During the Summit, participants will take stock of the larger environmental, social, economic, and political problems associated with energy use, share their own research and sharpen the definition of the issues and options. They will also seek a consensus on recommendations that will then be reported back to local, regional and national government, industry and non-profit sector leaders.

By the end of the Summit, the full group should be prepared to present the results of its deliberations in the form of a written set of consensus recommendations as well as a short public presentation. All of the students attending the Summit have studied leaders in energy and society and are being asked to address the following challenge:

What should be done, and by whom, to bring about the changes necessary to meet growing energy demand, while simultaneously growing the workforce and significantly limiting the emissions of greenhouse gases? Participants should consider three time frames: near-term (4-8 years), mid-term (10-20 years), and long term (up to 50 years). They should analyze the political, economic, social equity, environmental, technical and legal aspects of each. Specifically, students should answer the following:

1) Political. Describes how, and to what degree government should intervene in the economy and society.
o To what extent should government intervene in the market?
o How do different stakeholders apply political pressure to alter which technologies are acceptable and where they can be sited?
o How do under-represented groups (less affluent, or minorities) gain a voice in the political process on creating new energy jobs?

2) Economic. Includes economic growth, inflation and taxes.
o The implementation of certain technologies may have long-term savings, but short-term costs. Who will bear up front costs?
o What incentives should be used to motivate consumers to support various energy options, and to encourage their adaptation? What incentives are needed for workers to change occupations or seek work in the energy field?
o Are revisions to the tax code required?

3) Social. Includes cultural aspects, demographic differences, environmental justice (are some impacted more than others)
o Must everyone have equal access to energy opportunities?
o Will certain job opportunities be available to everyone, or will some options only be available in concentrated urban areas?
o Will certain segments of the population lack the appropriate training to perform new energy jobs? How will they get training?

4) Technological. Includes the rate of technological change and impacts from research and development.
o Many improvements are available currently, others are close to deployment, and still others are in more nascent research stages. What are current technology opportunities in renewable, nuclear and carbon capture?
o What are barriers or constraints that impede technological progress?

5) Legal. The laws of the land, including environmental, as well as health and safety and discrimination laws and regulations. Congress and the State Legislature enact laws and the US Environmental Protection Agency and state environmental agencies create their own regulations to limit some activities and encourage others.
o What existing legal and regulatory issues affect the deployment of energy efficiency? (See the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, and the Executive Order signed by President Obama on Jan. 26, 2009, and various Renewable Portfolio Standards in many different states).
o Should new standards be enacted? If so, should standards take regional differences into account (i.e., city, county, upstate? How should progress be measured? By whom?

6) Environmental. Encompasses all impacts on the environment, including air and water quality, and impacts from climate change. o How can efficiency savings (i.e., energy not consumed) be quantified as reductions in greenhouse gas emissions?
o What are the environmental benefits and potential concerns about carbon sequestration?
o What’s the impact from installation of other renewable technologies like wind or solar or geothermal?