Sustainable Energy Fund will hold its 2009 Sustainable Energy Conference on the campus of Lafayette College. This year’s annual conference will take place from July 27 through August 1.

 

The conference brings together various stakeholders in sustainable energy: educators and students, entrepreneurs and labor, policymakers and activists. 2009 Sustainable Energy Conference consists of Solar Scholars, Wind Scholars, USGBC LEED Technical Review, Sustainable Energy Vendors, and more than 20 sessions and panels focused on technology, business and energy policy.

 

Sustainable Energy Fund’s Sustainable Energy Conference impacts students and workers throughout Pennsylvania, the Lehigh Valley and beyond helping them prepare for the sustainable energy revolution.

 

The mission of the conference is to cultivate a comprehensive understanding of and passion for sustainable energy technologies, economics, and public policy in students, educators, policy makers, consumers, business leaders, and entrepreneurs so that they can make informed decisions necessary to provide for the energy needed today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

 

With the conference still more than two months away, pre-conference registration has already exceeded last year’s attendance by 120 percent. Universities and community colleges have pre-registered via the Conference website.

 

Participants will travel from as far as Oregon to Easton to study with Bill Brooks (Brooks Engineering), a world-class solar trainer, and with Mick Sagrillo (Sagrillo Power & Light), a world-class wind energy expert.

 

Other speakers include Dan Griffiths, Deputy Secretary of Department of Environmental Protection, and Rep. Eugene DePasquale (D-York).

 

Attendees will also participate in interactive sessions, listen to panel discussions with regional energy policy makers and economic development leaders, and learn through hands-on workshops. SEF will also fund a limited number of attendance scholarships to regional middle and high school science teachers and vocational educators. Each scholarship has a value of $1,750.

 

Corporate and business employees whose duties focus on energy issues will also benefit from the week’s panels discussions. Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation will provide speakers on how the organization creates economic opportunities for commercial or industrial LEED buildings and energy efficiency projects. Lehigh Valley Workforce Investment Board is also a partner with SEF by offering assistance to train dislocated workers who may want to forge a new career path in the coming wave of green jobs.

 

James Cawley, Chair of the Public Utilities Commission will welcome attendees to the business trade part of the conference in his morning presentation on July 30. Later that evening Honorable Mark S. Singel, former Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania will deliver the keynote speech during a special dinner for conference attendees and sponsors.

 

Those interested in attending the Thursday and Friday sessions focusing on the business of energy, and new trends in renewable technologies may register by visiting the Conference website. The cost is $250 and includes the dinner on July 30.  The cost is $250 and includes the dinner on July 30.

 

The 2009 Sustainable Energy Conference wraps up the week with a public exhibition with Sustainable Energy Vendors on July 31 and August 1 featuring family activities, solar-powered vehicles, and fun-filled competitions.

 

The public is invited to learn and have fun while they visit the vendor tents set up on Lafayette’s March Field. Admission for this outdoor event is $5.00. Tickets will be available on-site both days; and parking is free.

 

Jennifer Hopkins, SEF President said, “SEF intends to establish its Sustainable Energy Conference as the region’s marquee energy education event. We see great value in offering sustainable energy education to both the academic and business communities, and to the general public as well. The development of this program is fundamental to SEF’s mission. Providing sustainable energy education is a very timely endeavor, and will create a superior opportunity in the Commonwealth for years to come.”

 

Lafayette College has six professors and six students attending the 2009 Sustainable Energy Conference. Each year the college sees many students participating in and leading several campus-wide sustainability programs. President Daniel H. Weiss was an early signator to the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment, in which schools pledge to reduce and eventually eliminate greenhouse gas emissions.

 

For more information, visit the Conference website.