International conference brings big names in energy security to the University
The Georgia Journal of International and Comparative Law hosted the conference “Striking the Right Balance: Energy Security in International Law” Friday at Rusk Hall.
William Ostendorff, the Nuclear Regulatory Commissioner, delivered the keynote address to students and professors about the emergence of renewable energy and sustainability for the future.
Rusk Hall and the Georgia Journal of International and Comparative law hosted "Striking the Right Balance: Energy Security in International Law." ELIZABETH STOWELL/Staff
“Given the environmental and economic concerns associated with using energy, I think it’s important for today’s college students to be able to look at some of these issues and hear different sides of the argument,” he said. “They are the ones that are going to be solving these problems tomorrow.”
Ostendorff’s speech was preceded by two panels on nuclear security and safety after Japan’s crisis and on the governance of energy markets and succeeded by a panel on renewable energy.
“After the tsunami tragedy in Japan there’s been a lot of concern about their nuclear plant that was affected,” said Halley Espy, a third year law student and member of the executive board of the International Journal. “That really raised the level of international thinking about the domestic view of nuclear energy.”
The panelists included many distinguished professors, government officials and businessmen from all over the world including Cham Dallas, head of the College of Public Health’s Institute of Health Management and Mass Destruction Defense, and Cyril Pinel, a nuclear counselor from the French Embassy.
Some students were particularly interested in the presentation delivered by Friedo Sielemann, a counselor from the Federal Republic of Germany Embassy.
“I found it very interesting hearing about the renewable energy in Germany and about how they’ve made it both environmentally and self-sustaining,” said Chris Smith, a second year law student from Marietta and member of the International Journal. “They could effectively export that to other countries.”
Caroline McGlamry, a second year law student from Marietta, was impressed by how “supportive” the German community is in terms of going green.
“Europe in general tends to be a little more progressive thinking as far as going green and sustainable energy than the U.S.,” she said.
Speakers at the day-long conference included the Commissioner and nine panelists who were moderated by the members of the International Journal.
