VT Community Energy and Climate Action Conference

The University of Vermont Extension and the Vermont Energy and Climate Action Network (VECAN) invite you to attend the second annual Vermont Community Energy and Climate Action Conference. The conference will take place at the Lake Morey Inn in Fairlee Vermont on Saturday, December 5th from 8:00-4:00. Conference registration is now open! For complete information and to register on-line, go to: http://www.regonline.com/VTEnergy.

Building on a very successful first conference last year (over 220 attendees), this conference is for those interested in how Vermont communities can take action to increase energy efficiency and renewable energy for municipal government, businesses, and residents. The conference is geared toward town energy committee members, selectboard and city council members, conservation commissioners, professional and citizen planners, town public works staff, environmental business professionals, state government officials, academics, and concerned citizens.

The day will include concurrent workshop presentations, regional break-out meetings, and general sessions. The goal for the day is to provide strategies communities can implement to reduce energy costs and reduce the damaging greenhouse gasses released into the environment. Participants will gain an increased understanding of a wide range of local opportunities for tackling energy and climate change at the local level, while also having an opportunity to network with other Vermont communities.

The opening address will be delivered by Patrick Parenteau, Professor of Law and Senior Counsel, Environmental & Natural Resources Law Clinic at the Vermont Law School and the afternoon keynote will be delivered by Senator Bernie Sanders (invited) who will discuss progress on the climate change bill currently making its way through Congress.

Workshop topics include:

- Community Wind: Has Its Time Come for Vermont?
- Bio-Energy: Behind Every Good Community Project is Good Resource Planning
- Local Energy Projects in Vermont: A Smorgasbord of Opportunities
- Locating the Money and Resources Needed to Move Energy Projects Forward
- Community-Based Energy Efficiency Teams
- Building Resilient Energy Committees and Cultivating Partners
- Communities Go Solar!
- Local Energy Planning: A Powerful Climate Action Tool
- Transportation and Energy Link: Tools and Approaches to Promoting Alternative - Transportation in Your Community
- Improving Efficiency in Municipal and School Facilities and Operations
- Beyond Local: State, National and International Efforts to Tackle Climate Change
- Amplifying Your Message and Leveraging New Media and Social Marketing Opportunities