S.E.E. Expo 2004 Events

Here’s a list of one-hour presentations at this year’s expo. (For information on the six intensive, half-day workshops, see “Power From the People”.)

Action on the Campus Learn about the emerging student activism in the Southeast addressing energy and environmental issues: tactics, plans, current efforts and future options.

Advanced Building Methods In Residential Construction Marcus Renner of Appropriate Building Solutions will cover advanced framing, structural insulated panels, insulated concrete forms, autoclaved aerated concrete, precast concrete and other new techniques.

Backhome Chapters An informal presentation on the growing number of BackHome chapters across the United States and the projects and activities they’re involved in.

Batteries for Power Systems Nationally recognized sustainable-energy expert and author Tom Moates touches on safety precautions, sizing, maintenance and types of batteries for solar, wind and hydro systems.

Biodiesel in Wnc Blue Ridge Biofuels details its successful experience in bringing biofuels to WNC.

Biofuels & The Regional Economy Our current economic system is showing the signs of stress as fossil-fuel supplies dwindle and prices soar. Explore the transition from fossil fuels to sustainable energy sources with Lyle Estill of Piedmont Biofuels.

Biofuels Production An introduction to the process and requirements for producing biofuels with Rachel Burton and Leif Forer of Piedmont Biofuels.

Classical Compass School Feng Shui Learn to enhance prosperity and harmony using the ancient art of feng shui with Anne Hansley of Advantage Technologies.

Clean Water for North Carolina Learn about testing your water supply, the myth of pure bottled water, how to identify potential threats and new incentives to protect our water with Hope Taylor-Guevara of Clean Water for N.C.

Common Sense at The Nuclear Crossroads Find out what you can do about the highly radioactive materials being transported through WNC with the citizen’s group Common Sense at the Nuclear Crossroads.

Cordwood Masonry Authors, lecturers and renowned builders Rob and Jaki Roy introduce participants to this low-cost, energy-efficient building technique, covering methods, materials and design options.

Developing a Sustainable Business Eric Henry of the award-winning sustainable-manufacturing business T.S. Designs talks about running a business that simultaneously takes into account people, the planet and profits.

Diesel Emissions, Public Health & Global Warming An introduction to the impacts of fossil-fuel-diesel emissions on our health and environment, and the options available to reduce this pollution, with Anne Gilliam of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.

Earth-Sheltered Housing Join Rob Roy, sustainable builder and author of The Complete Book of Underground Houses: How to Build a Low-cost Home, for a presentation on the practical issues of thermal mass, insulation and more.

Eco-Certification for Realtors An informal introduction to the newly created Environmental Consultancy Certification for Realtors by ECO program developer Margie Meares and David West, CEO of the Asheville Board of Realtors.

Energy Legislation & Policy Get an overview on the current legislative and policy efforts in North Carolina with Ivan Urlaub, policy director of the N.C. Sustainable Energy Association.

Environmental Careers Explore a career in environmental science, one of the fastest-growing sectors of the economy, with James Hutcherson of Blue Ridge Community College.

Ethanol Production Learn about production technologies, cropland availability, the energy balance of production and more with Dr. Ghasem Shabazzi and Peter Kauber.

Garden-Fresh Fun For Kids Molly Nicholie of the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project’s “Growing Minds Project” will offer a hands-on children’s program incorporating gardening, nutrition and literacy for kids 5-10 years old.

Global Warming & the Southeast The science and policy behind global warming, impacts on our region, current efforts at the national and international levels to mitigate the problem, plus a brainstorming session for local community action in the region. Led by Marjorie Mulhall and Emily Saunders of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.

Green Building 101: Intro to Sustainable Building Take a broad look at all types of residential construction and how sustainability can be implemented with Marcus Renner of Appropriate Building Solutions.

Growing Threat: Nuclear Power Resurgence The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy offers an overview of the nuclear-power expansion efforts now under way that could bring new nuclear plants to the Southeast.

Healthy-Built Homes Learn about the N.C. Healthy Built Homes program, a voluntary statewide “green builder” effort led by the WNC Green Building Council, the N.C. Solar Center, the State Energy Office and other businesses and organizations.

Healthy Crawlspaces Learn how to create a nonvented crawlspace that will keep your home healthy, mold-free and dry with Isaac Savage of Home Energy Partners.

Hydrogen and Renewable Energy: Choosing The Future A forum on directing the events of the next 10 years toward a new era of economic fidelity, environmental conservation and national security. Led by Grant Millen of Public Fuel Cell.

Landscaping with Native Plants An introduction to the use of plants native to the Southern Appalachian region with Tom Mainolfi of Carolina Native Landscapes.

Micro-Hydro Systems If you have the right site and enough flowing water, a micro-hydro system can provide more power for less investment than any other type of sustainable-energy system. Learn more about the technology and how to avoid some very common problems and misconceptions.

Mortgage Free! Rob Roy, author of Mortgage Free!, explains proven ways to avoid holding a mortgage, including land procurement, securing a grubstake, designing a low-cost home, building as you go, temporary shelters and more.

N.C. Green Power Learn about the N.C. Green Power program, a cooperative effort involving utilities, sustainable-energy associations, environmental organizations and individuals to purchase “green” power for North Carolina. Support the program for as little as $4 each month.

Natural Building Methods Learn about building with straw bales, cordwood, adobe and cob, and discuss building codes, banks and insurance in relation to natural building with Marcus Renner of Appropriate Building Solutions.

Nuclear-Transportation Hazards Learn how the current routes for transporting hazardous and radioactive materials in WNC are a tragedy in the making with WNC Physicians for Social Responsibility, the Nuclear Information Resources Network and Common Sense at the Nuclear Crossroads.

Old Vegetable Stories Peter Marks of the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project will explain what’s special about heirloom produce and what’s good and bad about hybrid varieties while sharing the fascinating stories behind some of our centuries-old vegetable varieties.

Photovoltaic Systems Find out more about photovoltaic systems in this informal Q&A session with Bryan Walsh of Solar Connexion.

Post-Peak Oil Plans Mountain Xpress reporter, author, organic gardener, philosopher and veteran off-gridder Cecil Bothwell discusses the shape of things to come as we slide down the backside of the world’s oil-production peak.

Practical Forest Stewardship This presentation covers critical stewardship activities every landowner should undertake, opportunities to manage for timber and other natural products, and local resources to help accomplish these goals.

Promoting Solar Locally Learn about the N.C. Million Solar Roofs Initiative, which works at the local level to promote the benefits of solar energy through outreach programs to homeowners, businesses, schools and local governments, along with other efforts.

Radiant-Slab Floor Systems Radiant floor systems offer homes and businesses an efficient way to harness solar-thermal energy. Learn how they’re installed, the types of heat sources that can be used, costs and more with Beach Barrett of Thermacraft.

Rainwater 101 This primer on rainwater harvesting includes do’s and don’ts, filtration, collection, storage and pumping.

Retrofitting for Building Performance Learn how to retrofit existing homes to improve energy performance and air quality while saving money with Isaac Savage of Home Energy Partners.

Save the Planet with Your Knife and Fork Learn how vegetarianism is among the most meaningful environmental actions an individual can take with Stewart David, president of Carolina Animal Action.

Solar Cookers Appalachian State University’s Solar Energy Society tells how to build your own solar oven and explores how this technology can help Third World countries facing shortages of energy and natural resources.

Solar-Hot-Water Systems They have the fastest payback period of any sustainable-energy system. Learn about options, basic system components and the advantages of using free solar energy with Ole Sorensen of Solar Dynamics.

Solar Water Pumping Learn about direct PV systems, battery-free systems, demand-pressure tank systems and more with Vertis Bream of Energy Options and Construction.

Starting Simple With Solar An introduction to the many options for simple, inexpensive solar applications with Aur “De Solar Mon” Beck, founder of the Illinois Renewable Energy Association and radio host of Your Community Spirit.

Stone-Circle Building A rare opportunity to learn from internationally recognized expert Rob Roy, author of Stone Circles: A Modern Builders Guide to the Megalithic Revival.

Stopping New Nuclear Power Plants Duke Power and Dominion Virginia Power have applied for permits for new nuclear reactors. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has restricted citizens’ input into these plans, but find out what you can still do to stop these new plants with Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League.

The Problems With Nuclear Power An introduction to the negative health impacts, deceptive claims and pollutants of the nuclear-power industry.

Who Grows Your Food? Learn how food production in this country, even within the “natural” and “organic” food movements, is concentrated in the hands of a few big players, and how to incorporate more local foods into your diet, with Peter Marks from ASAP.

Wind Systems An introduction to wind power and applications for small-scale residential systems by the experienced folks at ASU’s Small Wind Initiative.