Sustainable Building at SEI

SEI just completed the first straw bale structure on our Paonia Eco-Campus this past April in our 3-day Straw Bale Design & Construction workshop. Sixteen students learned the fundamentals of designing and building a straw bale building and built a straw bale shed.

As SEI moves forward with the planning and building of our Eco-Campus we look forward to offering more natural building workshops and opportunities for students to learn how to build with local indigenous natural materials.

Coming up this summer we have two more workshops on our campus; Designing & Building Natural Homes and Plaster for Natural Homes.

These workshops are part of our Sustainable Building Workshop Series, and focus on the design and construction of sustainable residential projects. For more information on our Sustainable building Workshops visit our website at www.solarenergy.org .

Extending Solar Tax Credits

Are you ready for our country to set a new course towards a clean energy future? The Securing America´s Energy Independence Act (S.590, H.R.550) does just that. The existing tax credits, which have been driving strong demand for solar and fuel cells, are set to expire in 2008. The Securing America´s Energy Independence Act will ensure a full 10-year program that will bring solar energy and fuel cells into the mainstream; strengthening our economy, reducing our energy dependence and fighting global warming.

Click here to ask your representatives in Congress to set a new path and co-sponsor the Securing America's Energy Independence Act.

Renewable Energy Travel

SEI's International Program is growing. If you want to learn how to implement renewable energy technologies in the developing world, you can study in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Mexico. These international workshops all incorporate hands-on projects in rural communities. Each workshop offers a different experience from building solar ovens with local women's groups to building methane biodigestors at rural farms.

The next international workshop is Renewable Energy for the Developing World - Hands-On which will be held in northern Nicaragua. Participants will live with local families, install a solar electric system for a rural household, and be taught by local Nicaraguan technicians.

If you would like to learn about renewables for the developing world in the developing world check out these workshops:

• Renewable Energy for the Developing World - Nicaragua, November 12 - 17, 2007
• Renewable Energy for the Developing World - Costa Rica, January 21-27, 2008
• Ecology, Permaculture, & Renewable Energy - Ecuador, February 8 - 14, 2008
• Appropriate Technology for the Developing World - Mexico, April 2008

IPCC Report: A Call for U.S. Lawmakers to Act

According to the newly released report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the technological resources are available to solve the world's looming environmental problems. According to the IPCC, the answer is developing massive amounts of renewable energy, encouraging energy efficiency and creating a global greenhouse gas cap and trade system. So, the solutions are in front of us, but how will U.S. lawmakers respond to the challenges at hand? RenewableEnergyAccess.com has a report on whether the talk in Washington can translate into action. Listen to the podcast here.

The 2007 Sustainable Design Competition

The US Green Building Council's (USGBC) Colorado Chapter has partnered with SEI to launch the Natural Talent 2007 Design Competition. This partnership provides an applied learning experience in the principles of integrated design, passive design strategies, sustainability, innovation, and social consciousness to emerging designers. The challenge of this year's competition is to design a net carbon neutral multi-use building for SEI's new Eco-Campus utilizing principles and practices of sustainable design. Participants will compete to be one of five local finalists, the top winner of which will move on to compete for a national award at Greenbuild this Fall.

Please join us for a presentation by SEI followed by an open jury to select this year's winners from five talented finalists. When: June 4th, 5:30 -­ 8:30 PM Where: REI Denver, 1416 Platte St. Admission: $20 Non-Members, $15 Chapter Members, $10 Student RSVP: Please RSVP by the prior Thursday at Noon, to Cassandra Coombe <cassandra@associates3.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!