Web exclusive posted Feb. 26, 2009, at 4:37 p.m. CST

High ranking U.S. policy officials, members of Congress and former government leaders attended a day-long event in Washington D.C. on Feb. 23 to create a list of principles key to energy policy reform. The National Clean Energy Project forum was organized by the Center for American Progress Action Fund, a progressive think-tank headed by former U.S. President Bill Clinton's former chief of staff, John Podesta.

"Mapping the next steps to wire the U.S. for progress is what this day was all about," Podesta said. "Broad support for transmission and other infrastructure policies will enable businesses and government to make investments that create good jobs, boost economic growth, reduce energy use, and protect the Earth."

Attendees at the forum included: former President Clinton; former Vice President Al Gore; Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.; Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.; Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Chairman Byron Dorgan, D-N.D.; and Secretary of Energy Steven Chu.

As a result of the conference, the group has set forth four key principles deemed necessary in providing a framework for future energy policy. Included is a commitment to invest in new infrastructure to support domestically-produced alternative fuels, including biodiesel and ethanol.

"Developing clean renewable energy is a matter of economic and national security," said Reid, who served as the event's honorary chair. "Many of the stakeholders who play a key role in this movement were in the room today including elected officials, cabinet members, and leaders in industry, labor and the environment. I look forward to our continued partnership to change our nation's energy policy in a way that creates jobs, protects consumers and the environment, and provides reliable power that meets our growing needs."

For a complete list of the conference member's energy policy principles, visit www.nationalenergyproject.org.