U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz today announced Charles B. Curtis as the third recipient of the James R. Schlesinger Medal for Energy Security. When the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) were established on October 1, 1977, Schlesinger and Curtis were appointed by President Carter as the first DOE Secretary and FERC Chairman, respectively. Later, Mr. Curtis served as Under Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and Acting Secretary of Energy during the Clinton Administration. He was a founding partner of the law firm Van Ness, Curtis, Feldman and Sutcliffe and was instrumental in launching important non-governmental organizations as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the United Nations Foundation and as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI). The ceremony will be held at the U.S. Department of Energy in Washington D.C. on January 13, 2017.
Three important elements of energy security in the 21st century are transparent well-functioning energy markets, increased integration of electricity with information technology and other key infrastructures, and secure nuclear materials and facilities. Mr. Curtis has contributed substantially in both dimensions through his seminal work at FERC, DOE, and NTI. He has earned universal respect for his contributions to public service and commitment to advancing future leaders in these efforts.
“Charlie Curtis has been at the center of energy policy discussions and nuclear risk reduction for four decades,” said Secretary Moniz. “He helped shape key transitions, from his work on electricity markets during the early years of FERC to his key role in establishing lab-to-lab cooperation after the Soviet Union's collapse, and more recently in his founding role at the Nuclear Threat Initiative. Our nation is stronger and safer today thanks to Charlie’s skill, dedication, and integrity.”
The Schlesinger Medal for Energy Security was inspired by James R. Schlesinger, the first Secretary of Energy whose career focused on economic, security, and energy issues across academia, public service, and industry sectors. First awarded in 2014, this medal honors individuals annually for their distinguished contributions to understanding threats, opportunities, and energy policy choices impacting U.S. domestic and international energy security interests through analysis or practice.
The event details are as follows:
- WHO: Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz; Schlesinger Medal Recipient Charles Curtis
- WHAT: Keynote Remarks by Secretary Moniz; Acceptance Speech by Charles Curtis; Panel on Energy Security
- WHERE: Department of Energy Auditorium; Livestreamed at /live
- WHEN: Friday, January 13, 2016; 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
