Announcement from Blue Ridge Sustainability Institute:
Those of you who have attended past Green Mondays have heard speakers report that buildings and the appliances in them use 42% of U.S. energy. You've also heard that Western North Carolina imported $3.2 billion of energy in 2009, a figure that is certainly higher now given the increase in energy costs. The quickest, cheapest way to reduce that energy bill is by improving building energy efficiency.

BRSI's September 19th Green Monday will feature a report on our Energy Upfit Campaign, which we hope will catalyze efforts to reduce building energy use.

• John Stevens, BRSI's Executive Director will introduce the discussion with an overview of BRSI.
• Tim Ballard, Energy Upfit Manager, will present the vision we have for the energy campaign.
• Randy Talley, Owner of Green Sage Café and Chair of the Asheville Independent Restaurant (AIR)'s Green Team, will describe the joint project BRSI and AIR have undertaken to upgrade the efficiency of 17 local restaurants and position them to achieve Green Certified Restaurant ® status. This effort is funded by the restaurants and a $258,000 grant from the North Carolina Green Business Fund.
• Steve Cochran, BRSI Principle and Energy Action Council Steward, will describe efforts to mobilize the business and financial communities in support of energy upfit activities.

After these short presentations, we will invite the audience to join the discussion with questions and comments. The Campaign is still in its formative stage and your suggestions can help shape its future direction.

The September 19th Green Monday will be held in the Board Room of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce Building, from 3:00-4:30 p.m. Join us for what promises to be a lively session.

Green Mondays are funded by a grant from Progress Energy, with support from the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and Purplecat Networks.

Short presentations from speakers will be followed by a general discussion. Green Monday events are facilitated by Paul Dezendorf, BRSI's Grant Manager.

Green Mondays are open to the public.

Join us on September 19th from 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. for what promises to be a lively and informative discussion.

Monthly Green Monday events take place at the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce located at 36 Montford Avenue, Asheville.

Thanks to the WNC Green Building Council for the story lead.Read the full article