Key Agriculture and Energy Industry Experts to Discuss Significance of Affordable, Reliable Energy Supplies, the Challenges Presented by Renewable Fuel and Electricity, and Upcoming Policy Priorities for the Region

ATLANTA, GA: Today Southeast Energy Alliance (SEA) announced that the incoming Georgia Public Service Commission Chair Chuck Eaton will be a featured speaker at the 2012 Southeast Ag-Energy Summit beginning at 11am on Monday, December 17 at the Commerce Club in Atlanta, GA. Eaton will join a stirring lineup of speakers at the event including Michael Formica, Chief Environmental Counsel of the National Pork Producers and Lance Brown, Executive Director of the Alabama-based Partnership for Affordable Clean Energy (PACE). They willdiscussthe importance of affordable, reliable energy to the agricultural community, the challenges presented by renewable fuel and electricity, and upcoming legislative priorities for the region.

“With the Southeast being home to a number of energy-intensive industries such as agriculture, we are pleased to bring together these key industry experts at the 2012 Southeast Ag-Energy Summit,” said Michael Whatley, Executive Vice President of CEA. “We look forward to having a thoughtful discussion on the importance of effectively utilizing the nation’s abundant energy resources and how affordable, reliable energy is a key component to sustaining the agricultural community.”

“As debate continues about the responsible production of offshore energy resources, the growth of nuclear power generation and the role of renewable fuel and electricity in the Southeast, it is clear that there are a number of energy issues that will require a more prudent and responsible discussion in 2013,” said Southeast Energy Alliance Director Adam Waldeck. “We look forward to engaging with the 2012 Southeast Ag-Energy Summit speakers in a thoughtful dialogue on promoting an all-of-the-above approach to energy diversification.”

2012 Southeast Ag-Energy Summit speakers include:

  • Larry McKenzie; South Carolina Farm Bureau
  • Jeff Pratt; Georgia EMC
  • Charles Hall; North Carolina Soybean Producers Association
  • Lance Brown; Partnership for Affordable Clean Energy (PACE)
  • Paul Sherman; North Carolina Farm Bureau

The 2012 Southeast Ag-Energy Summit, co-hosted by the Georgia EMC and Georgia and Alabama Agribusiness Councils, will bring together regional stakeholders, consisting of Agriculture Commissioners, Farm Bureaus, Agribusiness Councils, elected officials, energy consumer groups and producers from six states. Such stakeholders will include representatives from the South Carolina Farm Bureau, North Carolina Soybean Producers Association, Georgia Chamber of Commerce, South Carolina Forestry Association, Duke Energy, the Tennessee Poultry Association and the National Pork Producers Council, among others.

Members of the national, state and local media are strongly encouraged to attend. The Summit is open to the public. Attendance is free, but registration is required. For more information, please contact Adam Waldeck at 203.535.2668 or adam.waldeck@southeastenergyalliance.org.