Energy efficiency, the fifth fuel?
November 8th 2007

The role of energy efficiency in reaching a low carbon economy is so important that it should be considered as a "fifth fuel," a US energy industry expert is expected to say at a key climate lecture.

At the inaugural Platts Lecture on “Climate, Energy, and the Climate for Energy,” Duke Energy Chairman, President and CEO Jim Rogers is to discuss his view of energy efficiency as a valuable “fifth fuel,” to complement coal, nuclear, natural gas and renewable generation and challenge the energy industry to “build a bridge to a low-carbon economy.”

At the lecture in New York City Rogers will discuss his view of energy efficiency as a valuable “fifth fuel,” to complement coal, nuclear, natural gas and renewable generation. He also plans to discuss the important role of advanced new technologies in addressing climate change and overall sustainability.

“As a major energy provider in the Americas, Duke Energy has a special responsibility, as do all carbon emitters, to find real and lasting solutions to the issue of global climate change,” said Rogers.

In addition to his leadership role at Duke Energy, Rogers served as 2006-2007 chairman of the Edison Electric Institute, the national association for investor-owned electric companies. He also spearheaded Duke Energy’s participation in the U.S. Climate Action Partnership, a coalition of businesses and other groups calling for nationwide limits on CO2 emissions.

He is co-chair of two energy efficiency organizations – the Alliance to Save Energy and the National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency. In September, he joined eight utility-industry CEOs at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York to make a major commitment to increase energy efficiency.

“The issues facing energy providers today are far different from those of a decade ago,” said Platts President Victoria Chu Pao. “Sustainability, carbon emissions and security of supply, sometimes in conflict with each other, all have moved to the top of the list of the concerns facing the energy industry’s leaders.

“Mr. Rogers has tackled all of these problems at Duke Energy, and we’re excited to be able to hear his views on climate, energy and the climate for energy.”

Gene Sperling, former White House National Economic Advisor, will join Rogers to deliver a Platts Lecture Nov. 29, before the ninth annual Platts Global Energy Awards event that evening. The lecture series aspires to raise the level of global energy industry debate, creating the definitive forum for the examination of serious long-term issues facing the world’s energy businesses and policy-makers.

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