October has been Energy Awareness Month since a presidential proclamation in 1991.  For more than 20 years now, multiple groups have observed this month with activities and programs to promote public understanding of our energy needs and to reduce energy consumption in our everyday lives. We had our share of events this month that targeted audiences from school kids (Renewable Energy Awareness Day) to policy makers, businesses and energy professionals (Governor's Energy Summit). Additionally, we conducted the Renewable Energy Venture Development Academy (REVDA) in Washington, D.C., in conjunction with RETECH 2012 international conference. It was exciting to see such a diverse group of individuals in the REVDA session, who came from as far away as the Czech Republic and Spain. One of the attendees from Virginia, who is an entrepreneur and heads a nonprofit organization, dubbed the workshop as, "A biomass MBA in a day."  

We talked a good bit about energy policy during the workshop, and there was certainly a lot of policy discussion at RETECH, as well as at a meeting I attended in early October, also in Washington, D.C. The latter, invitation-only meeting, was hosted by the Pew Charitable Trusts and brought together energy leaders from around the country. With the energy sector so heavily dependent on policy and the presidential elections just a few days away, I wanted to share some thoughts about where we are headed. "When it comes to building a secure energy future for the United States, there is more at stake than meets the eye. Safe, reliable and affordable sources of energy are vital not only to our personal mobility and comfort, but also to our nation's productivity and security." These were the words of President George H. W. Bush as he proclaimed October to be the National Energy Awareness Month, 21 years ago.  Proclamation 6336 goes on to state, "Our comprehensive National Energy Strategy calls for the wise and effective development of all of our nation's energy resources, including coal, natural gas and nuclear energy, as well as hydroelectric power and other forms of renewable energy. It also calls for the development of new technology for oil and gas exploration; increased use of alternative fuels; and aggressive conservation efforts."  

These words could just as well have been uttered by President Barack Obama when he was inaugurated or could be recited verbatim at the 2013 inaugural speech, by President Romney... or again by Obama. Sadly enough, in 1974, when only 36.1 percent of oil was from foreign sources, President Richard Nixon said, "At the end of this decade, in the year 1980, the United States will not be dependent on any other country for the energy we need."  

The presidential elections come every four years like the Olympics, but I wish picking a winner in the elections is as simple and objective as it is in the Olympics. There is no guarantee that the best candidate wins and, consequently, whoever gets the job, usually is in for criticism that is typically doled out from people at the both ends of the political spectrum.  A look at the energy policy platforms for both Obama and Romney indicates that neither candidate is still thinking of a long term, comprehensive energy policy for our country, even though we have been talking about it for decades now.  

Energy is a fundamental need in any well-developed economy and we take it for granted that a limitless amount is at our disposal in our efforts to sustain life, maintain our liberty and pursue happiness.   The only source of energy that has been here since the beginning of earth, and predicted to last a few more billion years, is our Sun. Before you think that I am proposing that we all jump on board the solar energy wagon, I want to remind our readers that practically all other forms of energy are derived from the sun as well. Logically speaking: No sun = no photosynthesis = no biomass (and that includes the oil and gas formed millions of years ago). No sun = no weather patterns = no hydro or wind! Nuclear energy is somewhat unique in that it is not directly dependent on the sun's thermal energy. The question then becomes: What is the best way to harness the sun's energy that gives us more BTUs in one hour than an entire year's global energy consumption - and then some? We will be using coal, oil and gas for many years to come, but these are still finite resources in the grand scheme of things, and I hope the policy makers on both sides of the aisle can agree to work together to lead us to a better energy future in the United States and provide energy technology leadership around the globe.

With that, I urge you to please vote on November 6 if you are eligible to! It is important and it is your civic duty.

Sumesh Arora, Ph.D.