Join us at this monthly meet to discuss the nuts and bolts of how to start a clean energy business. Bring your business ideas and questions & learn what the opportunities are in this sector.

We will have with us a couple of experienced people from within this sector joining us in a very informal “mini-panel” format.

The smart grid has become a rapidly growing movement to design and implement the concept of an intelligent energy system that is more efficient, robust, flexible and sustainable.

Join our distinguished panel to gain a basic understanding of how the systems we use for electric energy generation, distribution and consumption are evolving to better meet the needs of society and entrepreneurial opportunities available.

Roger Hicks - What is the smart grid and why should we care? An introduction to the smart grid concept along with a summary of problems it will address and some business opportunity examples in the emerging clean energy marketplace.

John Thornton, VP Manufacturing & Supply Chain, Porteon Electric Vehicles Inc - Moving towards the intelligent convergence of vehicles, buildings and electric utilities. An overview of perspectives on the future of transportation and sustainability: electric vehicles (EVs) and the Smart Grid as enabling technologies.

Steve Jennings, Chief Marketing Officer, BPL Global - The Smart Grid: Today and Tomorrow. Learn where smart grid technology is today and a look at future opportunities. Also, BPL Global's role in enabling electricity grid intelligence to transform energy efficiency and reliability.

Cost: Online: Members - $15, Non-Members - $25 Onsite: $5 more

      <p align="left"><strong>ABOUT THE PROGRAM:</strong><br />

The House of Representatives recently took historic action to rein in global warming pollution and jumpstart America's clean energy industries by passing the American Clean Energy and Security Act. This bill invests in energy that can’t ever spill or run out, will create millions of jobs at home and around the country, and protect our planet for future generations. At a time when Oregon is faced with record unemployment, this legislation will spur innovation and make an immediate difference in the electric, construction, and engineering sectors.

Earlier in June, Congressman Blumenauer spent seven days in China with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and a bi-partisan delegation of colleagues from the House of Representatives on the need to address global warming. He will discuss the changes that China has made to adjust its policies to be more environmentally sensitive, and the realization that China and the world cannot afford to follow the path of the first industrial revolution.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Congressman Earl Blumenauer's academic training includes undergraduate and law degrees from Lewis and Clark College in Portland.

Elected to the US House of Representatives in 1996, Mr. Blumenauer has created a unique role as Congress' chief spokesperson for Livable Communities. From 1996 - 2003, he served on both the International Relations Committee and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Now a member of the Ways and Means Committee and the Budget Committee, Congressman Blumenauer also serves as Vice Chair of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.

Tickets: $20 members, $30 non-members, $15 students

More info: http://www.nwchina.org/programs/090805cbn.html