FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 27, 2008
Contact: Anika Mitchell Perkins
(662) 329-7124
aperkins@pa.muw.edu

National energy policy, economic growth focus of conference to be held at MUW

COLUMBUS, Miss. - The importance of having a national energy policy will bring various local entities together on Tuesday, April 7.

Mississippi University for Women’s College of Business and Legal
Studies will host an energy conference to take a look at the impact of a comprehensive national energy policy on economic stability and growth.

Other sponsoring organizations will include Atmos
Energy, Columbus Light and Water, Columbus-Lowndes Development Link, 4-County Electric Power Association, PACCAR and the Women’s Center for Entrepreneurship at MUW. The conference will be held in Nissan Auditorium, Parkinson Hall, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

MUW Professor Glenn Rhyne, an expert on the economy, said, “There’s nothing more important than to have an energy policy right now. Energy is a key part of every day life as well as economic growth.”

Key components of a national energy policy should include challenges in the energy industry and their impact on business, the natural resources of electricity and gas, the importance of renewable energy sources and applications of current energy efficient technologies, according to Dr. Rhyne.

Topics to be led by distinguished leaders in the energy field:

● Keynote Address: “Energy Challenges in an Era of
Uncertainty” Kim Greene, chief financial officer, Tennessee Valley
Authority
● Panel Discussion: Key Elements of a National Energy Policy,
Allegra Brigham, chief executive officer, 4-County Electric Power
Association, moderator
● “Natural Gas-America’s Responsible Energy Choice” Bob
Kerley, vice president of marketing-Mississippi Division, ATMOS Energy
● “Renewable Energy” Dr. Glenn Steele, director of Sustainable
Energy Research Center, Mississippi State University
● “Using Technology to be an Environmental Leader” Lance
Walters, assistant plant manager, PACCAR

Conference attendance is free of charge, but pre-registration is
requested. Registration information, directions and the conference
agenda can be found at www.muw.edu/business/energy or contact Lin
Valiant at lvaliant@bu.muw.edu or (662)329-7152.

For more specific information about conference content and details,
contact Dr. Glenn Rhyne at grhyne@bu.muw.edu or (662)329-7256.