2:47 p.m., Nov. 11, 2010----Creating a clean energy economy, a top priority in the state and in the nation, will be the focus of a two-day conference at the University of Delaware in December.

Part of the University's Creating Knowledge-Based Partnerships series, the conference is scheduled on Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 13-14, in John M. Clayton Hall on the Newark campus. Online registration is now open.

The first day will include presentations and panel discussions, and the second day will feature several concurrent workshops.

After a welcome by UD President Patrick Harker, the conference will open Dec. 13 with an overview of themes and objectives by Mike Klein, director of the UD Energy Institute.

Two morning panel discussions are scheduled:

• “Clean Energy and the Global Economy,” including a presentation on “Challenges and Opportunities of a Global Clean Energy Economy” by John Byrne, director of UD's Center for Energy and Environmental Policy; and

• “Creating a Clean Energy Economy in the U.S.,” with a presentation on “The Federal Role in Creating a Clean Energy Economy” by U.S. Sen. Thomas R. Carper.

Luncheon will feature remarks by Ellen Kullman, CEO of DuPont, and Delaware Gov. Jack Markell.

After a special video presentation, two panel discussions will be presented in the afternoon:

• “Creating Delaware's Clean Energy Economy,” with a presentation on “The Building Bocks of Delaware's Clean Energy Economy” by Collin O'Mara, secretary of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control; and

• “The Labor Market for a Clean Energy Economy,” with a presentation on “The Labor Market for Delaware's Clean Energy Economy” by Ed Ratledge, director, and Dan Brown, policy analyst, both of UD's Center for Applied Demography and Survey Research.

On Tuesday, Dec. 14, the day will open with remarks by O'Mara, followed by three concurrent workshops at 9 a.m. on “Transportation in a Clean Energy Economy,” “Accelerating Energy Efficiency” and “Growing Renewable Energy.

A second round of concurrent workshops will be presented at 10:30 a.m. on “Research and Development for Sustainable Growth,” “Creating Clean Energy Businesses and Jobs” and “Challenges on the Path to a Clean Energy Economy.”

The conference will conclude with a plenary roundtable at noon, focusing on “Strategies for Delaware's Clean Energy Economy.”

For more information, including the full agenda and registration information, visit www.udel.edu/partnerships.