New College, Sarasota County Team Up to Help Community and State Get EmPowered
Riding a wave of enthusiasm for alternative and renewable energy solutions that have been championed by Gov. Charlie Crist, Sarasota County and New College of Florida are organizing Get EmPowered 2008. The symposium will be held from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 22 in the Sudakoff Center at New College of Florida. Registration for the event is $50 and includes a continental breakfast and lunch. Attendance is free for New College students, faculty and staff, although reservations are required. For reservation information, visit the Sarasota County Government website at www.scgov.net/getempowered. Sudakoff Center is located one block north of University Parkway off General Spaatz Boulevard in Sarasota.
The energy symposium will provide a forum for local, state and national representatives, along with influential business and civic leaders, to focus on ways to achieve Governor Crist’s three executive orders to (1.) reduce greenhouse gas emissions, (2.) increase energy efficiency and security, and (3.) position Florida as a hub of innovation to develop and commercialize green energy technologies.
“There is no more important issue facing our community, state and nation, than that of sustainable, renewable, alternative energy,” said Sarasota County Commission Chair Shannon Staub in announcing the event. “This symposium provides the opportunity for the residents of Sarasota County, our cities and our region to help define a framework policy and strategy that may guide us to a sustainable future. And it is a wonderful opportunity to meet with influential leaders in the renewable and alternative energy field.”
For New College President Gordon Michalson, the partnership was a natural choice. “We are delighted to join Sarasota County in sponsoring discussions about this vital topic and the search for solutions to critical problems,” he said. “New College is proud of the environmental emphasis in its academic programs and has set a bold agenda for achieving a sustainable campus environment through aggressive goals set forth in the College’s Master Plan and as part of the national Presidents’ Climate Commitment campaign. It is our hope that this symposium will contribute to meeting these goals and to creating a sustainable future for our community and our state.”
To emphasize the symposium’s focus, Florida Power & Light’s Sunshine Energy Program will donate Renewable Energy Credits to offset greenhouse gas emissions associated with the symposium’s travel, building energy use and food. These will be local credits from generating renewable energy at Florida Power & Light’s new 250 kilowatt solar array at Rothenbach Park on Bee Ridge Road.
This workshop is presented with generous support from sponsoring agencies and businesses, including New College of Florida, Sarasota County.
For more information about the event, or to learn about sponsorship or exhibition opportunities, contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 941-861-5000 and ask for the Get EmPowered energy symposium, or visit www.scgov.net/getempowered.