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Secretary of Energy: U.S. needs alternatives

Sep 15 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Tim Trainor The Montana Standard, Butte

cRising oil prices and a declining supply will create an enormous problem in the U.S. unless other energy sources are found and made affordable, Secretary of Energy Steven Chu said Tuesday in Butte.

"We will live in a carbon-constrained world," he said.

With that kind of outlook toward future energy markets, it's no wonder Chu is pushing alternatives.

In his speech before the Montana Economic Development Summit at Montana Tech, he said energy projections show the U.S. has about a 14-year supply of undiscovered crude. Chu advocated wind, hydro, and even coal-fired power to help supply the next generations of energy needs.

"We are in a race to develop the clean energy technologies the world will need," he said.

Chu suggested Montana invest in energy storage systems which could work in conjunction with the state's wind and water resources.

He said research and development laboratories across the country should take more risks and try for that "game-changing home run" that solves some of these outstanding issues.

Audience members in the renewable energy industry asked for federal support for their burgeoning fields. Chu said innovation and invention are needed to improve technology, so their products become an affordable option for the future.

GOVERNOR INTERVIEWS DISNEY CEO

Also on Tuesday, the conclusion of the two-day summit, Gov. Brian Schweitzer interviewed Bob Iger, president and CEO of The Walt Disney Co., in a conversational format. They talked about the future of entertainment and how Montana can attract more film production.

Iger said the way people entertain themselves is changing, with the iPad, video phones and 3-D movies, but that those new technologies are just making things better.

He sidestepped attempts by Schweitzer to pin the CEO down on making more films in Montana.

Iger said that was becoming more of a possibility with filmmaking moving out of California at a record pace. With the right subsidies and film offices, Montana could compete for a number of high-profile projects, he said.

- Reporter Tim Trainor may be reached via e-mail at tim.trainor@lee.net or call 496-5519.