Rocky Mountain Institute Launches Reinventing Fire in Nation's Capital

WASHINGTON, Oct. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) today unveiled its anticipated book and strategic imperative, Reinventing Fire: Bold Business Solutions for the New Energy Era, at the National Geographic Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Built on RMI's 30 years of research and work in the field, this peer-reviewed book's thesis offers a blueprint for a business-led transition from a fossil fuel-based economy to one based on renewables, saving $5 trillion without requiring new federal taxes, subsidies, mandates, laws or policy innovations that call for Acts of Congress.

"Rather than investing in the status quo, America's business leaders have a prime opportunity now to make smart choices and create the core industries of the new energy era," said RMI Chairman and Chief Scientist Amory Lovins. "Reinventing Fire is a practical guide to a more competitive U.S. economy that identifies opportunities for job creation and growth for the nation."

During a public release at the Grosvenor Auditorium today, Boyd Matson, leading on-air journalist for National Geographic, moderated a lively discussion with prominent energy, economic and industry experts. The panel focused on driving economic opportunity and competitiveness through efficiency and renewables, enhancing national security by weaning ourselves off fossil fuels and revitalizing an aging, centralized electricity system, and investing in innovations that will create the new core industries of the 21st century. Panelists included:

• RMI Co-founder, Chairman and Chief Scientist Amory Lovins
• SunPower founder and CTO Thomas Dinwoodie
• Guggenheim Securities Senior Managing Director and automotive expert John Casesa
• Stephen Brand, former SVP of Technology at ConocoPhillips

"Fossil fuels have built our modern economy. But, we've reached the tipping point where alternatives carry lower risk to our economy, national security and environment," Dinwoodie said. "Across all energy uses, efficiency and renewables now offer risk averse, competitive and reliable replacements for fossil fuel. Rapidly scaling these solutions will define winners and losers among firms—and among nations."

More specifically, panelists discussed:

• How the private sector can leverage market forces to create a more competitive clean energy economy.
• How this transition can be applied to transportation, buildings, industry and electricity.
• How a new focus on renewable energy can create jobs, enhance our quality of life, improve national security and boost the economy.
• How to end Washington gridlock and win the global clean energy race.

Visit www.reinventingfire.com for more information.

About Reinventing Fire

Reinventing Fire is a practical, actionable guide to a more competitive U.S. economy by 2050 that shows opportunities for job creation and growth for the nation, ending our addiction to fossil fuels with the power of efficiency and renewables. Whether you care most about profits and jobs, national security, or public health and environmental stewardship, Reinventing Fire makes sense and makes money.

About Rocky Mountain Institute

Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) is an independent, entrepreneurial, nonprofit think-and-do tank. RMI emphasizes integrative design, advanced technologies, and mindful markets in fulfilling its mission to drive the efficient and restorative use of resources. RMI's strategic focus is to map and drive the U.S. transition from fossil fuels to efficiency and renewables by 2050.

SOURCE Rocky Mountain Institute