Renewable Energy for Educators

SEI is offering a new workshop for educators. Educators attending this workshop will learn how to implement renewable energy curriculum into their k - 12 classrooms. Each day will include a hands-on element that can be employed in the classroom. In addition, participants will walk away with practical knowledge that they can apply in their own lives. Teaching kids about renewables can provide an element of excitement for science education, and hope for the future.

June 26 - 28 in Carbondale, CO
Click here for more information or to register.

Also, check out SEI's Solar In the Schools program.

Scholarships Provided for SEI Workshops

The Community Office for Resource Efficiency has given SEI money for scholarships for Roaring Fork Valley residents to take SEI solar hot water classes in an effort to increase the number of trained professionals working to install and maintain solar hot water systems. The green building code in Pitkin County, home of Aspen, CO, requires renewable energy on larger homes which has boosted the demand for professionals.

The Delta Montrose Electric Association that services the area surrounding SEI's Paonia Eco-campus has given money for scholarships for residents of that region to be used for any SEI workshop. Thank you to CORE and DMEA for supporting people to make career leaps into renewable energy and sustainable design. If you live in these geographic areas contact the SEI office nearest you for scholarship applications.

U.S. EPA Establishes Nation's First Renewable Fuel Standard

Last Tuesday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established the nation's first comprehensive Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program, which increases the use of alternative fuels and modernizes Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for cars. The RFS program requires major American refiners, blenders, and importers to use a minimum volume of renewable fuel each year between 2007 and 2012.

Read the full story at RenewableEnergyAccess.com

Design Charrette for SEI's Eco-Campus

Last month, SEI held a Design critique for our Paonia, Colorado Eco-Campus. Since the beginning of 2007, SEI has been working with students of an Advanced Green Building Studio at CU Denver and their professor Fred Andreas to develop a plan for our new Eco-Campus. The class developed a program which includes a visitor center, kitchen/café, library, classrooms, research labs, dormitories, bunkhouses and faculty live/work areas. The students presented a collage of conceptual drawings of specific buildings and areas.

The studio is now in the final phase of the project; a campus layout was chosen, building elevation drawings are being finalized, and a landscape architect is working on vegetation drawings. There will be a final critique in early May with a jury of Architects and SEI staff. If you would like to receive more information about this process or the SEI Paonia Eco-Campus please contact Matthew Harris in our Paonia office.

Dam Nation: A Book About the Politics of Water

SEI alum Laura Allen is co-editor of the newly released book Dam Nation: Dispatches from the Water Underground. The book is an anthology of writings, drawings and photographs that investigate the political economy and environmental impact of water and water consumption. It also provides practical advice on how to extricate one's home, school, or workplace from the wasteful water grid. Dam Nation is published by Soft Skull Press.

For more information check out Laura's and co-editor Cleo Woelfle-Erskine's website at www.greywaterguerrillas.com.

Your Generosity Ensures our Success!

SEI would like to welcome new members! As a membership-based non-profit, SEI's members are the heart of our organization and allow us to continue our educational programs. SEI Staff are passionate about the work we do and membership dues help sustain our renewable energy endeavors.

Please join us! Membership benefits include (depending on membership level) discounts on workshops, a one year subscription to either Home Power magazine or E magazine, an organic cotton/hemp SEI t-shirt, a SEI bumpersticker, and more!

Click here for details on how to become an SEI member.

To all SEI members . . . SEI sends thanks!