At the EnergyAgency.NRW expert conference on future energies, expert speakers addressed the subject of efficient energy generation, especially regarding biomass, energy storage, geothermal energy, wind energy research and power plant technology. Aaron Best, Ecologic Senior Fellow, spoke in the opening plenary session, highlighting the nascent energy and climate policies of the new Obama administration.

The election of Barack Obama signifies a major turning point in the energy and climate policies of the U.S. administration. President Obama has clearly signaled that large investments in efficiency and renewables are needed, driven primarily by the administration’s concerns over energy security, climate change and the future economic competitiveness of the United States.

A shift in the U.S. public’s understanding on these issues occurred in the latter part of the Bush administration, with greater support now apparent for addressing the challenges of climate change and U.S. energy dependence. Key challenges remain, however, especially regarding the willingness of the U.S. Congress to codify President Obama’s ambitious energy targets into law.

There is also a tension between the tight timeline for the international climate negotiations culminating in Copenhagen in 2009 and the ability of the U.S. government to pass supportive climate legislation so quickly.

Aaron Best’s presentation is available for download [pdf, 630 KB, English].