The Office of Energy Development (OED) is pleased to announce that Dr. Arun Majumdar will deliver the keynote address at the First Annual Governor’s Energy Development Summit on February 15, 2012, at the Salt Palace Convention Center.

“Dr. Majumdar is a great fit for the Summit,” said OED Director Samantha Mary Julian.  “His breadth of experience and vision for the future will set an exciting tone for this year’s event.” 

"Dr. Majumdar's visit highlights Utah's importance to the nation's energy independence goals, and we value the opportunity to host such a prominent figure at our first Summit," added Amanda Smith, Energy Advisor to Governor Gary R. Herbert.

"The US has a strong ecosystem for entrepreneurship and for business, with the world’s best financial system and most open capital markets.  If we can leverage the strength of each of these parts in an aligned way, and apply them to work in the energy field, we’ll be unbeatable," said Dr. Majumdar.

Dr. Majumdar the Acting Undersecretary of Energy, U.S. Department of Energy.  He is also the Director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), which focuses on transformational energy research and development.  Prior to joining ARPA-E, Dr. Majumdar was the Associate Laboratory Director for Energy and Environment at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and a Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley.  He received his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, in 1985, and his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1989.

The Governor’s Energy Development Summit will highlight Governor Herbert’s focus on ensuring Utah’s ability to continue to develop Utah’s access to clean and low cost energy resources.   Experts from industry, academia, and government will be on hand to deliver presentations on topics ranging from conventional, unconventional, renewable, and energy efficiency development opportunities.  Governor Herbert is set to speak during an 8:00 a.m. breakfast, and Dr. Majumdar will deliver his keynote speech during the 12:00 p.m. lunch session.   

For more information or to register, please visit www.energy.utah.gov.