ROBERT K. DIXON

 Accelerating Clean Energy Investments

Abstract

Decades of investments by governments, the private sector and others in clean energy technologies are making an impact today.    The cost of land-based wind power, utility and distributed photovoltaic (PV) solar power, light emitting diodes (LEDS), and electric vehicles has fallen by 41% to as high as 94% since 2008.   These cost reductions have enabled widespread adoption of these technologies in societies around the world.   Combined, wind utility –scale and distributed PV accounted for over two-thirds of all new capacity installed in the US in 2015.        Total installations of LED bulbs have more than doubled from the prior year, and cumulative EV sales are about to exceed a half million annually.

These technologies are readily available in the US and energy security, economic growth and environmental protection benefits have been reaped.  Economic opportunities for American workers and manufacturers  are being realized.

In recent years, the manufacturing sectors for wind turbines, photovoltaic panels, lithium ion batteries, and LEDs have added over $4 billion dollars in value to the US economy.   Today, a clean energy future has arrived and represents opportunities for societies worldwide.

Biography

Dr. Robert K. Dixon is currently Senior Advisor, Office of International Affairs.     He was formerly, Director, Strategic Programs, US Department of Energy.

From 2008-2015 he was a Lead Investment Banker at The World Bank Group.   He directed a multi-billion dollar portfolio of energy, transportation, infrastructure and natural resources projects in 165+ client countries worldwide.

In 2007-2008 Dr. Dixon was Senior Coordinator, White House Task Force on Energy Security, National Security Council, Executive Office of the U.S. President, in 2007-2008.  He addressed a range of domestic and international energy, trade, economic and security topics.

He was Head, Energy Technology Policy Division, International Energy Agency, Paris, France, in 2005-2007.   Under his leadership, energy technology and policy assessments were conducted for world leaders and other high level clients.

In 2007, Dr. Dixon was co-recipient the Nobel Peace Prize.

He served as Associate Director for International Activities, Council on Environmental Quality, Executive Office of the U.S. President in 2004-2005.   Dr. Dixon addressed a range of domestic and international energy, environment, human health, natural resources, national security, trade and other issues at the White House.

He was Executive Director, International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy, Washington, DC, in 2003-2004.  In 2004 the U.S. President honored Dixon with the U.S. government Gold Award for international energy service to the nation.

Dr. Dixon served as U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Deputy Assistant Secretary for Power Technologies, 1999-2002.  He led and administered a $1 billion dollar portfolio.   Prior to serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary he was appointed to several other leadership positions at DoE.

He led two U.S. Presidential Initiatives from 1992-1998: the U.S. Country Studies Program and the U.S. Initiative on Joint Implementation to advance U.S. strategic interests in energy, economic and environmental security.

Dr. Dixon served on U.S. negotiating teams to various international agreements, protocols, conventions and treaties 1990-2008.  He has also served in a variety of senior U.S. diplomatic assignments (e.g., Beijing, Brasilia, Moscow, New Delhi, Tokyo).

From 1989-1992, Dr. Dixon served at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Research and Development, Office of Policy, and Office of International Activities.   In 1991, he was seconded to the Executive Office of the U.S. President National Economic Council.  He was awarded the EPA bronze medal for his contributions.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (AID) employed Dr. Dixon in 1986-87 to lead energy sector and natural resource management policy reform across 16 southern Asia nations.

Dr. Dixon is co-founder Plant Health Care, Inc. (1987).  Plant Health Care, Inc., a biotechnology research and development firm, markets or licenses processes and products in all 50 U.S. states and more than 30 foreign countries.

He started his career in the early 1980s with the Fortune 25 firm Allied Corporation and managed a large-scale research, development and technology deployment program for four years.  He is the co-author of two U.S. patents.

Dr. Dixon earned his B.S, M.S. (1979) and Ph.D. (1982) degrees from the University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri.  He was a tenured faculty member at the University of Minnesota and Auburn University from 1982 to 1989.   He was Adjunct Professor at Oregon State University 1990-1991.

Dr. Dixon was awarded an Exxon Fellowship in 1984 and a Smithsonian Fellowship in 1985.  He also served as a Visiting Professor at Oxford University, United Kingdom, Humboldt University, Germany, Delhi University, India, and Kasetsart University, Thailand.

Dr. Dixon is an Adjunct Professor at American University, Washington, DC, and offers undergraduate and graduate courses in energy, environment economics.   He also teaches Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced and International Studies (SAIS), Columbia University and Georgetown University.

Dr. Dixon has been an advisor to various philanthropic organizations including the International Foundation for Science, CARE, Soros Foundation and other philanthropic organizations.

He also has been a consultant, contributor to the U.S. National Academy of Science and the U.S. National Academy of Engineering activities during the past three decades.

Dr. Dixon served with Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), Executive Office of the US President, in 1986-87.