POWER-UP Energy Forum - Birmingham Botanical Gardens (12/05/12)

     The Alabama Environmental Council hosted an open, public forum about energy across our state. Conversations centered around efficiency and conservation, alternatives, renewables, and a transparent process for stakeholders to have input in choosing our energy future. Local and regional speakers gave local and regional perspectives about what is working across the Southeast with time for conversation and interaction. Jim McClintock, UAB Polar Marine Biologist and author of Lost Antarctica: Adventures in a Disappearing Land, gave our keynote address. Available presentations from the Forum may be found under the Agenda, below.

A four-page summary of presentations, highlights, immediate next steps and a brief summary of table and community conversations is available at this link.

A lengthier report of community and forum participant’s questions and comments  can be found at this link.

Be sure to review the one-page list of specific findings and recommendations developed from Forum speakers' and participants' comments. Items on the list are relevant to the new State Energy Plan process and to Alabama energy policy decisions. This information, can be found at this link. 

Topics of discussion included: (Click on the title of presentation to view)

Agenda:

8:30 AM           Registration/Coffee

9:00 AM           Introductions and Welcome

9:15 AM           Current Landscape of Energy in Alabama              
                       Michael Churchman, Alabama Environmental Council

9:45 AM           Energy Efficiency and Alabama's options
                       Natalie Mims, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy on behalf of             
                       Max Neubauer, American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy

10:20 AM         What’s Happening Across the Southeast?              
                       Mandy Mahoney, Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance

10:55 AM         Break

11:10 AM         Table Conversation and reports

11:45 AM         Lunch

12:10 PM         Keynote Speaker - James McClintock, University of Alabama Birmingham

12:40 PM         Break/Book-signing

1:00 PM           Southeast Legislative/Regulatory Perspective          
                       Ken Smith, Energy Foundation Consultant

1:35 PM           Just Add Water, The Water/Energy Nexus                                    
                       Cindy Lowry, Alabama Rivers Alliance

2:10 PM           Break

2:25 PM           State Energy Planning/Transparency Panel
                      ACEEE/ SEEA/ AEC/ EF/ ARA

3:00 PM           Table Conversation and reports

3:25 PM           What’s Next?

3:45 PM           Adjourn