Ambassador Carlos Pascual and Ali Zaidi, White House, to Address Attendees

Washington, D.C. (March 4, 2014) – Today, the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) announced the keynote speakers for the International Geothermal Showcase 2014. Ambassador Carlos Pascual, Special Envoy and Coordinator for International Energy Affairs, U.S. Department of State and Ali Zaidi, Deputy Director for Energy Policy, White House Domestic Policy Council will address attendees at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C. this Earth Day 2014 (Tuesday, April 22).

The one-day program will showcase geothermal projects, trends and governmental policies in the U.S. and around the world. Topics covered will include: the geothermal market today, major public funding entities, how to address and reduce geothermal project risk, projects under development in the U.S. and internationally, outlook for the future of the geothermal market, policies driving geothermal development and more.

"Attendees should prepare for an engaging day-long discussion shaped by the deep energy experience of these two policy leaders," said GEA Executive Director Karl Gawell. "Together, they will guide attendees of the GEA International Geothermal Showcase in looking within and without the United States for ways forward in geothermal energy development and policy."

The day will open with a Keynote Address by Ambassador Pascual, who serves as Special Envoy and Coordinator for International Energy Affairs for the U.S. Department of State. Ambassador Pascual has more than two decades of high level diplomatic and academic experience and is a leading expert in addressing the centrality of energy issues to our national interests and to the conduct of U.S. foreign policy. Previously, he served as United States Ambassador to Mexico.

Zaidi will deliver the Afternoon Keynote Address. Zaidi has served in a number of roles within the Obama Administration, where he currently handles a wide range of policy issues related to supply of and demand for energy as Deputy Director for Energy Policy, White House Domestic Policy Council. An energy policy specialist, he previously served as special assistant to the Secretary of Energy.

The program will also host the following international leaders including Jorg Baumgartner, Managing Director, Bestec; Horst Kreuter, Director, Geothermal Power Tanzania; Sanusi Satar, Senior Management Representative, Star Energy Holding Ltd.; Eng. Stanley Kamau, Director, Public Private Partnership (PPP) Unit, Ministry of Finance, Kenya; Dr. Silas Simiyu, Managing Director, Geothermal Development Company; Gosaye Mengistie Abayneh, Director, Energy Studies and Development, Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy, Ethiopia; Dr. Markus O. Häring, Geo Explorers Ltd.; Hiroshi Asanuma, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST); and more.

For more information or to register, please visit http://www.geo-energy.org/events/April_22_2014_International%20GEA_Forum.aspx. For questions regarding sponsorships, please contact Kathy Kent at Kathy@geo-energy.org.

To request press credentials, please contact Shawna Seldon, The Rosen Group, 917 971 7852 or shawna@rosengrouppr.com.

About the Geothermal Energy Association:

The Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) is a trade association comprised of U.S. companies that support the expanded use of geothermal energy and are developing geothermal resources worldwide for electrical power generation and direct-heat uses. GEA advocates for public policies that will promote the development and utilization of geothermal resources, provides a forum for the industry to discuss issues and problems, encourages research and development to improve geothermal technologies, presents industry views to governmental organizations, provides assistance for the export of geothermal goods and services, compiles statistical data about the geothermal industry, and conducts education and outreach projects. For more information, please visit www.geo-energy.org. Subscribe to GEA's newsletter here. Follow GEA on Twitter. Become a fan on Facebook.