[Press Release] : Columbia attracts national notables to speak at renewable energy conference

[pr-l at news.gocolumbiamo.com]

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 1, 2006

CONTACT: Columbia Water and Light
Jay Hasheider
Energy Management Specialist
 (573) 874-7685

Columbia attracts national notables to speak at renewable energy
conference
									
	(COLUMBIA, MO) - On March 29, Columbia Water and Light will team
up with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the University
of Missouri Department of Atmospheric Sciences to host a one-day
conference, "Advancing Renewables in the Midwest," at the Anheuser-Busch
Natural Resources Building on the MU campus in Columbia, Mo. The goal of
the event is to promote both the development and use of renewable energy
technologies throughout the state and the Midwest. The daylong
conference will offer insights into wind, biomass and solar energy
potentials, as well as energy efficiency, biodiesel, and energy-related
tax incentives.
	Event sponsors have invited a host of speakers and panelists
from across the country, including keynote speaker Dr. Stanley Bull, the
associate director for science and technology at the National Renewable
Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colo. Funded by the U.S. Department
of Energy, NREL is the nation's leading center for renewable energy
research.
	Among those speaking at the event will be Wind Capital Group
president Tom Carnahan, who recently announced plans to build Bluegrass
Ridge, Missouri's first significant commercial wind energy project;
solar pioneer Art Boyt of Crowder College, Neosho, Mo., who will speak
about positive net energy buildings that produce more energy than they
consume; nationally recognized solar engineering expert Bill Brooks,
Vacaville, Calif., who will talk about net metering; and Gail
Hendrickson, from the Alliance to Save Energy, Washington D.C., who will
cover federal tax incentives for energy efficiency and renewables.
	Invited as panelists are Dr. Robert Bush of Northwest Missouri
State University, a biomass specialist who served on Gov. Bob Holden's
Missouri Energy Policy Task Force, and Nicholas Peckham, whose
architectural firm has strived to stay at the forefront of energy
conservation and sustainable design over the years.
	Columbia boasts Missouri's first and only voter-mandated
renewable energy initiative. The ordinance, passed by popular
referendum, requires Columbia's municipal utility to add renewable
energy sources to its power portfolio in phases over the coming years.
Several Midwestern states have such energy policies in place at the
state level. Missouri currently has a renewable energy bill before the
state legislature.
 	Anyone in the public who is interested in renewable energy is
welcome to attend. Space is limited. There is a $25 registration fee,
which covers access to the event, lunch and refreshments throughout the
day. Registration deadline is Wednesday, March 15. Details and a
downloadable registration form are available at
http://weather.missouri.edu/webs. Call (573) 874-7325 to have a
registration form mailed to you.

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