Michael P. Maloney presents a discussion titled "How Energy Works" that aims to promote a more rational discussion of U.S. energy policy. He unravels the complexities of energy production and consumption patterns. Maloney discusses the priorities of cheap, clean, and independent energy. He reveals the differences between utility and transportation energy sources and usage. Maloney also addresses the ongoing scientific debates around environmental impacts and how uncertainties influence policy approaches. The goal is to provide a more sophisticated understanding of energy issues and technologies to help inform policy discussions. Maloney's full presentation is given over two 90-120 minute sessions covering utility power, transportation technologies, and climate change.

1. How Energy Works:
Promoting a Rational Discussion
of U.S. Energy Policy
by Michael P. Maloney
2
012 is an election year so we are hearing a great deal about the future direction of U.S. public policy.
Energy will become an increasingly important public policy issue for the next administration. However,
there still seems to be little sophisticated discussion of this critical issue amongst candidates, stakeholders
and the general public. For example, it is quite common in the media to blend transportation and utility en-
ergy together as if they were common forms of energy. In fact, they are apples and oranges in terms of power
generation and consumption, emerging technologies, environmental and policy issues, etc.
In his presentation, How Energy Works, Mr. Maloney unravels the mystery of U.S. and global energy produc-
tion and consumption patterns, and the various technologies commonly but misleadingly bantered about in
the media. First, Mr. Maloney discusses the three priorities behind any rational energy policy: Cheap Energy,
Energy Independence and Clean Energy. While these priorities may often be in conflict, Mr. Maloney pro-
motes a strategy where all three priorities are satisfied to the greatest extent. Second, Mr. Maloney reveals the
difference between utility power and transportation energy in terms of generating sources and consumption
patterns, including an in depth discussion of alternative technologies in each sector.
We cannot engage in a reasonable discussion of energy policy without addressing the current conflict in the sci-
entific community and amongst policy makers regarding the environmental impacts of energy production. Mr.
Maloney walks his audience through the various natural and anthropogenic mechanisms that impact climate,
always with the emphasis on how what we know, or don’t know impacts our approach to energy policy.
After engaging in How Energy Works, the audience should, at a minimum have a much more sophisticated
understanding of energy issues and technologies. This will indeed help promote a more rational discussion of
energy policy and, perhaps, we will see an obvious energy policy for the U.S. emerge from our discussion.
Mr. Maloney’s full presentation is given in two sessions of 1 1/2 to 2 hours each, allowing for discussion.
PART 1 covers the utility energy production and consumption curve, various traditional production sources
and new supply-side technologies. In PART 2, transportation technologies are discussed followed by a discus-
sion of climate change that leads into conclusions about energy policy. Upon request, Mr. Maloney can pro-
vide a single-session, 90 minute condensed presentation.
Mr. Maloney is the former President and Chief Executive Officer of Novinda Corp., a clean coal technology
company spin-out from CH2M HILL. Prior to Novinda, Mr. Maloney established and managed CH2M HILL’s
technology investment and intellectual property portfolios. CH2M HILL is a global environmental engineer-
ing (EPC) firm with 26,000 employees generating $6 billion in annual revenue. While at CH2M HILL, Mr.
Maloney worked on a broad range of technologies including alternative energy, clean coal, oil & gas, nuclear
power and waste containment, biomass to energy, new building materials, and water and wastewater treat-
ment. Mr. Maloney is also a former navy F-14 Tomcat pilot and graduate of the U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons
School (TOPGUN).
© 2012 | Michael P. Maloney maloney01@comcast.net