On 18–19 December in Washington DC, Rocky Mountain Institute and Brookings brought together representatives of the top plans aimed at taking the U.S. off oil, as well as top energy and policy experts from around the world. RMI's convening power was on full display, and while the organizations represented were diverse — ranging from the Union of Concerned Scientists to the National Petroleum Council — there was a willingness to discuss and collaborate on potential solutions. According to Lionel Bony, Director of RMI's Office of the Chief Scientist, "What impressed me the most about the Summit was that organizations and people with very different backgrounds were willing to come together and try to find common ground. Oil dependence is a huge issue for the country, so it's critical to have collaboration between all the groups working towards getting the U.S. off oil." Collaboration was indeed key to the Summit, where participants agreed that a focus on transportation efficiency and diversification of our fuel supply are fundamental solutions to U.S. oil addiction. This narrowed focus allowed participants to prioritize important barriers that could be addressed with policy recommendations and have an impact by 2020. The variety of policies identified would require the government to establish a clear long-term vision, enable the infrastructure and vehicle transition to alternative fuels, and reduce America's vulnerability to oil prices. The next phase of RMI's Oil Solutions Initiative is a "Goals and Enablers" memo that is currently being drafted by the Summit participants. A release of the full Summit report accompanied by a press roundtable is also being planned for early March 2009. "We've addressed individual parts of the issue of oil dependence in the past, but now we have the opportunity to truly address the issue holistically, and to implement solutions that address security, economic growth, and environmental concerns as well," said Kristine Chan-Lizardo, Director of RMI's MOVE practice. Chan-Lizardo will continue to lead the combined RMI and Brookings project and serves as the point person for Summit participants. Information about participants and the plans they represent are available here. Please consider supporting this important work by clicking here. Sincerely, Rocky Mountain Institute