Please join the Shepherd University Institute for Environmental Studies for ’Bringing Renewable Energy to West Virginia,’ a free conference to be held September 30 and October 1, 2005 in Shepherdstown, WV.

This timely conference will highlight measures that adjacent states have taken to successfully promote renewable energy adoption and will examine the state of renewable energy in West Virginia.  Topics will include incentives, net metering, and the political reality of alternative energy in WV.  A mixture of presentations and workshops on photovoltaics, passive solar, wind, and other renewable energy applications will provide a broad perspective for homeowners, developers, students, educators, and those concerned with increasing our state’s energy independence. 

On Friday, September 30, participants will tour the BP Solar Facility in Frederick, MD, and look at renewable energy applications in local homes.  Transportation will be provided, leaving from Shepherd University at 8 a.m.  **This tour is limited to the first 50 registrants.  Please see conference registration information below.

Saturday, October 1, we will reconvene at the National Conservation Training Center (near Shepherdstown) at 9 a.m.  The morning session will feature presentations from the U.S. Department of Energy, the Pennsylvania State Energy Office, the WV Development Office, the Shepherd University Institute for Environmental Studies, the Conservation Fund, and the Webster County Economic Development Authority.  In the afternoon, a series of workshops will focus on practical applications, including site analysis for PV and hot water installations, economics and payoff associated with PV applications, and green development in the Eastern panhandle.  

The conference will end with a discussion of next steps for alternative energy in West Virginia.

TO REGISTER:

Please email Ms. Diane Shewbridge at dshewbri@shepherd.edu with ‘Renewable Conference’ in the subject line.  Include your name, phone number, and affiliation (if desired).  Be sure to indicate if you plan to participate in the tour on Friday, September 30, from 8 am – 4 pm, in addition to the conference on Saturday, October 1.  The Friday tour is limited to the first 50 registrants.  Conference registration is FREE, but lunches are not included.