Sustainable building, energy use hot topics

With winter coming, people are seeking ways to cut their energy costs, both at home and when on the road.

Green and sustainable trends in architecture and home design will be the topic at this year's Douglas County Building Industry Association dinner 6 p.m. Wednesday in Gardnerville.

Kevin Jeffers, president of Edge Development in Reno and past president of the Nevada chapter of the Ameri¬can Institute of Architects, is the speaker at the dinner, held at JT Basque Bar & Dining Room. Jeffers has a quarter¬century of experience in the building industry as an archi¬tect and developer.

Jeffers speech comes not long after Carson Valley's sec¬ond Sustainable Living & Renewable Energy Green Liv¬ing Roundup, which was Sept. 13 and 14 in Lampe Park.

Organizer Vicki Bates said vendors told her they had twice the number of people attend this year.

"There's a great desire for people to find ways to cut their energy costs," she said. "People are looking for ways to conserve better and the options available for renew¬able sources of energy."

Bates said most people were looking at renewable energy.

"The vast majority of peo¬ple are into renewable ener¬gy," she said. "That's the sexy stuff. I wish more people had come to the talks on conserva¬tion. When you're talking about saving energy, the best dollar spent is the dollar you don't have to spend."

She said many people are not looking forward to winter when energy prices typically increase.

"We are getting outreach to people who are struggling with energy costs," she said. "It's going to be an ugly, ugly winter."

Bates said they collected surveys from 70 people, 22 of whom said they would be willing to volunteer.

The building industry din¬ner is $26 per person for those with reservations or $30 at the door.

For information and reser¬vations, 783-1782 and 297¬5944, or e-mail Carole Thompson at caroledcbia@aol.com.

The Douglas County Build¬ing Industry Association is coordinating their first Dou¬glas County Green Build Expo and Home Tour.

This event is scheduled to take place in May of 2009. They are looking for anyone interested in showcasing their green home or commercial building.