Join the Center for the Integrated Modeling and Analysis of the Gulf Ecosystem (C-IMAGE) and the Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO) for the 2016 Symposium on the Future of Energy Development Off Florida’s Coasts at the Mahaffey Theater in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida March 1-2, 2016.
The main focus of the meeting is to discuss both the prospects for energy consumption in Florida, and sourcing that energy through traditional and alternative energy sectors. The primary source of marine-derived oil and gas in the United States is in the Gulf of Mexico. The U.S. Congress has imposed a moratorium on oil and gas development off Florida’s Gulf coast within 125 miles until the year 2022. Because the industry has extended its reach deeper in the Gulf, there is increasing pressure to lift the moratorium and allow drilling closer to major tourist destinations in Florida. The symposium will explore the future energy demand side, the possibilities for renewables, and the trade-offs of developing oil and gas closer to Florida’s shores.
The symposium will include informative presentations and facilitated panel discussions. Please see below for a draft agenda but check back for updates. The registration fee is $20.00 for non-students and free for students with a valid school ID.
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Tuesday March 1, 2016
8:30-9:00 Coffee and Breakfast
9:00-9:15 Welcome Remarks
We will discuss oil and gas development in the context of Florida’s energy future, and consider alternatives as well as hydrocarbon sources. This will be a neutral forum to present potential factors – Bill Hogarth and Steve Murawski
9:15-10:00 Introduction and Set-up
10:00-12:00 Session 1: Florida’s Energy Portfolio, Past, Present, Future
What are our current energy requirements and how are me meeting them? What are our projected energy needs moving forward?
12:00-1:00 Lunch (provided on site)
1:00-2:00 Invited Speaker
2:00-3:45 Session 2: Florida’s Recent Developments in Energy Exploration & Technology
Industry/Academia: Where have we looked? What’s there?
3:45-4:00 Break
4:00-5:45 Session 3: Environmental Concerns & Oil Spill Response
Catalog MPAs, habitat sensitive areas, potential trajectories, what’s at risk?
5:45-7:00 Reception (Lower Atrium)
Wednesday March 2, 2016
8:00-8:30 Coffee and Breakfast
8:30-8:45 Brief Summary of Tuesday and Agenda for Wednesday
8:45-10:45 Session 4: Economics and Port Development
What are the factors that influence coastal economics? Port communities elsewhere? How would the development of the Port of Tampa impact coastal economics? Other port impacts (Port Everglades, Port Manatee, Panama City, Pensacola, Palm Beach)
10:45-12:45 Session 5: Can Tourism and Oil Industries co-Exist? Summary and Next Steps, Future for Florida’s energy plan
12:45-1:15 Synthesis: Where do we go from here?
Closing Remarks/Adjourn
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