7th Annual Southern Energy and Environment Expo Expects Record Crowds
By Byron Belzak

When Ned Doyle, founder of the Southern Energy and Environment Expo, speaks about how to achieve a greener world and use alternative energy systems, people listen.

“The Southern Energy and Environment Expo is a public event that is designed to bring together environmental issues and sustainable energy,” said Ned Doyle.

And more people each year are listening to Doyle and others who are part of this ever-growing energy and environment fair, nicknamed SEE EXPO.

It will be held August 24 through August 27, 2007, at the WNC Ag Center, which is located near the Asheville Regional Airport on Hwy. 280. The Ag Center is located 10 miles south of Asheville at Exit 40 off I-26.

For three consecutive days this year, August 24, 25 and 26, SEE EXPO, now in its seventh year, will likely experience record crowds.

“Each year is bigger than the last,” Ned Doyle told The Greener Home in an exclusive interview in late July. Last year over 8,000 people attended this annual event. The increased interest is easy to understand, given rising costs of energy and the negative consequences of pollution and climate change.

MORE PEOPLE GET IT NOW

Ned Doyle was ahead of his time when he first came up with this informational event that dealt with both energy and the environment. Most people didn’t understand the connection.

“Back in 1999 when we first started working on this project, when I proposed that energy policy was directly related to environmental issues, I got a lot of sideways glances from people who didn’t believe me.”

Now, most people understand the connection.

“The success of the Southern Energy and Environment Expo over the last seven years has been in large part due to this growing awareness that all these different aspects are interrelated,” said Ned Doyle. “We have to look at all issues in a holistic sense.”

During the show, there are many workshops and presentations that cover a wide range of topics. Each is approximately a 45-minute introduction.

For example, there is a popular presentation about solar hot water heating. “It’s an extraordinary cost-effective environmental friendly way to reduce electrical demand on the utility grid,” said Doyle. Also covered are independent power systems, such as photovoltaics and small-scale wind power.

“There are many programs on activism,” said Doyle, such as getting involved with environmental issues, getting involved with the political process, getting your community or region organized to work towards sustainability.

“There are a whole range of programs offered at SEE EXPO, such as green building techniques, energy efficiency for the home, natural building, and other alternative building techniques. It’s all geared around providing the visitor and attendee with a real comprehensive introduction to each of these topics.”

THE TIME IS NOW

“It’s time to go with sustainable energy and with energy efficiency,” said SEE EXPO founder Ned Doyle. He pointed out that North Carolina spends close to $10 billion every year – and most of that money goes out of state for coal, oil, gas and nuclear services.

“So turning this into an economic flow that stays in North Carolina, that stays in the region – and stays in any area of the country, we’re not unique – makes it possible for a huge economic boom occur,” said Doyle.

The only downside in going with clean energy and distributed generation is that the few corporations and their shareholders who are making a lot of money from coal, oil, gas won’t be making as much if we switch.

“With sustainable energy, everyone wins,” said Doyle. “Society wins. The environment wins. Our children win. The future wins.”

Unfortunately, pollution and global warming remains a serious problem, one that is literally challenging our planet and human survival.

MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

“The good news is that on a regional level and on a community level, there is a huge up-swell and grassroots movement that is happening,” said SEE EXPO organizer Ned Doyle. “People realize that corporations and the federal government are going in the wrong direction.”

Doyle considers Western North Carolina’s new U.S. Representative Heath Shuler to be a friend of the environment.

“Congressman Heath Shuler has turned into a very effective representative for environmental and energy issues. He has demonstrated an awareness, understanding and support for clean energy systems and environmental impact. He understands sustainable energy sources and technologies are huge economic booms, especially to the Western North Carolina region, which is in his district.

“Congressman Shuler has been moving this nation in the correct direction.” Shuler has a booth at SEE EXPO.
 
For more details about the Southern Energy and Environment Expo for August 24 – 26, 2007, visit www.seeexpo.com.

Copyright 2007 MediaBear

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