Jay Hakes, author of the new book, A Declaration of Energy Independence, will talk about how America got into its current energy predicament and how to get out of it at a series of lectures on Sept. 11 and 12 at Arizona State University.

The former director of the Energy Information Administration at the U.S. Department of Energy will discuss the national security, economic, and environmental aspects of energy at 3 p.m. Sept. 11 in Room 481 of ASU’s Global Institute of Sustainability in Tempe. This lecture, “A Declaration of Energy Independence,” is presented by the Wrigley Lecture Series on Sustainability and co-hosted by ASU’s School of Public Affairs. For information, call (480) 965-2975.

On Sept. 12 at 4 p.m., Hakes will provide further comments on trends in U.S. energy policy at an ASU School of Public Affairs Research Colloquium in Conference Room 822A at ASU’s University Center, 411 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. The Colloquium is open to the public and no RSVP is required. For information, contact Evie Holmgren at (602) 496-0450 or e-mail evie.holmgren@asu.edu.

“My research on how previous presidents have handled energy problems provides important clues on what kind of leadership we need in the future to reduce the risks of dependence of Persian Gulf Oil and global warming,” said Hakes, who currently serves as executive director of the Jimmy Carter Library and Museum in Atlanta.

Hakes has testified before congressional committees 26 times on energy issues and is frequently cited by the national news media.

ASU’s School of Public Affairs offers innovative educational and professional opportunities to help build stronger and more effective public leaders. The school, located in the College of Public Programs in Downtown Phoenix, focuses on public administration, public policy, urban affairs and leadership studies. It is consistently ranked among the top 25 public affairs schools in the country, and its programs in public administration and urban management are both ranked in the top 10 nationally. For information, visit http://spa.asu.edu.

The Global Institute of Sustainability is the hub of ASU’s sustainability initiatives. The Institute advances research, education and business practices for an urbanizing world. Its School of Sustainability, the first of its kind in the US, offers transdisciplinary degree programs that advance practical solutions to environmental, economic, and social challenges. For information, visit the Global Institute of Sustainability at http://sustainability.asu.edu.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Corey Schubert at (602) 496-0406 or e-mail Corey.Schubert@asu.edu;

Karen Leland at (480) 965-0013 or e-mail Karen.Leland@asu.edu.