The Task Force on the Future of American Innovation and the Science Coalition held a press conference this morning on “Fueling America’s Future”–the importance of federal funding for basic energy research. While both groups support a broad basic research agenda, this event emphasized the need for basic research in energy to solve America’s energy crisis. The event, held at the National Press Club, took place before a standing room only crowd. The four speakers were:

• MIT President Susan Hockfield
• Dupont Senior Vice President and Chief Science and Technology Officer Uma Chowdhry
• Intersil Corporation President, CEO, and Director David Bell
• Nobel Laureate and Director of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Steven Chu

The speakers all called for an increase in funding for basic energy research and for the next President to take bold action to keep the US competitive in new technologies and discoveries in alternative energy sources. Each of the distinguished speakers brought their own take to the issue, but all spoke to the common goal of energy independence and reducing fossil fuel consumption while helping the environment.
Also featured at the event was a petition signed by over 70 organizations (including CRA) to the two Presidential candidates to focus on basic energy research in the White House to ensure America’s long-term security.
A recording of the event will be available on either the Task Force or Science Coalition website soon. We’ll have the link here when it appears.
Update: Watch the full press event here.