Sign up for our
Email Newsletter

2008 Renewable Energy Vermont Conference Agenda

Tuesday, October 14th

4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Opening Networking Reception & Exhibits—Open to the public ($5)
Wednesday, October 15th
7:30a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
 Exhibit Area Open - over 60 exhibitors from all different renewable energy sectors
7:30 - 9:00 a.m. Registration, Continental Breakfast & Renewable Industry Exhibits
9:00 – 9:20 a.m. Welcome & Opening Remarks
Sam Swanson, Renewable Energy Vermont Board Chair
9:20 – 10:10 a.m. Keynote Address
David Morris, Vice President, Institute for Local Self Reliance

David Morris has been working for almost 40 years to make economies fairer and environments cleaner. Bill Moyers has described David as one of the "nation's most innovative thinkers".

David writings have appeared in over 100 newspapers and magazines, including the Smithsonian, New York Times, Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post. His most recent publication, published in April 2008, is Driving Our Way To Energy Independence.

Dr. Morris has served as a consultant to the energy departments of Presidents Ford, Carter, Clinton and George W. Bush. From 2000 to 2006, David served on a Congressionally-created Advisory Committee to the US DOE and USDA. He has also been a consultant to state and local governments here and abroad on strategies that can marry economic and environmental objectives.

David is a cofounder and Vice President of the 34 year old Institute for Local Self-Reliance(ILSR) where he directs its New Rules Project.
10:10 – 10:40 a.m. Refreshment Break & Exhibits
10:40 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Morning Concurrent Workshop Sessions
sponsored by  
 

GRENING THE GRID: CREATING A DEMOCRATIC AND RENEWABLE POWER GRID IN VERMONT

Responding to global climate change and energy security concerns, countries throughout the world are greening their power grids. Not only are citizens and governments turning to renewables to power homes, businesses, and local economies, but many are planning to make their transportation sectors reliant on a green grid as well. While some areas in the U.S. are aggressively pursuing grid-tied renewables, the world’s most successful strategies for greening the grid are being largely overlooked.

So, does Vermont have a strategy for greening its grid? Join Mark Sardella, Chairman of LocalEnergy.org and an expert on power-systems architecture, as he leads a session where attendees generate the vision and strategies to transition Vermont’s grid to one that is renewably-based and democratically-controlled.

Moderator:
Amy Seidl, Associate Director, Living Future Foundation

COMMUNITY WIND POWER
Speakers:
Maureen McCracken, Northern Power—"Making Community Wind Happen"
John Sayles, Deputy Commissioner, Vermont Agency of Natural Resources—"Permitting Community Wind in Vermont"
Martha Staskus, Vermont Environmental Research Associates—"The Georgia Mountain Community Wind Project"

Moderator:
John Kassel, Shems Dunkiel Kassel & Saunders PLLC

HEATING WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY
Speakers:
Andy Boutin, Pellergy—"Wood and Grass Pellet Heating"
Martin Orio, Water Energy Distributor—"Geothermal Heating"
Shawn Newcity, Sol-Tec.—"Active Solar Heating"

Moderator:
Cindy Wyckoff, Biomass Energy Resource Center

ELECTRIC TRANSPORTATION, THE GRID, AND HYDRO-POWER DEVELOPMENTS
Speakers:
Steve Letendre, Green Mountain College—"The Electric Drive Revolution and Sustainable Mobility"
Mike Hachey, Trans Canada—"Increasing Hydro and Wind Power Production"
Fred Ayer, Low Impact Hydropower Institute

Moderator:
Greg Strong, Spring Hill Solutions

12:00 – 12:30 p.m.

Refreshment Break & Exhibits

12:30 – 1:15 p.m.

Buffet Lunch and Renewable Energy Awards
sponsored by
1:15 – 1:45 p.m. Dessert in Exhibit Hall
1:45 – 3:00 p.m. Afternoon Concurrent Workshop Sessions
Sponsored by
 

VERMONT ENERGY POLICY
Speakers:
David O’Brien, Commissioner, Vermont Department of Public Service
Peter Shumlin, Vermont Senate Pro Tem
Tony Klein, State Representative
Joyce Errecart, State Representative

Moderator:
Adam Necrason, Sirotkin & Necrason

OWNERSHIP & FINANCING OPTIONS FOR COMMUNITY RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS
Speakers:
Lawrence Mott, New Generation Partners—"Making Community Energy Happen"
Daniel Feeney, North Star Leasing—"Leasing and Ownership Options for On-site Generation"
Mark Saunders, Shems Dunkiel Kassel & Saunders PLLC—"The LC3, How this New for-profit Charitable Corporation Can Help Get Renewables Built"

Moderator:
Cheryl Jenkins, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation

BIOFUELS IN VEMONT
Speakers:
Netaka White, Sustainable Jobs Fund—"Homegrown Feed, Food, and Fuel: Local Production, Local Use"
Matt Cota, Vermont Fuel Dealers Association—"Development and Outlook of the Bio-heat Infrastructure"
Adam Sherman, Biomass Energy Resource Center—"Wood Fuels for Vermont - How Much Can We Grow?"

Moderator:
Erin Russell-Story
3:10 - 3:25 p.m. Refreshment Break & Exhibits
3:25 - 4:30 p.m. Closing Plenary Session --
"The Gore Goal: Can Vermont Become 100% Renewable?"
Speakers:
Barbara Grimes, BED—"Burlingtons 100% Renewable Plan and Property Tax Financing"
David Blittersdorf, Earth Turbines—"A New Public Power Authority"
Jim Marston, Regional Director, Environmental Defense Fund Rapid Deployment of Renewable Energy—"Rapid Development of Renewable Energy"

Moderator:
Scott Johnstone, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
P.O. Box 1036 Montpelier, VT 05601
(802) 229-0099 info@revermont.org