Media Advisory: Regional conference to focus on water, energy

November 14th, 2008

* WHAT :* The Water-Energy Nexus: A Necessary Synergy for the 21st Century

  • WHO :* The West Virginia Water Research Institute of the West Virginia University National Research Center for Coal and Energy is spearheading the joint Mid-Atlantic Regional Water Resources Research Institutesregional water conference. Co-sponsors include the Mid-Atlantic Regional Water Resources Research Institutes of Virginia, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and New York.
  • WHEN :* Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 18-19
  • WHERE :* National Conservation Training Center, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Shepherdstown

Speakers/topics of particular note (full agenda at www.wvwri.nrcce.wvu.edu ):

  • Water-Energy Issues in the Mid-Atlantic Region: A State-by-State Discussion,a panel session moderated by Frank Borsuk, aquatic/fisheries biologist, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region III ; Nov. 18 at 8 a.m.
  • The Impacts on Water Resources from Drilling Operations in the Marcellus Shale,a presentation by James Coleman, team chief scientist, U.S. Geological Survey Eastern Energy Team; Nov. 18 at 1 p.m.
  • Coal Mining Impacts on Water,a panel session moderated by Todd Petty, associate professor of forestry, WVU Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences; Nov. 18 at 3 p.m.
  • Growing Switchgrass for Biofuels on Mine Land,a presentation by Jeff Skousen, professor of plant and soil sciences, WVU Davis College, and Paul Ziemkiewicz, WVWRI director; Nov. 19 at 8:30 a.m.
  • LEAFhouseA Smart, Adaptable, Resource-Efficient Home,a presentation by Kaye Brubaker, associate professor, civil and environmental engineering, University of Maryland; Nov. 19 at 10:30 a.m.
  • Green Building Design: A Case Study Application to Car Dealerships and Implications for Water and Energy Conservation,a presentation by Caitlin Grady, student research fellow, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Nov. 19 at 1 p.m.

* WHY :* With the increasing demand for both water and energy, innovative approaches are needed to manage these two resources. Energy requires water in the production process; an increase in the demand for energy translates into an increase in the demand for water. Topics will address an array of issues related to traditional energy sources, including thermoelectric and hydroelectric power production, oil and gas production, coal-to-liquids conversion and alternative energy such as biofuels, wind and solar. Home- to industry-scale water and energy efficiency technologies and case studies will be presented.