Breakout Sessions

Track One

• Policy - The focus is on policy change and affect regarding energy audit stimuli, better practice incentives, and other issues relevant to Michigan's energy reliability, utilization, and efficiency. This session will be facilitated by a representative from Department of Energy, Brian Olsen.



• Utilities - The focus is on future plans for power generation. Discussion shall center on what the role(s) of Utilities are in the advancement, change, and integration of renewable energy sources in Michigan's energy efficiency and in reducing imported raw energy volume into the state of Michigan. Clean Air Act requirements and challenges that Utilities face along with regulatory requirements and their affect on future energy costs will be included. This session facilitated by representatives from Consumer Energy, George Hass and DTE Energy, Raymond Zoia.
  
  
• Renewable Energy - The focus is on definition of renewable energy and available implementation incentives. Discussion shall include renewable energy choices and how they can help individuals, organizations, government and the state at large, as well as how Michigan can integrate these into the state's energy portfolio. This session facilitated by representatives from Mackinaw Power, Rich Vander Veen and United Solar Ovonic, LLC, Doris Harbor-Hollins.

Track Two

• Architectural/Engineering Environment - The focus is on the responsibilities of the construction industry professionals in leading overall practices toward higher levels of energy efficiency in buildings knowing that buildings consume over 80% of all energy produced by utility power plants. This session facilitated by a representative from C2AE, Craig Jansen.
  
  
• Manufacturers-Suppliers - The focus will be on the responsibility manufacturers and suppliers have to Michigan consumers in promoting and providing newer and higher energy efficient products and associated practices into their everyday world.  Discussion shall include challenges manufacturers face with refrigerant phase-out requirements and government regulated minimum efficiency standards. This session facilitated by a representative from TRANE, Don Eppelheimer.
  
  
• LEED End Users - The focus is on the role energy end users have to stimulate higher levels of energy efficiency through sustainable practices of construction and building usage.  Discussion shall include LEED certification and costs. This session facilitated by a representative from Herman Miller, Jerry Aker.

Track Three

• External Views (outside of Michigan) - Focus is on other states outside of Michigan and how they stimulate higher levels of energy efficiency, use of renewable energy, and state policy changes to create a higher awareness in the general public towards better energy efficiency. This session facilitated by a representative from IBACOS, Anthony Stamatopoulos.
  
  
• Energy Education - Focus is on what is being done to educate people in the areas of energy efficiency, energy auditing and energy usage along with suggestions on improvement to gain additional education opportunities for the state of Michigan.  Discussion shall include what educational institutions are doing to promote and educate students in energy awareness. This session facilitated by Mike Korcal, Assistant Professor, HVACR Department, Ferris State University.
  
  
• Economics - Focus is on the real economics Michigan is facing by not endorsing and practicing higher levels of energy efficiency as well as stimulate economic discuss on the possibilities Michigan could enjoy if higher levels of general energy efficiency were developed in including new business and jobs.  This session facilitated by a representative from Central Michigan University, Dr. Theodore Bolema.