Stimulus Bill May Change Life As We Know It for Energy, Education: How To Plan, Protect, Participate

March 2, 2009 - PRLog -- The Stimulus Bill could change life forever for people in energy, education, infrastructure, and environmental fields.  How the changes will occur, along with funding opportunities, will be discussed the AAPG's inaugural hour-long interactive web symposium, "What the Stimulus Bill Contains for Energy, Environment, Education, Infrastructure Funding" to be held March 19, 2009. The core focus of the symposium will be funding provisions, along with strategic planning.  

Slated to begin at 2 pm CDT, and to contain an hour of presentations and discussions with a panel of experts, the web symposium will allow audience members to check their knowledge, ask questions, and get information about the steps to take to participate in the government programs. The cost for the event is $95 for non-members, $50 for members of AAPG. Registration is available at http://www.aapg.org/education/online/details.cfm?ID=47

For questions, please e-mail educate@aapg.org

The core focus of the symposium will be funding provisions.  The web symposium will be interactive.  Individuals can log into the web-based event from any computer with a high-speed internet connection, and they can interact with the presenters as they present specific information about the bill’s provisions in the areas of energy, environment, infrastructure, and education.

Energy-related provisions will be covered, and presenters will delineate and discuss the items of the bill, which will include oil and gas, renewable energy, and energy efficiency.  Presenters will discuss specific provisions, include the more than $40 billion that will be available in the following areas: energy efficiency using green technology, modernized electric grid, energy efficiency and renewable energy research, batteries systems, alternative fuel vehicles, fossil energy grants, and more.  They will also discuss the science and energy education provisions, as well as broadband / infrastructure.

Environment-related discussions will cover the more than $15 billion for Environmental Clean-Up, and approximately $30 billion of programs that relate to infrastructure and energy.

Infrastructure-related discussions will encompass the more than $100 billion to be available in the following areas:  broadband access and usage in unserved and underserved areas; Homeland Security services expansion; Corp of Engineers projects;  VA hospital and medical facility construction; repair and restoration of public facilities on tribal lands; modernization of defense and health facilities; low-income housing; block grants; clean reliable drinking water facilities for areas affected by drought; transportation (highway, public transportation, air transportation, rail transportation); and public housing (energy efficiency, updates, repairs, green investment in HUD housing and repurposed buildings).

Education-related discussions will cover the more than $100 billion in education, science education, and educational infrastructure projects.

Presenters include Theresa Coffman, who teaches courses on infrastructure and environmental issues at the University of Oklahoma; David Curtiss, government affairs, and Director of AAPG's Washington, DC office; and Dr. Susan Nash, education, technology, and economic development, and Director of Education and Professional Development for the AAPG.

Coffman, who teaches the popular Energy and the Environment at the University of Oklahoma, is accustomed to looking at long-term ramifications of policies, legislation, taxation, and new legislation. “The Stimulus Bill is the biggest change agent we’ve seen in a long time,” Coffman said.

Coffman goes on to point out that human behavior and economic development tend to follow patterns laid down by legal and physical constructs, and not the other way around.  After the laws and infrastructure are being put into place, behaviors begin to modify to conform to the new conditions.  “What results is lasting change, both in things we have around us and in the way we behave, and even perceive our world.”

The cost for the event is $95 for non-members, $50 for members of AAPG. Registration is available at http://www.aapg.org/education/online/details.cfm?ID=47

For questions, please e-mail educate@aapg.org

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The AAPG (http://www.aapg.org) offers education and professional development over a wide array of energy, environment topics. http://www.aapg.org/education/online/details.cfm?ID=47; for blog and updates: http://blog.aapg.org/learn/