Noted Speaker and Financial Expert Gordon 'Grant' Curtis to Address Alternative Investment Symposium

San Diego, CA, December 05, 2008 --(PR.com)-- As a noted guest speaker for the Laguna Niguel Institutional Investment Summit, Gordon 'Grant' Curtis will lead panel discussions on alternative energy investment strategies.

The primary emphasis of the discussions will focus on socially responsible approaches to energy and energy related investment opportunities. In many cases, this does not mean the sacrifice of attractive returns according to Mr. Curtis, portfolio director for a European Family Investment Office.

Attractive returns in uncertain markets mean portfolio allocations into core-need businesses and infrastructure. Institutional investors agree that the need to be environmentally conscious requires change; but this change does not mean sacrifices in benchmark returns. When designed properly, or used with a blended transitional strategy, renewable energy investments can offer secured returns that are resistant to volatile market conditions.

Worldwide demand to support both existence and entrance into the growing middle class requires energy—and lots of it. Mr. Curtis believes in a sensible approach to capital deployment across this sector and will challenge the panel he will chair to think “out of the box” and away from Government subsidies. He believes that Government subsidies can be a catalyst for investment but certainly not a long-term driver at the expense of taxpayers. Technology and price need to intersect with appropriate demand levels. Energy pricing will eventually support the economic need to shift from predominantly fossil fuels and atomic energy, to safer and less polluting sources and methods.

In socially responsible efforts to seek alternative power and reduce air and water pollution, there is the need to respect city skyline atrocities and eyesore destruction near or in our national parks. Less sightly alternatives might include underground geothermal power generation stations and more efficient use of hydroelectric that doesn’t kill wildlife.

Directive suggestions include charitable contributions to higher education facilities around the globe which can serve as a strategic conduit for economically attractive technology applications for the future of renewable energy. At lowered cost compared to industry, this approach may hold the transitional solutions consistent with expanding energy demands. At the same time, this can offer responsible offsets for carbon footprints and reduction of greenhouse effects.

Mr. Curtis is a major proponent of energy conservation and his emphatic believe is that a kilowatt saved is just as important as a kilowatt generated. Taking responsible steps to lower power consumption will be a key contribution to both environmental concerns and future costs. This gives rise for advanced technologies including the design and implementation of energy saving devices into new commercial and residential construction as well as existing applications.

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