On Saturday, December 5, 2009 University of Vermont Extension and the Vermont Energy & Climate Action Network will host a daylong conference focused on community solutions to the challenges posed by increasing energy costs and climate change. The conference will take place at Lake Morey Resort in Fairlee, VT.

Building on the success of last year's conference, this event will bring together municipal officials, town energy committees, interested citizens and energy specialists. The goal for the day is to generate concrete strategies for positive solutions into the hands of community leaders. The conference will feature a combination of workshops, presentations, and roundtable discussions. Keynote speakers include Senator Bernard Sanders, the only a member of the Senate majority to sit on both the Environment and Public Works and the Energy and Natural Resources Committees, and Patrick Parenteau, Professor of Law and Senior Counsel in the Environmental Law Clinic at Vermont Law School.

In addition to UVM Extension and the Vermont Energy & Climate Action Network, the 2009 Community Energy & Climate Change is being co-sponsored by the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation, Biomass Energy Resource Center, Chittenden County Metropolitan Planning Organization, Green Mountain Power, groSolar, Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Vermont Department of Public Service, Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund, Burlington Electric, Washington Electric Coop, and the Vermont Planners' Association.

Featured topics include developing community wind and solar projects, alternative heating strategies for schools and municipal buildings, promoting alternative and public transit in your community and keys to successful town energy planning. Participants will hear about strategies that are already in place as well as brainstorm ideas for their communities. Over 200 individuals participated in the 2008 conference and many walked away with concrete strategies. One attendee reported,"our energy committee is working with the school board to make sure efficiency is a priority when implementing school building improvements this fall."

The complete conference brochure and registration materials are available online at www.regonline.com/VTEnergy or by contacting UVM Extension at 802-223-2389 ext.13. The registration fee for the conference is $20/person and includes lunch and workshop materials.

If you require accommodations or financial assistance to participate in this program, please contact Mary Peabody at 1-802-223-2389 or Mary.Peabody@uvm.edu by November 20 so we may assist you. The University of Vermont Extension and USDA, cooperating, offer education and employment to everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or familial status.