8 – 8:45 a.m. Registration and continental breakfast
8:45 – 9:45 a.m. Opening General Session
Topic: Environmental Stewardship
10 – 10:45 a.m. Clinic Sessions
Renewable Energy – There are tremendous benefits to implementing renewable energy sources in our schools. Learn about various types of renewable energy that some Michigan schools have employed. We’ll discuss the costs, application, and practicality for these sources specific to Michigan.
Presenter(s) – Kevin Cook, President, Michigan Green
High Performance Buildings – In April 2007 the U.S. Green Building Council introduced a new LEED certification program for schools with the objective of having every child in the United States attending a green school in one generation. Green schools cost less than 2 percent more than conventional schools, but provide benefits well in excess of the investment. Green schools enhance student learning, reduce health and operational costs, and ultimately increase school quality and competitiveness.
Presenter(s) – Dan Jacobs, Principal, A3C and Renae Hesselink, Vice President of Sustainability, Nichols
Collaborative Energy Management – Hear concepts designed to engage all stakeholders in a school district in efforts to reduce a district’s environmental footprint. Schools must get active when it comes to reducing energy usage. Not only do we need to make everyone aware, but there are real savings available at a time when everyone is concerned about funding.
Presenter(s) Rob De Boer, Program Consultant and Brandy Minikey, Energy Efficiency Consultant, MSBO Energy Essentials program
Understanding the Supply Side – There are opportunities to save significant dollars when purchasing energy. You don’t always have to just accept the deal your local utility company is offering. Additionally, there are important components such as rate schedules and other fees that you should be aware of when it comes to your utility bills. There are also opportunities to create more budget stability when purchasing diesel fuel.
Presenter(s) – Jeff Clark, Executive Vice President, Summit Energy Services, Inc., Michigan Schools Energy Cooperative
Michigan Green Jobs – Michigan is a state embracing the green economy through many innovative ways. Learn the plans being developed to engage partners and stakeholders in this effort to make Michigan the leader in this growing opportunity.
Presenters Amy Butler and Diana Carpenter – Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth
10:45 – 11 a.m. Break
11 – 11:45 a.m. Clinic Sessions (repeated)
Renewable Energy
High Performance Buildings
Collaborative Energy Management
Understanding the Supply Side
Michigan Green Jobs
11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Lunch
12:30 – 1 p.m. Networking and tour of facility
1 – 1:45 p.m. Clinic Sessions
Energy Policy and Regulation – Find out what is happening in Michigan regarding energy policy and renewable portfolio standards and how it all may impact rates and the implications for schools. Presenter(s) - Tom Stanton, Manager, Michigan Public Service Commission
Long Term Impact: Teaching Kids About Energy – Hear about curriculum resources designed to teach students about energy; not only what it is, but how to understand it from a practical life skill perspective, along with the need and benefits of conservation.
Presenter(s) – Mary Spruill, Executive Director and Keith Etheridge, Training Director, The NEED Project
Transportation Counts, Too – Strategies to reduce fuel consumption in a district’s transportation fleet. There are policies and practices that a district can employ that significantly reduce costs in a transportation operation through lower fuel usage.
Presenter(s) – Tim Ammon, Vice President, Management Partnership Services and MI Transportation Director
Performance Contracting – When considering how to finance needed equipment upgrades, performance contracting can be an attractive approach. Understanding how to ensure you get what you need, along with a proper and fair financing structure, will be discussed.
Presenter(s) – Michigan Green
Funding Renewable Energy - A discussion of how to get started on a renewable project highlighting the funding mechanisms available to school districts which include: partnering with private entities, available grants and incentives (both State and Federal), voted and non-voted bond proceeds, lease purchase and installment purchase agreements as well as the potential use of sinking funds. In addition, learn about the Federal government’s new Clean Renewable Energy Bond (CREB) program for funding renewable energy projects at zero interest.
Presenter(s) – Kari Costanza, Attorney, Thrun Law Firm, P.C.
1:45 – 2 p.m. Break
2 – 2:45 p.m. Clinic Sessions (repeated)
Policy and Regulation
Long Term Impact: Teaching Kids About Energy
Transportation Counts, Too
Performance Contracting
Funding Renewable Energy
3 – 3:30 p.m. General Session
Speaker: George Heartwell, Mayor, Grand Rapids
Mayor Heartwell is a founding member of the Mayors’ Alliance for Green Schools. You won’t want to miss him describe the exciting progress toward sustainability taking place in Grand Rapids and the opportunities for citizens and school districts to impact their communities in this critical area.