U.S. Secretary of Commerce Don Evans will address the importance of sound energy policy to economic growth in his keynote address at the 15th Annual Energy Efficiency Forum June 16, 2004 at the National Press Club.

The theme of this year's forum is "Energy Efficiency: Are We Getting the Job Done." The forum is co-sponsored by the United States Energy Association (USEA) and Johnson Controls, Inc. Steve Forbes, editor-in-chief of Forbes magazine and a two-time candidate for the Republican nomination for President, will open the event with a global economic perspective on energy supply and energy efficiency.

In addition to Evans and Forbes, the forum will feature speakers ranging from administration officials to Democratic legislative leaders to representatives of public policy think tanks such as the Pew Center on Global Climate Change. This year's keynote speaker, Evans, is one of the chief members of President Bush's economic team. A former businessman in the oil and gas industry, Evans advises the president on job creation, international trade and energy policy, among other issues.

Attendees at this year's forum will also hear a Congressional update from Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., who sits on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and has been an advocate for the environment, sustainable development and economic opportunity. U.S. Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs Paula J. Dobriansky will speak about international energy initiatives, reflecting on the environmental and scientific public policy issues that are part of her responsibilities. Dobriansky will also be receiving the Energy Leadership International Award at the forum for her work in encouraging energy efficiency at the international level.

Closing out the forum will be Eileen Claussen, president of the Pew Center on Global Climate Change. A former assistant secretary of state for oceans and international environmental and scientific affairs, Claussen will speak about the future of energy at the forum.

In addition to individual speakers, the forum will feature two panel discussions. The first panel topic is "Innovation and Technology, " an examination of the role those two factors play in energy efficiency. F. Henry Habicht II, CEO, Global Environment & Technology Foundation, will moderate the discussion by panelists S. Richard Fedrizzi, president, CEO & founding chairman of the U.S. Green Building Council; William Reinert, national manager of the advanced technology group of Toyota Motor Sales, USA; and Douglas Faulkner, principal deputy assistant secretary, energy efficiency and renewable energy, U.S. Department of Energy.

The second panel, "Market vs. Mandate: Who's Getting it Done?" will address different strategies for making sustainable environmental practices a reality. Branko Terzic, director, energy/utilities, Deloitte & Touche LLP will moderate the discussion by Richard L. Sandor, chairman and CEO of the Chicago Climate Exchange, Inc. and Kathleen McGinty, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Environment Protection.

The Energy Efficiency forum is an annual nonpartisan event designed to raise awareness of energy efficiency issues. For more information on this year's forum, visit www.eeforum.net.