The chief executive of Duke Energy, one of the nation's largest utility companies, will speak at an energy conference next week at the University of Michigan.

Jim Rogers, CEO of North Carolina-based Duke Energy, will address the Ross Energy Club's second annual Carbon Symposium on Sept. 18. The Ross Energy Club is affiliated with U-M's Ross School of Business.

"Duke Energy is one of the nation’s top energy companies with a long tradition of coal-intensive electricity production," Ross Energy Club co-president Brent Morgan said in an e-mailed statement. "He offers a unique and surprisingly progressive perspective on how to transition to a carbon free economy."

In addition, the program will feature three panels of national experts who will address the carbon offset value chain, from project developers and originators to end consumers. A fourth panel will discuss the role of fossil fuels as the United States and the world shift to a cleaner energy economy. 

Duke Energy, which serves some 4 million power customers, "has been one of the most proactive (utilities) on the alternative-energy front," the Wall Street Journal recently reported. The $12.6 billion company has some 18,250 employees.

Rogers' appearance at the Michigan Union comes nearly a year after Michigan lawmakers adopted a renewable portfolio standard, which requires that utilities derive 10 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2015.

A variety of experts will also discuss various issues associated with carbon emissions, including cap-and-trade proposals and "how young professionals can get involved in emerging carbon markets," U-M officials said.