Thank you to all who attended the Energize America panel this morning and for those who had the chance to be there in Second Life ...

This diary will discuss the Energize America panel in overview. In coming days, we will diary the entire presentation in a version of an annotated briefing.

Key points:

* Formation of the Energy Smart Alliance, designed to link the blogosphere and established organizations on energy issues
* Energize America continues to see a path forward, to identify Energy Smart policies for a sustainable and prosperous energy future.
* Energize America is yours and ours. And, you can help. Contribute via diaries, volunteering, otherwise ... Check out EA2020 and figure out how you can contribute to a Smart Energy future.

My name is A Siegel and I am a Carboholic. And, that doesn't relate to eating too many bagels. My last tank fill-up was last Saturday, my last plane flight was three days ago, and my last electricity use was, well, to power up this diary posting. I am a CarboHolic. But, unlike George W. Bush, I (and all others involved in Energize America) seek to get past the first step when it comes to an addiction. I ... We have an addiction. And, we seek to do something about it.

*From Nowhere to Vegas*

Jerome a Paris spoke of how concerns over Peak Oil and Global Warming drove a discussion within the Daily Kos community. And, how this discussion (led by him, Devilstower, and Meteor Blades) transformed from identifying problems to identifying solutions. This led to a 20-point plan to Energize America that the Energize America team presented at Yearly Kos 2006, with Governor Richardson on the panel.

*From Vegas to DC*

DoLittleSoThere began with a passionate call for the importance of the people's voice in determining energy policy. He reviewed the EA2020 plan and its 20 points. Highlighting, most particularly, its holistic nature, covering a full range of issues. That 20-point plan would achieve a 50% cut in projected CO2 emissions ... by 2020, not 2050. That is entirely feasible, provided that the will is there. He then turned to a discussion of post-Vegas and, well, exhaustion. Which turned around in January, when a Kossack interning for Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur got EA2020 visibility within the office. And, the Energize America team went work with Marcy and her staff for developing concepts for legislative action. (Note that Marcy blogged here at Daily Kos re Energize America Wednesday, with what became a recommended diary with over 200 comments, and made easily 30 comments herself with quite open and active participation.)

*Crashing the Hill*

My presentation discussed how Energize America has now taken the paths of Crashing the Hill, developing legislative concepts that are innovative, can be passed with real bipartisan coalitions, signed by George W Bush, and set the stage for a better American future.

From Marcy's wonderful diary,
I hope that you will join me, my Congressional colleagues and the Energize America team as we draft and work to pass energy legislation that truly addresses America’s strategic energy needs. The power of blogs such as the Daily Kos, combined with an objective process, clear objectives and committed volunteers can unleash a new era of ‘citizen-centered’ power to change policy. I hope that you will continue to contribute your time and expertise to topics that concern you. Help enable the future of ‘people-powered politics.’

At the center of Energize America remains the following key points:

In accord with American, Democratic, and democratic values
- Fair: requires effort from all, helps those most at risk
- Market-based: Combines private initiative with clear, long-- term vision
- Common good: Goal is energy policy supporting strategic US interests
- Transparency: Fully open process with equal access
And, these remain Energize America Core Philosophies that drive our activities
- Make the right choice the easy choice
- Contribute new concepts & approaches
- Propose both bold & politically viable solutions
- Leverage all-volunteer effort
*Energize America* remains a citizen driven effort ... and will remain so. Working to help foster for a better future for all of us, all of the US, all Americans ...

In the coming days, each of the presenters will present a longer discussion of their portion of the presentation (like last year) to provide an annotated briefing for discussion.

Ask yourself:Are you doing
your part to
ENERGIZE AMERICA?

Be ready to speak.

*NOTES* Thanks to DemocraticLuntz for liveblogging the presentation earlier. We should have been in the diary with him. Mea culpa.