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7:30 am to 8:00 am

Registration

8:00 am to 8:30 am

8:30 am to 10:30 am

Panel Presentations-Technology and Investment- Where we are in the hemisphere.

Which fuels constitute reliable alternatives to gasoline in different regions of the hemisphere? How realistic is the vision of a portfolio of alternative fuels in the marketplace? Who are the key players in the hemisphere and what is their production capacity of biofuels? What are the prospects for inter-American export/import of alternative fuels? What synergies are needed across the region to promote closer collaboration in alternative fuel commercialization?

Moderator: Margaret Cullen, Trade Commissioner Consulate General of Canada  (C )

Panelists: 

• Moises Starkman, Government of Honduras  ( C )
• Brian Dean, Interamerican Ethanol Commission(C)
• Luis M. Kolster,Assistant General Counsel & Director of Public Policy, General Motors Latin America, Africa & Middle East   ( C )
• Dr. Brenda Haendler, Science and Technology Officer and International Energy Coordinator Liaison, Bureau of Economic, Energy and Business Affairs, US Department of State  ( c)

10:30 am to 11:00 am

11:00 am to 11:15 am

US Engagement in the Western Hemisphere Ambassador Craig A. Kelly, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, U.S. Department of State

Break

11:15 am to 12:30 pm

TECHNOLOGY-Roundtable

What is the suite of promising technologies?  How does the cost of alternative fuels compare to that of gasoline? What is the R&D maturity of the production technologies?  What technical barriers at both the production and utilization level prevent such fuels from being widely accepted?  How can those barriers be overcome through collaboration?  What technological gaps exist among countries in the Americas?  What is the potential for technology transfer to close such gaps and how can governments facilitate the process? What are the environmental risks and hazards in the biofuels industry and how can these be mitigated?

Moderator: Dr. George Philippidis, Co-director Energy Business Forum, FIU

Panelists: 

• Joel Velasco, Unica Brazil ( c )
• Lionel Lopez, Technoserve  (c )
• Dr. Lonnie O. Ingram, University of Florida ( c )

12:30 pm to 1:45 pm
Lunch

Keynote Address and Lunch:  Mr. Robin Speer, VP Public Affairs, Canadian Renewable Fuels Association ( c )

1:45 pm to 3:00 pm

INVESTMENT-Roundtable

What are the key obstacles to commercialization from an investment prospective?  What investment is required to expand alternative fuel capacity, production levels, and distribution? What incentives do countries currently offer? What options are there for financing throughout the region? What are the risks associated with investing in the biofuels industry? What are the best practices for securing investment in this high growth industry? How can business capitalize on and leverage Carbon Credits?

Moderator: Ian McCluskey, WorldCity  (c )

Panelists: 

• David Peebles, ETH BioEnergy(c )
• Craig Frank, Alternative Fuels Americas ( c )
• Kathleen Robbins, Green Microfinance ( c )
• Paul Sardina, Biscayne Equity Partners  ( c )

3:00 pm to 3:15 pm

Break

3:15 pm to 5:15 pm

THE PATH FORWARD- Roundtable

What are the best examples of initiatives being implemented by Foundations, NGO’s, Universities, and development bodies and government agencies such as USAID, USTDA, the UNDP, IICA, OAS, IDB, OLADE to leverage biofuels development for growth in rural areas and as a tool for poverty alleviation? What are the policy, regulatory reform and financing mechanisms necessary for the development of the biofuels industry?

Moderator: Dr. David Bray, Director, Institute for Sustainability Science in Latin America and the Caribbean, Latin American and Caribbean Center, FIU (c)

Panelists: 

• Al Binger, Caribbean Climate Change (c )
• David Luther, Dominican Institute of Integral Development, (IDDI) ( c )
• David Walden, Winrock International ( c )
• Lic. Ana Corbi, Executive Director, Provincial Agency for Sustainable Development (OPDS), Buenos Aires, Argentina ( c )
• Jorge Bendeck-Olivella, National Biofuels Federation, Colombia ( I )

5:15 pm to 5:30 pm

Closing Ceremony

5:30 pm to 7:00 pm

Cocktail reception