Vice Mayor Kristin-JacobsFORT LAUDERDALE - Broward County's Vice Mayor Moderates National Panel on Energy Security and Modernizing Power Infrastructure Broward County Vice Mayor Kristin Jacobs today moderated a panel of national experts on energy security and the need to modernize America's energy grid and transmission lines. Vice Mayor Jacobs hosted the panel in her ro le as Chair of the Energy Subcommittee for the National Association of Counties.

Today's panel featured energy experts from the Western Governors Association, the Edison Electric Institute and the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners. Vice Mayor Jacobs directed a discussion that focused on local government's role in building and replacing transm ission lines and improving the national transmission grid to meet America 's energy needs.

"America 's energy needs are increasing while our national power grid and transmission lines are growing older, which concerns me from an energy security standpoint," Vice Mayor Jacobs said. "We need to invest in thoroughly modernizing and securing how we transm it energy across the country. President Obama understands this with $4.5 billion in Recovery Act investments to improve energy grid performance. There are major green energy job opportunities here for South Florida's economy, as well."

The panel, entitled "Running Power Transmission Lines Across America's Counties: Opportunities and Challenges," is part of the National Association of Counties' 2012 Legislative Conference taking place th is week in Washington, DC.

Considered a leader in environmental issues and policies, Vice Mayor Jacobs currently serves as Chair of the White House National Ocean Council's Governance Coordinating Committee, which advises President Obama on local government perspectives on ocean policy. In 2010, Kristin appeared with u.s. Representative James Oberstar in Washington, DC to encourage Congress to pass the America's Commitment to Clean Water Act, reaffirming our ability to protect our nation's waters. In 2009, she served as a moderator on climate change issues in Washington, DC with key climate and energy leaders from the Obama Administration_ That same year she initiated and hosted thE South Florida Regiona l Climate Change Summit which resulted in a precedent setting regiona l four county compact to address the future impact of climate change in Florida, the first such agreement in the country. She has also testified before the u.S. House of Representatives on water quality issues impacting the nation. Vice-Mayor Jacobs has been a long-time advocate of public transportation, light ra il development, green buildings and green ways, sustainable growth and eco-tourism.