Session Daze - August 3, 2012

Clean energy leaders on deck in Philly on Sept. 13 - 14 
Governors, utility executives, renewable energy leaders, investors, policy makers, advocates — and a surprise or two — will be on hand at PennFuture's Clean Energy Conference. These people are the cream of the national clean energy crop, and they are assembling in Philadelphia on September 13 and 14. This is one you won't want to miss.

The latest clean energy leader to sign on as a presenter is former GOP U.S. Rep. Bob Inglis from South Carolina. Inglis just started theEnergy and Enterprise Initiative at George Mason University, where he launched a campaign to explore and promote conservative solutions to U.S. energy needs and climate change. He believes the free market can address both of these issues. We're thrilled he is joining us, and can't wait to hear his presentation.

If you don't register for the conference, you won't hear Rep. Inglis' perspectives on our future energy needs and solutions. We're making it easier for Session Daze readers to attend the conference by extending our Early Bird Discount. So register online today. You won't want to miss this great event.

You'll get a charge of out of this 
Ecotality, a clean electric transportation and storage company, will be offering its Blink smart-charging stations free to residential and commercial sites in the greater Philadelphia area. This great offer announced yesterday is part of the U.S. Department of Energy's EV Project, geared to get the vital charging infrastructure that electric vehicles need out to the region. This builds on the EV momentum in Philadelphia being generated by PECO, PhillyCarShare, the Phillies, and others.

A sustainable summer read 
PennFuture friend and Widener University Law Professor John C. Dernbach is the principal author of a new book that evaluates the progress being made toward a sustainable future in the United States. Acting as if Tomorrow Matters: Accelerating the Transition to Sustainability considers and analyzes a wide range of social, economic, and environmental indicators of sustainability and offers practical solutions for how we can accelerate the progress being made.

You need to try camping to be a happy camper 
If you've never tried camping, this summer is a great time to do so because of a partnership between Pennsylvania state parks and Gander Mountain. For $20, campers get two nights of camping at one of 20 state parks in Pennsylvania, free equipment rental, and hands-on instruction. The First-Time Camper Program is open to persons who have not yet camped in a Pennsylvania state park.

The return of crappy air — and what you can do about it 
This week marked the return of unhealthy air throughout the state. But you can take action to help make a difference. Changing what kind of energy you use and how you use it is the single most important thing you can do to fight air pollution, water pollution, and global warming, too. Find out how to do it by visiting our Summer of Energy campaign.

Pittsburghers can get a bonus for taking action, but the campaign info can help you no matter where you live.

PennFuture's Session Daze is designed to be a brief, informative and occasionally humorous look at
public policy in Pennsylvania. Please visit our website for more information about PennFuture.