ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Speakers, booths, tours and workshops on how to green buildings to conserve energy and water and to reduce the environmental impact of transportation will be part of the second annual Earth, Wind and Sun conference sponsored by Sandia National Laboratories and Kirtland Air Force Base. The conference will be held July 21-22 at the Steve Schiff Auditorium on the base.
“Last year’s event was extremely popular, and we expect to have an even more exciting conference this year with an even larger attendance,” says Katrina Wagner, conference coordinator. “Living greener by conserving and using energy sources wisely is becoming an extremely important part of our everyday lives. This conference will offer tips on how to do so.”
Media planning on attending any part of the Earth, Wind and Sun event need to call Chris Burroughs at (505) 844-0948 by 4 p.m. Monday, July 20. Arrangements will be made to escort them to the activities.
July 21 events
The first day will kick off at 10 a.m. with keynote speakers Michael McGhee, acting deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for Energy, Environment, Safety and Occupational Health (EESOH), and Frank Russo, senior advisor for ES&H NNSA (NA-1). McGhee and Russo will talk about energy initiatives and sustainability in the Department of Defense and Department of Energy complexes. At 1 p.m. Dennis Meadows, professor of systems management, director of the Institute for Policy and Social Science Research at the University of New Hampshire and recipient of the 2009 Japan Prize, will discuss “Four misconceptions that block constructive climate change policy.”
Two tours are scheduled for July 21 from 12:30-4 p.m. The tours will highlight Sandia LEED buildings, the Sandia Photovoltaic System Evaluation Laboratory East, and Solar Tower.
Also on July 21 some 60 booths ranging from alternative energy to green homes will be showcased in exhibitor tents outside the Steve Schiff Auditorium from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Information will be available on sustainability, and many vendors will have giveaways. Among exhibitors are Sandia environmental programs, Sandia wind and solar energy technologies, Sandia Pollution Prevention, Sandia Fleet Services, State of New Mexico, Electric Cars of Albuquerque, New Mexico RailRunner Express, and ABQ Ride.
In addition to the exhibitor tent, alternative energy vehicles including hybrid cars, electric scooters, and biofueled vehicles will be on display in the parking lot just south of the auditorium.
July 22 events
The second day will feature 12 workshops between 8:30 a.m.-4:15 p.m. and a plenary session. Workshop locations vary. The workshops include:
- 8:30-10:15 a.m. — Plenary session: Institutional Transformation for a Sustainable Future (registration not required).
- 10:30 a.m.-noon — Green Computing, How Do I Get This Stuff Up on My Roof? (Answers to common questions about photovoltaics); Sustainable Transportation Initiatives Panel; and How to Integrate Sustainable Practices into Your Environmental Management System.
- 1-2:30 p.m. — Renewable Energy Programs and Projects — Biofuels to Fuel Cells; Improving the Comfort and Efficiency of Your Home: An Introduction to Home Energy Audits; and Managing a Renewable Resource.
- 2:45-4:15 p.m. — Sustainable Home; Sustainability at Mesa del Sol; Wind Energy R&D and Grid Integration; Ecology of National Security.