Thanks to all those who attended the Making Energy Planning Work Professional Development Institute Session (PDI). As promised, the session powerpoints are linked to in the program description below and are all available from this download folder. Thanks again for coming and we thank you for your feedback.
Speaker Presentations (http://bit.ly/MakingEnergyPlanningWork):
Heather Cowley
Regional Pollution Prevention and Energy Assistance Manager, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Southeast Regional Office
Liz Compitello
Research Analyst, Energy and Climate Change Initiatives, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission
Justin Dula, AICP
Manager, County and Regional Planning, Delaware County Planning Department
Jon Lesher
Environmental Planner, Montgomery County Planning Commission
Adam Agalloco, LEED® AP
Mayor’s Office of Sustainability, City of Philadelphia
Dianne Herrin, LEED® AP
Director, Program Management, Practical Energy Solutions & Founder/Advisory Member, West Chester BLUER Committee
Program Description:
Energy conservation planning is increasingly an activity in which planners are asked to take a leadership role – often without formal training in energy sciences or technology – due to our experience in bringing together different interests and expressing complex ideas to the public. We are probably all familiar with some of the outstanding plans and programs for energy conservation being undertaken in the Philadelphia region, but have you ever wondered how these innovative programs got their start? Who was involved, what challenges and barriers they faced along the way and – most importantly – how they overcame those challenges and barriers? The session on March 29th 2012 gave a behind-the-scenes look at some of the Philadelphia region’s most cutting-edge energy planning initiatives. This was an opportunity to find out more about how these plans were created and the barriers and opportunities, challenges and strengths of energy planning at various levels. Participants learned from those who are doing energy planning in the region how to make and implement a successful plan at their organization while avoiding missteps along the way.
Speakers discussed the background and broadest level goals of their plans for context, but the main focus of the session was on the process of energy planning, included examples of successful approaches as well as what challenges are faced. The panel included speakers from various levels of government from municipalities to the regional planning organization and the State. Speakers also discussed the partnerships that were created with other organizations, citizen groups, and private consulting firms and the ideal roles – based on their experience – for each of these players. Following the individual presentations the session concluded with a roundtable discussion where participants were able to ask questions related to their own planning efforts and got specific advice or recommendations from the panel.
