By GREG PAHL

The 8th annual Vermont Renewable Energy Conference and Expo titled “Vermont’s Energy Future” will be held October 28 and 29 at the Sheraton Burlington Conference Center at 870 Williston Road in South Burlington.

As oil and other energy prices remain unstable and doubt grows about future supplies and Vermont’s power contracts with Vermont Yankee and Hydro Quebec, there is interest in renewable energy, and an increasing number of Vermonters want access to clean, secure energy that also supports the local economy.

The move towards greater reliance on renewable energy is gathering strong momentum, especially in light of recent state energy legislation. The Vermont Renewable Energy Conference and Expo is designed to meet the increasing demand for renewable energy information and spur development of the renewable energy industry throughout the state, especially at the local level.

Included is a series of 30-minute renewable energy presentations by the state’s leading renewable energy companies. Homeowners and businesspersons can quickly learn about different renewable energy options and the incentives and energy programs that are available. A networking reception at the exhibit is scheduled from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The conference session and full trade show is scheduled for October 29 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Renewable Energy Champion Awards will be presented.

Admission to the entire two-day event is $125 for REV members and $195 for non-members. Those who just want to attend the Oct. 28 public expo can pay $10. Those who only want to visit the trade show and not listen to seminars and keynote speakers can pay $20 to attend Oct. 28 or $25 to attend both days.

Representatives of renewable energy companies in Vermont will have exhibits.

“We promote renewables by educating organizations, businesses and individuals on the real benefits and potential of renewable energy,” said Andrew Perchlik, executive director of Renewable Energy Vermont.

The conference is designed for the public, the business community, the renewable energy industry, state government and other organizations. The event will feature keynote presentations by nationally recognized renewable energy professionals. It will also feature renewable energy workshop sessions and industry exhibits. Panel topics include renewable energy heating, wind and solar power and 2010 legislative energy priorities.

“One of our main goals is getting the message out that we have a vision for Vermont’s energy future that relies on the greatly increased use of local renewables, and that we see this as primarily an economic development issue,” Perchlik said.


“We send well over $1 billion out of state every year for energy that we could be producing, to a great extent, right here in Vermont,” he said.

It will also be a venue for learning about the latest renewable technologies and how they are being utilized in a variety of renewable energy projects around the state, according to Perchlik. There will be exhibitors from national and local renewable energy companies at the conference.

“This applies to anyone who is thinking about the energy needs for their business, even if they are just a small company that buys all their power from their local utility,” he said. “If they are interested in looking at a renewable energy system to offset some of their energy costs, this will be a great place to come and talk to experts about their renewable energy options and the state and federal incentive programs available.”

Renewable Energy Vermont is a trade group that works to bring about an intelligent transformation from a foreign fossil fuel-based economy to one increasingly based more on local renewable energy. It is comprised of renewable energy companies, institutional and academic partners and Vermont citizens. REV members are experts in helping homes and businesses generate their own clean power and heat.

The premium sponsor of the conference is NRG Systems of Hinesburg, with additional support from businesses and organizations including EarthTurbines of Williston, Energy Investment Corporation of Burlington and Vermont Solar Engineering of Burlington.

Registration is available online at www.revermont.org. For information, call 802.229.0099, e-mail info@REVermont.org or visit www.revermont.org.