Secretary Abraham stated that current stocks of natural gas in underground storage are unusually low due to a combination of cold weather in parts of the country and declines in both domestic production and net imports. At the same time, he said, demand is projected to grow 50 percent over the next 25 years.

“While we work to increase our production and storage capacity for natural gas, we must also focus on using our natural gas resources wisely,” Secretary Abraham said. “Individuals, business and government can play an important role in reducing energy use.”

The Atlanta meeting was the first of several regional forums to be held across the country as part of the Secretary’s Smart Energy campaign.

Two Southface staff take leadership roles for Georgia-based environmental groups

The Institute for Georgia Environmental Leadership (IGEL) announced Dennis Creech of Southface as one of the 31 state leaders selected from agriculture, business, education, environmental organizations, government and civic groups to gain broader awareness of environmental issues and a better understanding of each other’s views. The program is facilitated by faculty at the Fanning Institute for Leadership and the Institute of Government at the University of Georgia. “IGEL will not attempt to create a consensus of opinions or promote a specific issue; rather, it will help participants be prepared to take action and make a difference in the lives of other Georgians,” said Rob Williams, associate director, Fanning Institute for Leadership. IGEL participants will attend six sessions throughout the state beginning in October and concluding in April 2004.

Marci Reed, Southface director of development and communications, has been named to the Envirosense Consortium Board of Directors. Envirosense is a nonprofit membership association that promotes a proactive approach to indoor environmental quality issues by offering education and resources to architects, interior designers and engineers. More info at www.envirosense.org.

Tracking solar power generated at Southface

Since reliable monitoring began last summer with our Sunny Boy system, the meter on the solar array at the Soutfhace Energy and Environmental Resource Center has ticked over two megawatt hours! Or, two thousand KWh, the standard measurement of electric power on a residential scale. Cosmically speaking, that is not much, but to compare, that power, if we had it all at once, would run Southface for about two weeks, or a small home all year.

Giving Green at Work

More than 300,000 employees throughout Georgia are “giving green at work” through their company’s charitable payroll deduction campaign. Are you one of them? As a choice alongside United Way, Earth Share of Georgia is a natural complement to strong community investment. That’s because Earth Share and its 60 supported member groups, including Southface, share a common vision of a future filled with clear skies and clean waterways.

Last year Georgia employees contributed more than $370,000 to Earth Share’s member groups. This fall, with the addition of five workplace-giving partners, including Interface, TVS Architects, Jackson Spalding public relations firm, Jordan, Jones & Goulding and CH2M Hill, Earth Share has increased its goal to $440,000. You can help achieve this goal by asking your company to include charities dedicated to the environment by adding EarthShare to your employee charitable campaign. For more information on how to enlist your business call Polly Sattler, Director of Corporate Partnerships at Earth Share of Georgia, 404/873-3173 or polly@earthsharega.org.

Southface Welcomes New Fellows

Lisa Denham has joined Southface as an EarthCraft House Communities co-op student. She has a Master’s Degree in Education from Valdosta State College and has taught and consulted on development in various cities in Georgia. She is currently pursuing her graduate degree from Georgia Institute of Technology’s City and Regional Planning Program. Lisa’s position is being funded through a partnership of the Urban Land Institute, Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association, Southface and the Atlanta Regional Commission.

Brett Dillon is a fourth generation carpenter/builder. While working as the Habitat for Humanity Construction Director for the Chattanooga affiliate, he steered the group to building energy efficient affordable housing which has since been recognized by Habitat International as one of 16 affiliates worldwide spearheading the energy efficiency initiative.

Mike Merritt graduated from the University of Arkansas School of Architecture in 1996. Mike has joined Southface as a Green Building Fellow and will assist in implementing the Southface Green Building Services.

Marie Reedy is a 2003 graduate of the University of Florida and has recently interned with the Calvino Architecture Studio in Tampa. Marie will be working with the Greenprints, Sustainable Atlanta Roundtable and USGBC efforts.

Parker Snyder is a graduate from Purdue University with a degree in Civil Engineering with an emphasis in Construction Management. He will be an Earthcraft House inspector in multi-family housing.

Staff Goodbyes

Aziza Cooper, Events and Outreach Coordinator will be leaving in November to launch a new family business venture. We thank her for her years of dedication to our organization and wish her success.

Susan Zinga, Director of Energy Policy, will be relocating her family to New Jersey. We will miss Susan’s cheerful presence around Southface, but we are happy that she will continue to work with us on energy policy research and white papers.

Southface Welcomes New Interns

Manuel Cerrato was born and raised in El Salvador. He is particularly interested in solar and wind energy generation and fuel cells. Manuel hopes to work in those fields after completing a renewable energy conservation and management graduate program in Europe.

Andrea Pusey graduated from the George Washington University in D.C. with a business degree in marketing and an environmental studies concentration. With specific interest in Smart Growth and Sustainable Communities, Andrea is excited to help with marketing the many programs at Southface.

Paty Ricle is from Quito, Ecuador, where she obtained a degree in Integral Design in 2001. After six months on the Southface team, Paty will go back to Ecuador to participate in the Fulbright Scholarship Program.

Dennis Sisk has a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and MBA from Mississippi State University. While earning his MBA, he conducted a graduate-level feasibility study on grid-tied photovoltaic sustainable energy systems. Dennis is interested in direct applications of sustainable energy, green building and construction and alternative energy research.

Kristina Weyer graduated from Williams College in Massachusetts, having studied physics and environmental studies. She will be working with the EarthCraft House program.

Atlanta City Council President, Cathy Woolard, expands on the cost savings that the City of Atlanta has gained through its energy saving strategies. The Atlanta Green Fair on July 29 provided the opportunity to boast about the $450,00 saved in 2003 by the city in its recent push for conservation. See story on City of Atlanta

Dianne Harnell Cohen of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs for the City of Atlanta visits with Dennis Creech at a recent meeting a Southface.

The Southface Homebuilding School attendees from the August homebuilding school. The three-day short course is a condensed version of the nine-day course.

Gray Kelly chats with a visitor at the "Waste, Water and Wattage" exhibit at the Atlanta Fall Home Show, held at the Cobb Galleria Center in September.

Dr. Stan Pritchett—Associate Superintendent, Business Affairs and Plant Services, DeKalb County Schools and Dr. Jennie Springer—Co-Chair, Arabia Mountain School Project, DeKalb County Schools, spoke at the August Sustainable Atlanta Roundtable about Energy Smart Schools.

The National Solar Tour on October 4 included a Solar Fair and concert at Southface, featuring a solar-powered group sponsored by Solarconcert.com.