Fourth annual Appalachian Energy Summit convenes July 13

Posted July 6, 2015 at 12:40 p.m.

BOONE—Representatives from UNC system universities, North Carolina’s private colleges and community colleges and out-of-state institutions will convene July 13 at Appalachian State University for the fourth annual Appalachian Energy Summit.

During the three-day summit, attendees will attend workshops, panel discussions and presentations focused on energy innovation, sustainability and savings.

Among program highlights, environmentalist and clean-energy advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will present a keynote address at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts on campus, Monday, July 13, at 7:30 p.m. His talk is free and open to the public.

Amory Lovins, chief scientist with the Rocky Mountain Institute in Colorado, will join Kennedy for a discussion about the challenges and opportunities of charting a clean-energy future.

Special Assistant to the Chancellor for Sustainability Ged Moody said, “The exchange between Lovins and Kennedy, sparked by questions submitted by an engaged and committed audience, should be lively, relevant and possibly revolutionary.”

Among other summit highlights, David Orr, the Paul Sears distinguished professor of environmental studies and politics and senior advisor to the president at Oberlin College, will speak to summit participants about the role of higher education in energy sustainability.

A panel of industry partners will share corporate utility-centered advances and innovation. Panelists include Greg Merritt, vice president of marketing and public affairs, CREE; Chris Halpern, president, Celtic Energy; Chuck McGinnis, senior director solutions, North America, Johnson Controls; Pam Maines, vice president, sales, Pepco Energy Services; and Chad Roberson, principal, Clark Nexsen.

In addition to university leaders, 70 students from the different campuses will attend the summit with several giving presentations on sustainability-related topics.

Since the summit began in 2011, campuses have generated $499 million in savings system wide, $103 million of which occurred in 2013-14. The long-range goal is to reduce utility costs by $1 billion by 2020 and $2 billion by 2025.

While the summit is for invited guests only, general information about the program and sustainability initiatives at Appalachian is online at http://appenergysummit2015.org.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.