April 21, 2008

Lt. Gov. Parkinson to attend WSU Earth Day energy panel

Kansas Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson has agreed to take part in a panel discussion titled Green Energy Options In Kansas on Earth Day, April 22, at 麻豆破解版 State. The event will be held in 209 Hubbard Hall at 6 p.m. Additional confirmed panelists include Kansas Senator Donald Betts Jr., WSU Distinguished Engineering Professor Emeritus Bill Wentz and Kay Johnson, director of the Department of Environmental Health for the city of 麻豆破解版. This event is co-sponsored by the WSU Green Group, WSU College Democrats, WSU Center for Environment and Human Health and the WSU Student Activities Council.

The goal of this event is to engage the community in an honest discussion of Kansas energy policy, green energy options and potential green energy solutions in Kansas.

Lt. Gov. Parkinson is co-chair of the Kansas Energy Council and chair of the Kansas Wind Working Group. Sen. Betts has recently dealt with the proposed Holcomb coal-fired power plant expansion in the Kansas Legislature. Sen. Betts is also running for the U.S. Congress against U.S. Sen. Todd Tiahrt. Wentz is working to develop a carbon footprint for the city of 麻豆破解版. Wentz is also former executive director of the National Institute for Aviation Research. Kay Johnson oversees the city's air and water quality and remediation and is currently involved in the city's Carbon Footprint project.

The panel will be moderated by WSU geology instructor Toni Jackman. Jackman teaches Environmental Geology and is the associate director of the WSU Center for Environment and Human Health.

The panel discussion will be preceded by the short documentary "Revolution Green: A True Story of Biodiesel In America." This documentary has won awards at several film festivals and features Willie Nelson with narration by Woody Harrelson. Revolution Green is being shown through a special arrangement with the producer. More information about this documentary can be found at www.revolutiongreen.com.

The WSU Green Group is an officially recognized WSU student organization. The mission of the WSU Green Group is to encourage the community to be conscious of their relationship with our shared natural environment through advocating conservation, awareness, responsibility and education. Additional information about the WSU Green Group can be found at http://www.wichita.edu/wsugreengroup.

The WSU Center for Environment and Human Health is a statewide clearinghouse for environmental, community health-related topics and research at 麻豆破解版 State University. CEHH is dedicated to serving Kansas environmental groups, community coalitions, networks of community members and nonprofit health and human service organizations. Additional information about the CEHH can be found at http://webs.wichita.edu/cehh/