The petroleum industry will be among those represented at the first annual Florida Energy Summit Oct. 26-28 in Orlando. | Credit: Christian Lagerek - Shutterstock

By Friday afternoon, more than 440 people had signed up to attend the first annual Florida Energy Summit Oct. 26-28 in Orlando -- with 46 sponsors exhibiting in the trade show and plenty of time for those numbers to grow significantly.

Jay Levenstein, deputy commissioner at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Comsumer Services, predicted attendees easily will outnumber the 500 who showed up two years ago at the department's Farm to Fuel Summit. "This is going to be huge," Levenstein said.

The Florida Energy Summit is a direct result of the Legislature's vote last session to transfer the Energy and Climate Commission into the Department of Agriculture.

Now, instead of the more narrowly focused Farm to Fuel Summit, a successful Ag Department venture for the past five years, the Florida Energy Summit brings together a wider collection of stakeholders working to "create and advance policy to further the development of the state's energy industry."

Said Levenstein, "We're convinced participation at the new Florida Energy Summit will exceed all other years and we're really looking forward to it." He said the event is attracting leaders from the energy development, energy provider, agricultural, government, academic and financial communities.

Perhaps the event's signature session is "Florida Energy Policy" at 9 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 27. It's a panel discussion moderated by Patrick Sheehan, director of the Office of Energy. Speakers include state Rep. Seth McKeel, R-Lakeland; Art Graham, chairman of the Public Service Commission; Dr. Mary Bane, adviser on energy policy in the office of Gov. Rick Scott; and Jim Murley, interim executive director, South Florida Regional Planning Council.

One of the key speakers is Michael Lynch, managing director of NASCAR Green Innovation. This year at the Daytona 500, NASCAR put all 43 cars in the race on a "green" fuel called E15.

Other sessions include panel discussions on green jobs, sustainability: water and land use, local government initiatives, renewable energy technologies, a balanced solution for Florida's energy future, solar, the future of alternative vehicles, federal policy -- with a welcome by Adam Putnam.

The summit will take place at Orlando's Rosen Shingle Creek. Click here for a copy of the Energy Summit Registration, and here for a copy of the Energy Summit Agenda.

Reach Nancy Smith at nsmith@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
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