The ARPA-E conference today had many speakers, lots of statistics, and even more good ideas for driving the cost of clean energy down.  Former Governor Schwarzenegger challenged the gathering to focus on areas of agreement (clean energy is good) rather than on areas of disagreement (has mankind contributed to global warming).  Phrases that could be bumper stickers abounded:  Clean energy is the light bulb of the 21st century; energy security = national security; invest in clean energy that we can make locally and sell globally.  Very optimistic speakers on the ability to accelerate energy innovation.  And it only took a visit to the basement displays to make a believer out of me.  Innovative battery technology, biofuels, LED lighting, wind turbine design, engine design, and the list goes on and on.   Today was an energy attorney’s delight.