November 19, 2007
The Energy and Environmental Technology Applications Center (E2TAC) at the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering hosted the 11th Tech Valley Energy Forum on November 19, 2007. The forum featured guest speakers Patrick Curran, Executive Director of the Energy Association of NYS, and Gavin Donohue, President and CEO of the Independent Power Producers of New York . The speakers discussed the energy and power infrastructure in New York State and how their respective organizations play a role in energy production and consumption. Following the talks was a networking cocktail reception.
To review Gavin Donohue's presentation, please click here.
Patrick J. Curran Patrick J. Curran is currently the Executive Director of the Energy Association of NYS, a non-profit trade association representing the owner/operators of major electric and natural gas infrastructure in New York State. Before Executive Director, Patrick served as the Energy Association's Vice President for Natural Gas Issues and Assistant General Counsel from 1993 to 2005. Prior to his work at the Energy Association, he worked as Legislative Counsel to the Democratic Conference of the New York State Senate from 1979-1989, and First Deputy Counsel to the Minority Leader from 1989-1992. Patrick also served on Governor Eliot Spitzer's Transition Policy Advisory Committee on Energy and the Environment in 2006. He has written widely on energy issues and served on numerous advisory and technical review groups for the NYS Energy research and Development Authority and the NYS Energy Planning Board. Patrick has served as an adjunct instructor in government and political science at the SUNY New Paltz extension program at the Eastern Correctional Facility, and at the College of St. Rose in Albany, NY. Patrick is a Member of the Public Utility Law Committee of the New York State Bar Association, a graduate of the Albany Law School of Union University, and of Butler University.
Mr. Donohue began his tenure at DEC in 1995 when he was appointed Assistant Commissioner responsible for overseeing all legislative and intergovernmental affairs at the agency. He also served two years, from 1996 to 1998, as Senior Deputy Commissioner managing all legislative and media affairs for the agency.
Mr. Donohue began his career in state government in 1989 as a Research Analyst with the New York State Council on Health Care Financing. Mr. Donohue has also served as Assistant Secretary to Governor George E. Pataki and a Campaign Director for the successful $1.75 billion Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act.
From 1993 to 1999, Mr. Donohue served as an Albany County Legislator representing the 15th District and as Deputy Minority Leader for the Albany County Legislature. He holds a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Political Science from Siena College in Loudonville, New York; and attended the State University of New York Nelson A. Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy and Harvard University's, John F. Kennedy School of Government.