The forum, brought to you by Western New York Sustainable Energy Association will explore the role of government in promoting the use of renewable technologies as we make the transition from fossil fuels to a renewable energy based economy.

Speakers include the following:

Robert E. Knoer, Esq. comes to us with broad range of expertise in the field of environmental law. Mr. Knoer taught "Law and the Environment" at the State University of Buffalo from 1992 to 2007. He will cover "Opportunities for Local Governments to Use Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency: Addressing the Cost of Government".

Jessica Miller is an urban planning graduate student at the State University of Buffalo. She will talk about her experience developing ordinance guidelines for solar and wind installations for the city of Erie, PA.

Bill Nowak, Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of Policy Research for New York State Senator Antoine M. Thompson, will brief us on Senator Thompson's "Ten-Point Green Jobs Strategy.  In the process he will bring us up to date on energy legislation passed in 2009, as well as current energy legislation before the Senate.