The Antelope Valley Times

Your community. Your issues. Your news.

  • Home
  • Latest News
  • Local
    • Palmdale
    • Lancaster
    • Los Angeles County
    • Littlerock
    • Lake Los Angeles
    • Rosamond
    • Edwards AFB
    • Acton
  • Crime
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Health
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Advertise
    • About
    • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    Show Search

Mayor attends World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi

by The AV Times Staff • January 16, 2012

(L to R) Beautiful Earth CEO Lex Heslin, Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jabar, and Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris.

ABU DHABI – Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris and the Lancaster delegation arrived in Abu Dhabi Sunday for the World Future Energy Summit (WFES).

Initially, Parris met with Lex Heslin, President and CEO of City partner Beautiful Earth.

(L to R) Parris, Kazuo Furukawa, and Lex Heslin.

Beautiful Earth has an approved 50 megawatt development in Lancaster with a Power Purchase Agreement with the City and a pending Interconnect agreement with Southern California Edison (SCE).

On Sunday evening, Parris and Beautiful Earth hosted a meeting with Kazuo Furukawa, Chairman of Japan’s largest public R&D management organization, the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).

Among the topics discussed was a greater role for NEDO and Japan in the Smart Sister Cities Coalition, of which Lancaster is a charter member. Smart Sister Cities is establishing an international coalition of cities who will commit to and have a plan to become net zero cities, which will produce as much clean energy as the city consumes.  Member cities will share their knowledge and research, as well as facilitate and secure funding and investment for their communities.

Prior to addressing the Summit on Tuesday regarding “Transforming Cities: Establishing Sustainable Communities,” Parris and the delegation attended the opening session of the Summit, which featured keynote addresses by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki- Mon and China’s Premier Wen Jiaboa.

In touring the Exhibit Halls and corporate and government displays, Parris was able to meet with several firms and dignitaries, most notable of which was Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jabar, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, a city which is currently being built to encompass Abu Dhabi’s multifaceted approach to Renewable Energy.

Al Jabar invited the Mayor to a private VIP reception at the Emirates Palace Resort to meet with UAE Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahan to discuss Lancaster energy initiatives and the Smart Sister Cities Program.

One of Masdar’s central initiatives is the WFES, with the goal of bringing together the foremost minds from government, academia, and industry to promote and establish renewable energy worldwide.

“Even after a very short time here, it is crystal clear that renewable, clean, and sustainable energy is vital to the economic and environmental well-being of all countries,” said Parris. “This is a goal that transcends cultural, political, and national boundaries.”

Lex Heslin, President and CEO of Beautiful Earth commented on Lancaster and the Antelope Valley’s importance to the future of sustainable energy initiatives.

“Lancaster and the Antelope Valley are critical to the energy future of California and the United States,” said Heslin. “The Antelope Valley is the documented best location in the country for solar energy generation.  I firmly believe that Lancaster will lead the nation in many solar energy and other sustainability initiatives.”

(Information via press release from the City of Lancaster.)

Filed Under: Lancaster

Recent Comments

  • Rollover on Man dies after rollover crash on 14 Freeway in Lancaster: “The driver won’t be making back to Compton.” Mar 8, 21:33
  • Shawn Ashton Sykes on Man found dead in Lancaster [update: possible hit-and-run]: “Really need a place to live, will be homeless soon.” Mar 8, 15:42
  • Lily on Op-ed: A poll to fit a narrative: “Most of the people including myself that have been victims of violence don’t care what side you’re on or your…” Mar 8, 15:27
  • Donna on Man dies after rollover crash on 14 Freeway in Lancaster: “Because they drive like morons…just chill out.” Mar 8, 15:17
  • Olga on Op-ed: A poll to fit a narrative: “No whining or complaining whatsoever, no opinion pieces, no white papers from the Association of Deputy District Attorneys, regarding the…” Mar 8, 13:15

© 2021 · The Antelope Valley Times. All rights reserved. Terms of Use