Luncheon on Renewable Energy Cites Waste as Good Business

Mardi and Anna Carin from the Beyond Blond team report on today’s working luncheon on Waste Water and Renewable Energy, hosted by the Consul General;

Fifteen movers and shakers in the California and Swedish “know” on biofuels and renewable energy joined us today for a lively discussion on related topics, including the synergy between California and Sweden, and opportunities for cooperation. The luncheon was held in the Swedish residence in Beverly Hills to introduce the principals from the Swedish Environmental Research Institute (IVL) who have been visiting California the past few days to attend a round of meetings both in San Diego, in conjunction with Swedish American Entrepreneurial Days, and in Los Angeles. Anna Carin, who is the Swedish Consulate’s expert on energy and environmental matters, highlighted the “Memorandum of Understanding” (MoU) signed between Sweden and California in 2006. There was a general consensus that it has stimulated an unprecedented exchange of knowledge and cooperation in this area and has opened the doors for Swedish companies with the technology know-how to do business in California. In fact, several new ventures are in process or have recently started up. Mike Mullen, senior analyst on energy and the environment at Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa’s office commented that local renewable energy is vitally important and ambitious new goals for Los Angeles include that 20 percent of energy consumption will be from renewable sources. Mardi will continue the reporting tomorrow...