Gaithersburg, Maryland - March 18, 2010. The Maryland-Asia Environmental Partnership (MD-AEP) is kicking off its Environmental Leadership Series on energy as part of a four-part energy outreach series featuring the Maryland Clean Energy Center. The first forum will showcase top energy companies from the region including Constellation Energy and The Current Group and a senior Science and Technology Officer from the Chinese Embassy. "The goal of this first leadership forum is to showcase the assets of the Maryland Clean Energy Center while also providing insights from top energy experts on approaches to addressing our growing energy needs while also highlighting energy business opportunities in Asia," said Peter Gourlay, President of the MD-AEP. 

The first forum, entitled "Smart-Grid Solutions for Power Delivery and Energy Management," will take place on April 22 in Gaithersburg, MD and is sponsored by Constellation Energy. The forum will feature James L. Connaughton, Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Public and Environmental Policy, Constellation Energy, as the keynote speaker. Mr. Connaughton is the former Chairman at the White House Council on Environmental Quality from 2001-2009. In addition, Ray Gogel, the architect of "SmartGridCity," who is currently Group President and Chief Operating Officer of The Current Group, will provide insights from his leadership on the Smart Grid topic.

Mr. Hongtau Ren, First Secretary for Science and Technology, from the Chinese Embassy in Washington D.C. will discuss US-China energy partnership opportunities.  Asia's increasing energy consumption level is expected to increase by more than 100% by 2025, presenting both challenges and opportunities. "We recognize that Asia has tremendous energy needs and we believe Maryland-based energy companies can help provide holistic solutions," he said Gourlay. "Our mission is to help bridge those U.S. partnerships in China and the rest of Asia," he said.

"We are very pleased to be part of the MD-AEP Environmental Leadership Series,”� said Kathy Magruder, Executive Director of the Maryland Clan Energy Center. We want to take a holistic look at the energy landscape. Our gameplan for this outreach series is to first focus on the power infrastructure, then the energy efficiency in built environment, followed by alternative energy options,”� she said.

For more information and how to register for the event, go to www.mdaep.com or call Peter Gourlay at 443-275-2489.

About The Maryland-Asia Environmental Partnership (MD-AEP):
MD-AEP is a private sector initiative which is mobilizing resources and expertise from private investors and corporations, government agencies and multilateral banks to address Asia's massive energy, water and pollution prevention needs. MD-AEP is a unique catalyst for sustainable environmental solutions providing access to environmental research, technology and services to connect Maryland's lessons-learned, know-how and resources to countries in Asia.  MD-AEP takes a sophisticated approach to its business engagement as we look to bridge Maryland-Asia partnerships from a local country standpoint and solve environmental problems with sustainable business outcomes.

About the Maryland Clean Energy Center:
Created by an act of the Maryland General Assembly in 2008, the Maryland Clean Energy Center (www.mdcleanenergy.org) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to growing the state's clean energy economy. The Center, which is headquartered at the University of Maryland Shady Grove, is working to promote clean energy economic development; encourage deployment of clean energy technologies; assist newly developed technologies through pilot projects; collect, analyze and disseminate industry data; and provide outreach and technical support to further the clean energy industry in Maryland. The Center's program priorities range from technology commercialization and business incubation to workforce development and training, with the expectation these efforts will improve the health economy and environment of the State.

Contact Info: Peter Gourlay, 443-275-2489

Website : The Maryland-Asia Environmental Partnership