Story by: Wade Fulghum, Program Manager Economic Development

The North Carolina Solar Center was represented at the Congressional Renewable Energy Expo on May 14th, 2009.  Steve Kalland spoke to the audience ensuring that the nations leaders and decision-makers are aware of the Center and its' outreach and policy work including the nationally renound DSIRE database which provides incentive information on all federal, state, local, and utility incentives for renewable energy and energy efficiency.  Wade Fulghum and Steve Kalland also answered questions from a variety of concerned citizens, business owners, local and federal policy makers on energy issues from ranging from emmission comparisons from various energy sources, to carbon policy and a Federal Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard.

The Sustainable Energy Coalition - in cooperation with Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Caucuses hosted the 12th annual Congressional Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency EXPO + Forum.  This year’s EXPO will brought together nearly fifty businesses, sustainable energy industry trade associations, government agencies, and energy policy research organizations to showcase the status and near-term potential of the cross-section of renewable energy (biofuels/biomass, geothermal, solar, water, wind) and energy efficiency technologies.  A morning news conference will feature Members of the U.S. Congress while afternoon speakers will discuss the role sustainable energy technologies can play in meeting America’s energy needs.

As Congress, the Administration, the business community, environmental advocates, and American voters search for options to address ways to stimulate the economy, “green jobs,” higher energy costs, increased reliance on energy imports, and the potential threat posed by rising levels of greenhouse gas emissions, the EXPO will help address the role that sustainable energy technologies might play.  This will include not only the technical aspects of renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies but also related issues such as economics, jobs potential, environmental benefits, current and near-term market potential, model programs in the public and private sectors, and institutional, financial and legal barriers.