The sixth annual Symposium on Energy in the 21st Century, hosted by Cazenovia College, will be held on Friday, April 16, 2010, at The Links at Erie Village in East Syracuse, N.Y. This year’s program will focus on the “The Energy Highway: the efficient, secure, reliable and environmentally sensitive transmission and distribution of electricity.”

Thomas King, president of National Grid USA and executive director of Electricity Distribution & Generation, will be the keynote speaker. Other featured speakers include:

• Frank Murray, president and CEO, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)

• Richard Kessel, president & CEO, New York Public Authority

• Garry Brown, chairman, Public Service Commission

• Carol Murphy, executive director, Alliance for Clean Energy

• Dr. Samir Succar, senior energy analyst, National Resources Defense Council (NRDC)

• Kit Kennedy, council to Air & Energy Program, NRDC

The program will also include greetings from Congressmen Mike Arcuri, Dan Maffei and Bill Owens, as well as Senator David Valesky, vice president pro-tempore of the New York State Senate, Assemblyman William Magnarelli, District 120, and Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney.

Topics to be covered will include: An Overview of Transmission and Distribution, Technologies and Flexible Demand, Power for Jobs - Hydro Power, Energy Efficiency,"Smart Grid;" Security Implications and Cost Allocation, Integrating Renewables into the Grid, and National Energy Initiatives: Stimulus Bill and Loan Guarantee Program.

An award will be presented to Russ Cary, supervisor for the Town of Fenner.

Following lunch and the keynote presentation, symposium attendees may choose one of five tours: SUNY ESF: Wood Chips to Ethanol Process (Syracuse, N.Y.); Fenner Wind Farm (Fenner, N.Y.); Morrisville State Biodigester (Morrisville, N.Y.); Fitzpatrick Nuclear Plant (Scriba, N.Y.); or a new offering, tour the National Grid Distribution & Training Center (Liverpool, N.Y.).

The Symposium is designed for interested citizens as well as professionals. The fee for the program is $40, with discounts offered to students and those with limited income. Breakfast and lunch is included. The fee for tours is $15. For more information or to register online, visit www.cazenovia.edu/energy.