Sacramento, CA, Jan. 03, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gladstein, Neandross and Associates (GNA), organizers of the Rethink Methane Symposium, released the 2018 agenda and announced featured speakers. Rethink Methane Symposium, now in its 4th year, is returning to Sacramento February 6-7, 2018. The annual event provides California policymakers critical information needed to implement policies passed by the legislature to increase the use of renewable gas and address barriers that are preventing the state from developing a robust, successful, and economically sustainable renewable gas industry.
“Although California has passed several bills since 2014 meant to make it easier to produce renewable gas and incentivize its consumption, the industry still has not taken off in a manner wanted by industry or needed by the state’s ambitious air quality, climate protection, and economic development goals,” said Cliff Gladstein, president of GNA. “The 2018 Rethink Methane Symposium will continue the dialogue between policymakers and key renewable gas industry leaders to support the continued development of California’s renewable energy sector.”
The 2018 Rethink Methane Symposium agenda covers:
- The critical role that California’s organic resource base can play in providing steady supplies of renewable gas to both displace diesel and to accelerate the introduction of renewable hydrogen
- The discrepancies in existing statutory definitions of renewable and bio-gas and standardize these requirements
- Ensuring that programs to promote the use of hydrogen are both compatible with and complementary to programs that promote biogas
- The ongoing barriers to connecting both power and gas from organic feedstocks to California’s electrical and natural gas grids
- Creating a sustainable strategy for the state to develop and implement a utility portfolio standard that promotes the development of renewable gas resources while protecting energy consumers from unreasonable price hikes
- The ways to optimize state and federal incentives to enhance the prospects for dramatic economic and job growth from a successful renewable gas industry
Keynote speakers include:
- Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia, Assembly District 56*
- Assemblyman Jose Medina, Assembly District 61*
Other featured speakers include:
- Richard Corey, Executive Officer, California Air Resources Board
- Assemblywoman Autumn Burke, Assembly District 63
- George Minter, Regional Vice President, External Affairs and Environmental Strategy, Southern California Gas Company
- Assemblywoman Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, Assembly District 4
- Jack Broadbent, Executive Officer/Air Pollution Control Officer, Bay Area Air Quality Management District
- Kip Lipper, Chief Policy Advisor on Energy and Environment, Office of Senate President Pro Tempore Kevin de Leon*
- Mallik Angalakudati, Vice President Corporate Strategy, Pacific Gas & Electric Company*
The Rethink Methane Symposium is supported by a number of leading energy, government, and industry associations, including the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E), the California Energy Commission, Bioenergy Association of California, California Hydrogen Business Council, Climate Resolve, Coalition for Clean Air, Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas, the California Association of Sanitation Agencies, and the Sacramento US DOE Clean Cities Coalition.
Additional speakers and partners are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. Registration for government and non-profit agencies is complimentary. Early bird registration for private sector attendees is $300 through January 5th, 2018. For more information about the Rethink Methane Symposium and to register, visit www.rethinkmethane.org.
* indicates speaker has been invited
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About Gladstein, Neandross & Associates (GNA)
GNA is a 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 25 years, GNA has pioneered the nation’s largest and most innovative alternative fuel vehicle projects, including the development of successful clean fuel corridor projects. In addition to its technical consulting practice, GNA hosts North America’s leading alternative fuel and advanced vehicle technology conferences, including the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo, the High Horsepower (HHP) Summit, and the Rethink Methane Symposium. www.gladstein.org
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