WASHINGTON, April 5, 2001 (PRIMEZONE) -- Fourteen organizations devoted to renewable energy and resource conservation are joining forces this Spring to present a five-day event in Washington, D.C. under the banner FORUM 2001. Subtitled "Solar Energy: The Power to Choose," the event offers practical solutions for the integration of solar power and other renewable energy sources in residential, commercial and public buildings; transportation; wireless communications; and emerging markets.
Event organizers today announced FORUM 2001's two keynote speakers: Sam Wyly and Ed Mazria. Each of these individuals is recognized as a leading figure in their respective fields of business and energy development, and sustainable architecture. They will address FORUM 2001 participants at the Opening Plenary on April 23, starting at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time.
Wyly is an investor and entrepreneur who, over the last 30 years, has founded and managed a number of public and private companies. His first company, University Computing Company, was instrumental in creating early software products, which, along with the microchip, helped displace the then-dominant "giants" like IBM, Univac and others. His early efforts in the telecommunications business (along with MCI and Carterphone) helped break up the U.S. telephone monopoly. These events set in motion the current wave of technology and marketing that has revolutionized IT, setting the stage for wireless communication and the Internet.
Wyly's recent work at Green Mountain Energy -- a private venture with BP (Beyond Petroleum) and Nuon -- is focusing on marketing clean/green electricity in another industry converting from monopolies to free markets: utilities. He believes that: "the entrepreneurial opportunities here are as great today as during the break-up of the AT&T monopoly 20 years ago and the IBM monopoly 30 years ago."
Wyly serves on the boards of numerous organizations and has contributed extraordinary amounts of time and support to many charitable, church and educational organizations. His presentation is titled "California did it Wrong! Texas did it Right."
Mazria pioneered the use of energy- and resource-conserving strategies in housing and public buildings. He is a principal of Mazria Riskin Odems Inc. and is an internationally recognized architect and planner whose climate-responsive and environmentally sound projects span more than 30 years. His published work includes technical papers, articles for professional magazines and "The Passive Solar Energy Book." His most recent article, with Marci Riskin, "Architectural Design: Nature's Way," outlines the innovative design strategies and monitoring results of the firm's award-winning Rio Grande Conservatory in Albuquerque, N.M.
Mazria's buildings have been featured in Architecture, Progressive Architecture, Architectural Record, Architectural Digest, Process, Public Garden, Solar Today, The Wall Street Journal, The New Mexico Business Journal and The New York Times. Mazria's presentation at FORUM 2001 is titled "From Funky to Phenomenal: An Environmental Journey."
Although FORUM 2001 will have a strong technical component, it will also address broad-based commercial/industrial and public policy topics. One of the event's most significant features will be a modular home site-built by Solar Strategies and dubbed "The Solar Patriot." Manufactured by Design Homes, LLC, the house showcases energy-efficient, passive solar design strategies; an integrated photovoltaic system; domestic solar hot water; high-efficiency lights and appliances; and a host of sustainable, market-ready components and systems.
According to builder Don Bradley, "At a time when interest rates are coming down and energy costs are going up, solar homes are making better and better economic sense. Homeowners enjoy the independence and, certainly, appreciate the savings."
Tours of the house and other facilities will be available to conference participants, government officials and the public.
In addition to the tours, other special events include: a "Low-Energy, Sustainable Building Design for Federal Managers" workshop (April 26-27); a special session on Emerging Transportation; an exhibition hall featuring the latest renewable energy products and services (April 22-24); an awards banquet; training and visits to Capitol Hill; and a Women in Solar Energy (WISE) network luncheon. In addition, the AIA Committee on the Environment will announce its "Earth Day Top Ten" winners Monday evening (April 23).
According to FORUM 2001 Chair Helen English who heads up the Sustainable Buildings Industry Council, "I'm thrilled! The bipartisan buzz says this is the place to be if you're concerned about energy in the 21st Century. I think we'll look back and see the FORUM as a watershed event -- all the important players fully engaged in forging a consensus on solar's place in America's energy mix."
With sponsorship from the U.S. Department of Energy, Duke Solar and Austin Energy, FORUM 2001 is expected to draw educators, builders, manufacturers, architects, engineers, contractors, installers, scientists, researchers and policymakers interested in the latest solar product developments and research findings. Additional sponsorship is provided by BP Solar, Southern California Edison, Xantrex and the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association.
FORUM 2001 integrates the annual conferences of the American Solar Energy Society, the 26th National Passive Solar Conference, the American Institute of Architects Committee on the Environment Symposium, American Society of Mechanical Engineers International Solar Energy Conference, and SOLTECH 2001. Other participating organizations include the American Public Power Association, ASHRAE, Interstate Renewable Energy Council, the National Association of Home Builders, the Solar Electric Power Association, Society of Building Science Educators, the Solar Energy Industries Association, the Sustainable Buildings Industry Council, and the local chapters of ASES and SEIA (Potomac Region Solar Energy Association and Maryland-DC-Virginia Solar Energy Industries Association, respectively).
The FORUM takes place once every four years, timed to coincide with the arrival of the new presidential administration. Based on the depth and diversity of the program, this year's gathering promises to be the best of the quadrennial events held so far. For more information or to register, visit www.solarenergyforum.org, e-mail ases@ases.org, or call 303-443-3130.
The Sustainable Buildings Industry Council is an independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance the design, affordability, energy performance, and environmental soundness of America's buildings.
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CONTACT: Sustainable Buildings Industry Council, Washington
Will Zachmann, Director of Communications
202-628-7400 ext. 201
swamedia@swinter.com