Columbia Residents to Take Part in Town Hall on Energy
ConocoPhillips and the U. of Md. Energy Research Center
to Call on Region for Insight into America's Energy Future

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2007

Columbia, Md.—How Maryland and the United States will meet growing energy needs in the future will be the topic of conversation at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 25, in Columbia, at a town hall meeting co-hosted by the University of Maryland Energy Research Center (UMERC) and ConocoPhillips. The town hall meeting will be held at the Sheraton Columbia Hotel, located at 10207 Wincopin Circle.

Residents will discuss Maryland's and the nation’s energy future as part of a Conversation on Energy, a public outreach program that invites attendees to ask questions and share their ideas on energy solutions that are secure, reliable, available and environmentally responsible.

ConocoPhillips' representatives and leaders active in renewable energy and energy efficiency, business and industry, the environment and conservation initiatives will provide their views on topics including renewable fuels, alternative energy sources, energy efficiency and conservation, as well as traditional oil and gas development and consumption. Local and statewide business, community and industry associations will participate as partners for the meeting.

Prof. Greg Jackson, chair of the UMERC steering committee, A. James Clark School of Engineering, will serve as moderator for the town hall meeting. "The University of Maryland Energy Research Center takes seriously our role as leaders to explore and promote ways toward a more sustainable energy infrastructure," said Dr. Jackson. "In this regard, we strive to provide students the proper educational and research opportunities to tackle the great challenges involving energy, sustainability and environmental responsibility."

The University of Maryland Energy Research Center (UMERC) is a multidisciplinary initiative dedicated to advancing the frontiers of energy science and technology, with a special focus on forward-looking approaches for alternative energy generation and storage. The Center will initially focus on four principal areas of energy technology research; it will also undertake research in energy policy and economics and educational programs. Additional information can be found at www.mtech.umd.edu/UMERC/.

Columbia is the 26th of 35 stops on ConocoPhillips' nationwide "listening tour." The town hall meetings foster an open forum for citizens to express their opinions about energy issues and topics, as well as to gain feedback from local and national experts.

ConocoPhillips is an integrated petroleum company with interests around the world. For more information, go to www.conocophillips.com. Additional information on the Conversation on Energy tour can be found at the official tour Web site, www.conocophillips.com/energy. Registration for the town hall meeting is available online at www.conocophillips.com/energy/rsvp, or by phone at 1-888-877-5917.

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