WHAT: An international panel of experts on energy, political policy and national security will discuss solutions to America's dependence on foreign oil, the importance of a diversified national energy portfolio, and energy security challenges facing the next presidential administration

WHEN: Friday, Nov. 14, 2008
Roundtable Discussion begins at 9 a.m.
Luncheon begins at 12 p.m.

WHERE: Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel
3400 Paradise Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89169

DETAILS: Recognizing that energy security is a central component of national security, the UNLV Institute for Security Studies (ISS) is launching an Energy Security Policy program with a roundtable discussion, "Reducing U.S. Dependence on Foreign Oil: Lessons from Abroad." The discussion features a diverse panel of international energy policy and scientific experts, including:

o Phil Hutchinson, Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, U.K.
o Tatsuo Masuda, Adviser to the chairman of Japan Petroleum Exploration
o Jack Caravelli, formerly of U.S. Dept. of Energy, National Security Council
o Oliver Hemmers, director, UNLV office of strategic energy programs
o Dennis Pirages, UNLV political science professor

The discussion is free and open to the public. Following the roundtable, the ISS will host a luncheon, during which Caravelli will discuss energy security challenges facing the next presidential administration. Tickets for the luncheon are $40 and can be reserved by contacting Nancy Brune at (702) 939-4659 or by visiting iss.unlv.edu/cesp/registration.

The Energy Security Policy Program seeks to produce research that leads to the pursuit of a balanced and secure national energy strategy. The program will also assess the true costs and challenges of securing access to energy resources and aid policymakers in devising solutions for plentiful, secure, and reasonably priced energy.