Energy Conferences
Energy Conferences
Energy Conferences
The Sweeney Center made energy a centerpiece of its public policy portfolio, focusing on solutions to expand New Jersey's energy generation capacity in the most cost-effective ways while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Sweeney Center launched ROWEC (Rowan Energy Collaborative) to coordinate energy-related research, workforce development, education, policy and partnership programs throughout Rowan, South Jersey's dominant research university. The Sweeney Center has hosted six energy conferences since 2023 featuring top government leaders, industry executives, environmentalists, academics and policy experts.
Expanding New Jersey’s Nuclear Generation Capacity
June 9, 2026
The Sweeney Center's second Nuclear Energy conference, held on June 9. 2-26, featured five members of Governor Sherrill's recently created Nuclear Policy Task Force: Co-Chair Christine Guhl-Sadovy of the NJ Board of Public Utilities, NJ Environmental Protection Commissioner Ed Potosnak, NJ Economic Development Authority CEO Evan Weiss, PSEG Nuclear President Charles McFeaters and Patrick O'Brien, Holtec's Director of State Government Affairs & Communications. The conference also highlighted early findings from ROWEC's nuclear energy study funded by a State Policy Lab grant.
Conference Videos & Presentations
Welcome and Panel 1
- Ed Potosnak, Commissioner, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection [slides]
- Evan Weiss, Chief Executive Officer, New Jersey Economic Development Authority [slides]
- Joseph Coviello, Commissioner, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
- Mark Magyar, Director, Steve Sweeney Center for Public Policy (moderator)
Panel 2
- Charles McFeaters, President and Chief Nuclear Officer, PSEG Nuclear [slides]
- Senator John Burzichelli (D-3rd District)
- James Wyble III, Vice President, Americas Region, Westinghouse, and lead for AP1000 project development in North America [slides]
- Steve Sweeney, Chair, Steve Sweeney Center for Public Policy (moderator)
Panel 3
- Patrick O’Brien, Director of Government Affairs and Communications, Holtec [slides]
- Assemblyman Gregory Myhre (R-9th District)
- Victor Ibarra, Senior Manager, Advanced Nuclear Technology, Clean Air Task Force [slides]
- Erick Ford, President, New Jersey Energy Policy Coalition
- Bob Gordon, Vice President, Stevens & Lee Public Affairs (moderator)
Keynote Luncheon Speech
- Christine Guhl-Sadovy, President, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
- Introduction by Anthony Lowman, Ph.D., Chancellor
Panel 4
- Howard Miller, Chief of Business Services, NJ Department of Labor & Workforce Development
- Daniel Cosner, President, Southern New Jersey Building Trades and Construction Council
- Joe Checkley, International Representative, IBEW
- Yolanda Mack, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Industry Partnerships and Workforce Development, Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering [slides]
- Ken Robell, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Salem Community College [slides]
- Marie Casanova, Director of the Green Jobs Academy, Rowan University (moderator) [slides]
Panel 5
- Dr. Elizabeth Cooner, Executive Director, State Policy Lab, Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (Introduction)
- Eddie Guerra, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Strategic Sustainability & Engagement, School of Earth & Environment
- Christopher Peters, Ph.D., Associate Teaching Professor, Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering
- Ethan Cantor, PH.D. student, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering [slides]
- Daniel Carrasco, M.A. student, Public Policy, Ric Edelman College of Communication, Humanities & Social Sciences [slides]
- Fiona Currie, senior Accounting student, Rohrer College of Business, Martinson Honors College [slides]
- Ladarion Hardison, M.A. recent graduate, Urban and Regional Planning, with concentration in Geospatial Science and Methods, School of Earth & Environment [slides]
- Maximilian Owens, recent graduate, Economics major, Ric Edelman College of Communication, Humanities & Social Sciences [slides]
Meeting New Jersey’s Energy Needs: Clean Energy, Supply and Demand
February 27, 2025
Future of Nuclear and Hydrogen Energy
October 23, 2023
Rowan University hosted “The Road to Zero Emissions: The Future of Nuclear and Hydrogen Energy in New Jersey,” a conference sponsored by the Steve Sweeney Center for Public Policy.
Sweeney Center Conference on Offshore Wind
May 3, 2023
The Sweeney Center’s conference, “The Road to Zero Emissions: The Future of Nuclear and Hydrogen Energy in New Jersey,” was the second major energy conference sponsored by the Sweeney Center, following its May 3, 2023, conference on “Offshore Wind Technology in New Jersey: Sustainability, Emerging Markets and Policy.”