11.16.2006 - 02:10pm ET

(CSRwire) (SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF.) November 16, 2006: The Center for Resource Solutions (CRS), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that the preeminent renewable energy marketing conference in the U.S. will take place in San Francisco from December 3rd through 6th. In its 11th year, the National Renewable Energy Marketing conference will focus on policies affecting carbon and renewable energy markets and will explore strategies to increase the development of new renewable resources and consumer awareness of renewable energy options. For more information about the conference, visit www.RenewableEnergyMarketing.net.

The conference hosts participants such as leading renewable energy and green power industry stakeholders, climate change policymakers, government agencies, and businesses purchasing green power. These diverse groups will engage in discussions of the renewable energy or "green power" market and its positive impact on global warming or "climate change".

Renewable energy purchases by large businesses, institutions, and governmental entities are at record highs and growing each year. In fact, the renewable energy products sold in the voluntary market are some of the most successful environmental goods in history. Many American companies and household brand names already use renewable energy in some part of their operations. This growth is met with successful renewable energy programs offered by utility companies across the country and state policies that mandate new renewable energy development.

The renewable energy market is on the rise--more residential customers purchase green power than ever before, and more Fortune 500 companies, universities and government agencies are committing to 100 percent renewable energy for their facilities.

Renewable energy, or "green power," is electricity generated from environmentally preferable renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, biogas and low-impact hydro and biomass resources. These renewable energy sources are cleaner than conventionally generated electricity sources which rely on combustion of fossil fuel and create emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas linked to global warming.

Some of the events taking place as part of the conference include a wind farm and solar winery tour; a boat cruise; a renewable energy themed treasure hunt, and a benefit concert to bring awareness to renewable energy options in San Francisco sponsored by CRS and 3 Phases Energy. For more information on these events, please contact Amber Sharick at CRS, amber@resource solutions.org. Additionally, the conference hosted a national student renewable energy art contest with hundreds of submissions from students in grades K-8 across the country. The art contest, sponsored by Community Energy, Inc., was a way to bring renewable energy into the classrooms in conjunction with the work in the development of the market for renewable energy in as many states as possible.

Leading conference sponsors and organizers include the non-profit Center for Resource Solutions (CRS), the Department of Energy, and the US Environmental Protection Agency, with SmartPower as the Platinum Sponsor. The Host Sponsor is 3Phases Energy. The Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Silicon Valley Power and Sterling Planet, Inc., also play key sponsor roles in the conference, along with PPM Energy, Pacific Gas & Electric and Community Energy, Inc.

About the Center for Resource Solutions

The Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) is a national nonprofit organization that works to make it easier for people and organizations to use renewable energy as a tool for mitigating climate change. CRS designs and operates national and international programs that support the increased supply and use of renewable energy resources such as wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, low-impact hydroelectric power, and other clean energy sources. To learn more about CRS, visit http://www.resource-solutions.org.

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