Cincinnati's Energy, Economics & Environment Summit going for impact beyond today

Today marks the city sponsored Energy, Economics & Environment  (3E) summit, but the event is going for impact long beyond today for local businesses and nonprofits.

The second annual event, which runs this morning until 2 p.m., brings together 30 conservation minded exhibitors, and speakers who'll talk on energy saving topics. The business and community volunteers that organized the event believe that attendees will go back to their businesses and homes with real ways to conserve energy and water, and slash utility bills.  

Walk-ins are welcomed today at the event in the Duke Energy Convention Center. The cost is $50.

Speakers include James L. Turner is president and chief operating officer of Duke Energy's U.S. Franchised Electric and Gas business and Gary Jay Saulson, director of Corporate Real Estate for The PNC Financial Services Group, who also leads PNC's environmental strategy.

In addition to the speakers, there's also an Employee Energy Fair, free to the region's government employees, that will provide attendees with information on energy efficient homes, opportunities for financial assistance to help with energy upgrades, energy saving gadgets and recycling enhancements.

The 3E Summit is part of the city's Green Cincinnati plan. City Council passed the Green Cincinnati plan in 2008; it contains 80 specific steps the city can take to become a national leader in addressing global climate change by reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions 40% below 2006 levels by 2028. 

The city's efforts to reduce carbon emissions got a boost earlier this year when it received a $500,000 EPA Climate Showcase Community Award for the plan. The grant will be paid out over three years, and will allow the Office of Environmental Quality to more easily publicize the plan to business and community groups.

"The City of Cincinnati is serious about energy conservation. The City has committed to energy efficiency improvements in 69 City buildings, guaranteed to reduce City energy bills by at least $1.1 million annually. But improving our buildings is only half the story. The other half is encouraging the employees, businesses and nonprofits to take action to conserve energy," said City Manager Milton Dohoney. "This energy fair will give these groups the necessary knowledge and motivation to reduce their own energy use at home and work."

Can't make it? Get more information about the region's energy saving businesses here.

Writer: Feoshia Henderson
Source: Steve Johns, City of Cincinnati sustainability coordinator

You can follow Feoshia on twitter @feoshiawrites
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