Manufacturing Summit Focuses on Energy

Dalton, GA, May 20, 2011--The 2011 Manufacturing Summit was held yesterday at the Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center in Dalton. Speakers included North Georgia Congressman Tom Graves, oil and gas magnate T. Boone Pickens and Tom Fanning, CEO of Southern Company.

Much of the day's discussion focussed on energy issues.

Graves spoke of the increasing number of government regulations on businesses, noting that there are 43 new regulations that the federal government imposed in 2010 alone.

Pickens discussed the need for the U.S. to transition to alternative energy sources like natural gas with the goal of reducing the country's dependence on foreign oil.

Fanning also advocated the adoption of alternative energies, noting that the U.S. should use all energy sources at its disposal, nuclear included.

J+J Industries, The Carpet and Rug Institute and a host of others outside the flooring industry served as sponsors of the event.