By Dr. John: Today, Thursday, Oct 15, is your chance to attend the final event in The Road to the New Energy Economy, a series of Congressional briefings that focus on the science and technology required to achieve our energy goals. I had a chance to attend an earlier briefing on the important issue of biofuels, and I wanted to share some of my behind-the-scenes interviews with the events’ sponsors and speakers. I hope you enjoy it!

The final briefing is Thursday, Oct 15, from 12:30-1:30, at the Rayburn House Office Building, Room B-338. To RSVP, email EVENTS@DISCOVERMAGAZINE.COM.

One of the projects I’m working on for Discover Magazine is a four-part energy event series on Capitol Hill, sponsored by the National Science Foundation and two professional engineering societies (IEEE and ASME).

Why energy? In short:

“The future of our economy and national security is inextricably linked to one challenge: energy,” President Obama.

Each of the four Capitol Hill events features a scientist and a policy wonk as they present some straight talk–to Hill staffers, media reps, scientists/engineers, business leaders and the general public–on four key energy topics:

Bio Fuels, Energy Storage, Increasing Efficiencies (coming September 17), and Transitional Technologies (October 15).

The live, dynamic discussions are videotaped and packaged with the speakers’ powerpoint presentations. You can view them here on discovermagazine.com.  I promise, you’ll learn a great deal of important information on specific issues of concern to our environment, economy, security and general well-being of our children. You’ll even learn how Dan Nocera from MIT splits water to make fuel and why he believes the best solar storage is photosynthesis (storing solar power has proven to be quite a challenge). See Energy Storage.

Science Cheerleader reporter, Dr. John Ohab, attended one of the events and has some behind-the-scenes video interviews with the panelists, sponsors and me. We’ll get that posted soon.

DISCOVER & the National Science Foundation cordially invite you to attend a special, four-part presentation on Capitol Hill focusing on the science and  technology required to achieve the nation’s energy goals.

“America can be the 21st-century clean energy leader by harnessing the power of alternative and renewable energy.” —President Obama

Series Lineup:

• JUNE 18: BIOFUELS—THE NEXT GENERATION
Featuring chemical engineer George Huber and R. Brooke Coleman, executive director, New Fuels Alliance. Moderated by DISCOVER magazine editor in chief Corey S. Powell.

• July 16: Energy Storage
• September 17: Increasing Efficiency
• October 15: Transitional Technologies

Please join us in the Eisenhower Room of the Capitol Hill Club (300 1st St., SE) from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on June 18 for the first exciting event in this series.

Lunch will be provided.

RSVP by June 17th to: events@discovermagazine.com

Sponsored by IEEE-USA and ASME