Houston City Controller Annise Parker and Young Professionals in Energy, a global network of more than 8,000 young professionals in the energy industry, today announced the 2010 International Energy Conference between the U.S. and China , which will kick off in Beijing this November. Houston will serve as host for a second conference in 2010. “I am honored to have been asked by YPE to make this announcement, said Controller Parker. “ The conference will provide a unique opportunity to engage leaders of government, business and academia from China and the U.S. in dialogue about our mutual interest in resolving today's critical energy issues.”

The U.S. and China are the two largest consumers of energy in the world. They are also the two largest producers of greenhouse gases. In a speech given in July, President Obama called upon us to act in concert noting that without cooperation we cannot reduce our growing dependence on foreign oil or spare our people from the ravages of climate change unless we cooperate. The President said, “the best way to foster the innovation that can increase our security and prosperity is to keep our markets open to new ideas, new exchanges and new sources of energy.”

Several companies with major operations in Houston – Chevron, British Petroleum, ConocoPhillips and Exxon are already working on everything from fuel cell technology to innovations in lithium batteries. In addition, many innovative new energy start-up companies have chosen Houston as their home. “Change is coming and Houston is poised to play a major role in shaping that change,” said Parker. “YPE sees the opportunity before us and recognizes that an important component to our success will be building a bridge with the world's second largest energy consumer. I applaud them for their vision and leadership.”

YPE is formalizing agendas for the two conferences. “Several key representatives from China , including the Director of National Energy Administration, have already agreed to attend,” said Scott Hou, YPE China President and the event coordinator. “Invitations are also being extended to the senior executives of the China-based companies CNOOC, Sinopec and PetroChina as well as major U.S. oil companies, the U.S. Secretary of Energy and similar counterparts in the U.S. ”

The conference in Beijing is scheduled for November 5. A date for the Houston conference will be announced later.

Before serving as an elected officeholder, Parker spent 20 years working in the oil and gas industry. She has accompanied other local officials on several trips to Houston 's sister cities that have strong oil and gas ties, including Shenzhen , China .

From left to right in the photo: YPE Treasurer Will McMullen, YPE Houston Vice President Iann Poole, City Controller Annise Parker, YPE China President Scott Hou, YPE Director of Sponsor Relations Aaron Webb

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