
- Alan Lloyd, President Emeritus, International Council on Clean Transportation
The Symposium is supported by a number of leading energy, government, and industry associations, including the Southern California Gas Company, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, Redeem by Clean Energy, Applied Natural Gas Fuels, Bioenergy Association of California, California Hydrogen Business Council, Climate Action Reserve, Climate Resolve, Coalition for Clean Air, Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas, Gas Technology Institute, and the Sacramento US DOE Clean Cities Coalition. Organizations interested in sponsorship opportunities can contact Tony Quist, Director of Sales, at 310-573-8564.
For more information about the Rethink Methane Symposium, visit www.rethinkmethane.org.
About Gladstein, Neandross & Associates (GNA)
GNA is the leading North American consulting firm specializing in market development for low-emission and alternative fuel vehicle technologies, infrastructure and fuels for both on and off-road applications. For more than 20 years, GNA has pioneered the nation's largest and most innovative alternative fuel vehicle projects, including the development of several successful clean fuel corridor projects. In addition to its technical consulting practice, GNA hosts two of North America's leading alternative fuel and advanced vehicle technology conferences—the Alternative Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo and the High Horsepower (HHP) Summit. www.gladstein.org