S.E.E. Expo workshops

Here’s a complete list of the workshops and other special programs at the expo. These presentations are included in the admission price (click here to download the printer-friendly .pdf schedule, “2007SEESchedule.pdf” for more details).
Classrooms “A” & “B” are tents adjacent to McGough Arena. Classrooms “C” & “D” are adjacent to the Green Home Show in Davis Arena.

ACTIVISM 101 – Saturday 11:30 “B” & Sunday 10:30 “D”
Avram Friedman of The Canary Coalition will speak on grassroots mobilization for clean air and on climate-change issues at a time when a new generation of coal-burning and nuclear power plants is planned.

ADVANCED BUILDING TECHNIQUES – Friday 2:30 “C” & Sunday 12:30 “C”
Marcus Renner of Appropriate Building Solutions on advances in the construction industry that improve quality and sustainability.

ALTERNATIVE FUELS FORUM – Saturday 10:30 Clean-Air Car Fair arena
The Environmental and Conservation Organization presents a look at the cleaner, alternative-fueled vehicles available today and how they can positively impact our environment and regional economy.

AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH – Friday 4:30 “B” & Sunday 1:30 “B”
Aur Beck, trained by Al Gore and The Climate Project, on the contributions you can make toward reversing global climate change.

BACKHOME CHAPTERS – Saturday 4:30 “D”
An informal presentation by BackHome Chapter members about their ongoing projects and activities, and how to find like-minded folks to share your interest in sustainability.

BATTERIES FOR POWER SYSTEMS – Saturday 11:30 “A” & Sunday 2:30 “B”
Tim Moates, nationally recognized sustainable-energy expert and author, on the basics of batteries for off-grid energy systems.

BIOFUELS FOR N.C.—A STRATEGIC PLAN – Saturday 1:30 “A”
Peter Kauber, Guilford Solar and Ghasem Shahbazi on the Strategic Plan for Biofuels Leadership, a blueprint for producing, distributing and promoting biofuels in N.C.

BIOFUELS 101 – Friday 3:30 “B” & Sunday 1:30 “A”
Brian Winslett of Blue Ridge Biofuels on the pros and cons of biodiesel and its potential to reduce dependency on foreign oil. Ethics, politics and the environment; ethanol basics and more.

BIOFUELS FEEDSTOCKS UPDATE – Saturday 4:30 “A” & Sunday 3:30 “D”
John Bonitz of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy on the “feed vs. fuel” debate in biofuels, with a focus on the near-term prospects of oilseed production for biodiesel.

BIOFUELS PANEL DISCUSSION – Saturday 3:30 “A”
A Q&A session on anything and everything biodiesel-related, hosted by Blue Ridge Biofuels and Piedmont Biofuels. Come ready to ask questions.

COMMON SENSE AT THE NUCLEAR CROSSROADS – Saturday 3:30 “D”
Investigative journalist Mike Hopping and author John Sticpewich on plans for the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership—and why WNC is at risk for becoming an even larger hub in the nuclear-waste shell game.

DELUSIONAL SUICIDE OR GAIA’S REVENGE? – Saturday 12:30 “B”
Retired physician Richard Fireman, editor of www.sustainablewnc.org and regional director of NC Interfaith Power & Light, brings a lifetime of health-crisis experience to a lively roundtable discussion on the Earth’s health in crisis.

DEVELOPING A SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS – Saturday 11:30 “D” & Sunday 11:30 “D”
Eric Henry of the award-winning T.S. Designs, a sustainable-apparel manufacturer, on incorporating photovoltaics, biofuels, wind power, composting, graywater systems and more into business operations.

ECO CLEAN-AIR CAR FAIR
The Environmental and Conservation Organization invites you to discover the most environmentally friendly vehicles available today. Cars on display all weekend.

ENERGY POLICY AND THE NC MARKET – Friday 12:30 “B”
McCayne Miller of the NC Sustainable Energy Association will give an update on the General Assembly’s recently concluded legislative session and what it means for North Carolina’s energy future.

GLOBAL WARMING FOR THE GREEN-HEARTED – Friday 2:30 “B”
Amy MacDonald of Environmental Defense and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy discusses climate-change policy in the Southeast and how to pressure legislators.

GLOBAL WARMING AND FEDERAL ENERGY POLICY – Saturday 10:30 “B”
Jennifer Rennicks of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy on what changes may come out of Washington in the coming year to reduce pollution that contributes to global warming.

GOT ORGANIC? – Friday 1:30 “D” & Saturday 2:30 “D” & Sunday 2:30 “D”
Debi Athos and Lance Kurland, coordinators of Asheville’s annual Organicfest, on the expanding organic-food market.

GREEN BUILDING 101: AN INTRO TO SUSTAINABLE BUILDING – Friday 4:30 “D” & Saturday 1:30 “C” & Sunday 10:30 “C”
Marcus Renner of Appropriate Building Solutions gives an overview of sustainable construction and living. Beginners welcome.

GREEN PARTY! – Friday 12:30 “D” & Saturday 12:30 “D”
Meet NC Mountain Green Party members for a lively presentation and Q&A on environmental wisdom, social justice and grass-roots democracy. Led by David Ireland and other party members.

HEALTHY CRAWLSPACES – Friday 12:30 “C” & Sunday 11:30 “C”
Isaac Savage of Home Energy Partners will show you how to create a nonvented crawlspace that will keep your home healthy, mold-free and dry.

INDEPENDENT ENERGY PROGRAMS – Saturday 2:30 “B”
Our energy systems use 9 billion gallons of water each day, and new power plants will only increase usage. Six states have turned to independent energy-efficiency programs to speed renewable development and help customers save. Hope Taylor-Guevara of Clean Water for North Carolina presents.

KICKING THE (RECYCLED) TIRES ON GREEN PRODUCTS – Saturday 3:30 “C”
Green building is growing, and so is the number of green products available. LEED-accredited interior designer Vicki Schomer shows how to avoid “greenwashing.”

LIVING COMPLEXLY SO OTHERS MAY SIMPLY LIVE – Saturday 1:30 “D”
Investigative journalist, award-winning author and 20-year off-grid veteran Cecil Bothwell talks about curbing greenhouse gases, growing food and other not-so-simple lifestyle changes.

MARKETING 101 FOR BUILDERS AND REALTORS – Saturday 10:30 “C” & Sunday 3:30 “C”
Isaac Savage of Home Energy Partners presents a new vocabulary for talking about quality construction and communicating value in a green market.

MICROHYDRO SYSTEMS – Sunday 10:30 “A”
Dave Hollister of Sundance Power Systems lays out the basics on microhydro, which can provide more power for less investment than any other sustainable energy system.

N.C. GREEN POWER – Friday 1:30 “A”
Learn about renewable-energy technologies in N.C. and how they provide reliable electric-power generation that promotes energy security and a cleaner environment.

N.C. SOLAR TAX CREDITS – Friday 4:30 “C” & Saturday 2:30 “C”
North Carolina has some of the most generous tax credits for solar energy. Steve Kalland of the North Carolina Solar Center presents a look at these incentives.

NATURAL BUILDING METHODS – Saturday 11:30 “C” & Sunday 2:30 “C”
Marcus Renner of Appropriate Building Solutions discusses straw-bale, cordwood, adobe and cob.

NUCLEAR POWER: FALSE SOLUTION TO CLIMATE CHANGE Saturday 1:30 “B” & Sunday 11:30 “B”
Mary Olson of the Nuclear Information and Resource Service on why nuclear power can’t solve the climate crisis.

PRACTICAL PHOTOVOLTAICS – Friday 2:30 “A” & Saturday 2:30 “A”
A Q&A session with Bryan Walsh of the Solar Connexion. His experience extends to PV panels, controllers, batteries, inverters and more.

RADIANT-SLAB FLOOR SYSTEMS – Friday 4:30 “A” & Sunday 12:30 “B”
Radiant floor systems offer homes and businesses an efficient way to harness solar thermal energy and direct it into the floor. Presented by Beach Barrett of Thermacraft.

RAINWATER 101 – Friday 1:30 “C” & Saturday 4:30 “C”
Shawn Hatley of BRAE presents a primer on how to tap the bounty of the rainfall.

RENEWABLE ENERGY FOR COMMERCIAL CLIENTS – Friday 1:30 “B” & Sunday 1:30 “D”
Peter Kublickis of Sundance Power Systems discusses solar-thermal and solar-electric systems in housing developments, office buildings, restaurants and even manufacturing facilities.

RETROFITTING FOR BUILDING PERFORMANCE Friday 3:30 “C” & Saturday 12:30 “C” & Sunday 1:30 “C”
Isaac Savage of Home Energy Partners on how to retrofit your home to improve energy performance and save money.

SAVE THE PLANET WITH YOUR KNIFE AND FORK! Friday 2:30 “D” & Saturday 10:30 “D” & Sunday 12:30 “D”
Stewart David, president of Carolina Animal Action, argues that while meat production is energy-intensive and polluting, vegetarianism is among the most meaningful environmental actions an individual can take.

SOLAR HOT-WATER SYSTEMS – Saturday 10:30 “A”
Find out about the extensive applications for solar hot water from Ole Sorensen of Solar Dynamics.

SOLAR-ELECTRIC SYSTEMS: OVERVIEW AND APPLICATIONS – Sunday 12:30 “A”
Dave Hollister of Sundance Power Systems shares his years of experience designing and installing photovoltaic systems, discussing the basics of system design and applications.

SOLAR HOT-WATER AND SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS – Sunday 2:30 “A”
Dave Hollister of Sundance Power Systems describes various designs, including solar-supported radiant floor heating and other hydronic or forced-air systems.

SOLAR WATER PUMPING – Saturday 3:30 “B” & Sunday 3:30 “B”
Vertis Bream of Energy Options & Construction discusses solar water-pumping systems, sizing and installation issues.

STARTING SIMPLE WITH SOLAR – Sunday 10:30 “B” & Friday 12:30 “A”
Aur “De Solar Mon” Beck of Advanced Energy Solutions, covers solar attic fans, battery chargers, small power systems and more with ideas for reducing your power bills.

STRATEGIC ORGANIZING AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL – Friday 3:30 “D”
North Carolina has a lot of cultural, geographic and regional diversity. This session gives an overview of resources available in the mountains, piedmont and coastal areas; what community groups there are working on; and how to get involved.

SUSTAINABLE ENERGY COUNCIL OF WNC – Saturday 4:30 “B”
This newly formed group aims to analyze, research and advocate for public policy in energy efficiency, conservation and sustainable-energy systems.

SMALL-SCALE WIND POWER – Saturday 12:30 “A” & Sunday 11:30 “A”
Is the wind on your property strong enough to drive a wind turbine? Ole Sorenson of Solar Dynamics tells where to start, what to look for, who to talk to and more.

WIND SYSTEMS – Friday 3:30 “A” & Sunday 3:30 “A”
Learn about small-scale, residential wind systems, from site analysis to turbines to towers. A wealth of information presented by folks from Appalachian State University’s WNC Renewable Energy Initiative.