Energy Forum Promises Intro to Energy Basics -- Released December 3, 2007

Article Body: To honor the legacy of the late Dr. William Hughes, a free public forum organized by Bridges for Intercultural Understanding entitled "What Every Citizen Needs to Know: Global Energy and Our Future" will be presented on Sunday, Dec. 9, at 3 p.m. in Classroom Building 204 at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

"Energy decisions affect the quality of our daily lives as well as our bank accounts. Understanding the basics of energy supply helps us to be informed and to influence policy decisions," Jackie Sargent, director of Power Marketing and Generation Dispatch, Black Hills Corp/Black Hills Power (BHC), said. Sargent will be one of the presenters at a public energy discussion this weekend.

Along with Sargent, Dr. Richard Gowen, former School of Mines president, and Dr. Sid Goss, professor of social sciences at the School of Mines, will give short overviews of energy production, distribution and demand. To pique audience interest with an alternative perspective, a School of Mines student environmental group offers a showing of "KILOWATT OURS" in Classroom Building 204 at 2 p.m. before the forum panel. Filmmaker Jeff Barrie's documentary challenges coal powered electric plants, in particular, while offering conservation solutions. Dr. John Usera, director of the Chiesman Foundation, will moderate the forum.

"During the forum, we will discuss what everyone needs to know about the use of energy, the continued availability of energy, and the effects of changing global populations. We will extend the concepts that Dr. Hughes presented in his book Energy 101 to the current use of hybrid cars, fuel cells, nuclear power and the effects on the environment," Dr. Gowen said.

How big is the global energy challenge? While Sargent's presentation will focus on energy consumption, peak demand and the resource alternatives available to serve electric utility customers here in the United States, Dr. Goss will illustrate how energy demands will keep increasing in the most populous parts of the work as modernization occurs.

With the help of BHC Governmental and Public Affairs Department, one of the forum sponsors, Bridges for Intercultural Understanding, will be sending each member of the 2008 South Dakota Legislature a copy of Dr. Hughes's book, "Energy 101: What Everyone (and Every Politician) Should Know." Utility School of Mines Bookstore will be also be selling copies at the forum.

Bridges for Intercultural Understanding proposed a three-part series to honor Bill Hughes, who was a founding member of BIU. The School of Mines, BHC Governmental and Public Affairs Department and The Journey Museum cosponsor Sunday's forum in cooperation with the Rapid City Journal and Rapid City Weekly News.

Planning has already begun for two more forums: "What Citizens Can Do: Being Green" in February 2008 and "What Citizens Believe: Do Spiritual and Cultural Values Shape Energy Policy" in March 2008.

Bridges for Intercultural Understanding, a Black Hills area group, has organized issues forums over the past four years. The group's mission is to facilitate public dialogue on intercultural issues, both global and local. For more information, contact planning team convener Donna Fisher at (605) 355-9532.

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Posted by Mitchell Vander Vorst on 12/3/2007 4:05:00 PM

Energy Forum Promises Intro to Energy Basics -- Released December 3, 2007

Energy Forum Promises Intro to Energy Basics -- Released December 3, 2007

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