THE AUTOMATION FEDERATION NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Bernard H. Penney
(919) 990-9291
bpenney@automationfederation.org
Automation Federation and ISA Join In Presenting National Energy Policy Goals Proclamation to Congress
Research Triangle Park, NC (3 June 2009) - The Automation Federation and ISA joined nineteen other energy- and technology-oriented organizations in presenting a National Energy Policy Goals Proclamation to the 111th Congress. The proclamation calls on the new President and Congress to act quickly to establish National Energy Policy Goals to help ensure the nation's economic and national security and to guide the development of energy technology for the 21st Century.
The proclamation recommends the following goals:
- Maximize the use of electric power generated by sustainable, economic, and environmentally-acceptable technology
- Modernize the Nation's electric transmission grid
- Maximize electrification of the transportation sector
- Establish visible and substantial national energy efficiency and conservation goals
- Employ indigenous raw material to manufacture liquid and gaseous fuels
- Build and deploy generating capacity to supply reliable electric service
- Provide a long-term commitment to energy research, development, and demonstration
The proclamation was developed through collaboration between American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE-USA), and the energy policy alliance—focused on providing information on energy legislation and serving as a resource to the engineering community—these two societies have created. The Automation Federation and ISA are members of this energy policy alliance.
In the beginning of this year, the Automation Federation created an Energy Committee, chaired by Leo Staples of OG&E, to work on the Automation Federation SmartGrid/Cybersecurity initiative currently underway. In conjunction with the 2009 Engineering Public Policy Symposium held in April, Automation Federation volunteers met with Members of Congress in Washington D.C. to discuss the importance of the automation professional and the automation standards and certifications that will play an important role in attaining these proposed National Energy Policy Goals.
A POWID SmartGrid exploratory committee met in Chicago at the POWID Symposium in May to discuss the continuing strategy for moving the SmartGrid/Cybersecurity initiative forward.
Leo Staples, chair of the Automation Federation energy committee stated, "By adding our names to this Proclamation, the Automation Federation and ISA are showing our support for the adoption of these energy policy goals and demonstrating that we are active players in the development of a National Energy Policy. As these National Energy Policy Goals are discussed by Congress, the Automation Federation will serve as a technical and expert resource to the Members."
Learn more about the National Energy Policy Goals Proclamation at www.automationfederation.org/energy.
About ISA
Founded in 1945, the International Society of Automation (www.isa.org) is a leading, global, nonprofit organization that is setting the standard for automation by helping over 30,000 worldwide members and other professionals solve difficult technical problems, while enhancing their leadership and personal career capabilities. Based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, ISA develops standards; certifies industry professionals; provides education and training; publishes books and technical articles; and hosts the largest conference and exhibition for automation professionals in North America. ISA is the founding sponsor of The Automation Federation (www.automationfederation.org).
About the Automation Federation
The Automation Federation is a global umbrella organization under which member associations and societies engaged in manufacturing and process automation activities can work more effectively to fulfill their missions, advance the science and engineering of automation technologies and applications and develop the workforce needed to capitalize on the benefits of automation. The Automation Federation is working to become the "Voice of Automation." For more information about the Automation Federation, visit www.automationfederation.org.
