We also met some really interesting people like Dan Reicher, the Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Energy. He is in charge of programs that promote technology. He presents these programs to congress.

We asked him how he felt working in Washington to improve our environment. He said "It's fun", he enjoys conferences like this one because he gets to meet so many poeple.

He was at the conference for a more specific reason though, he was there to help announce a new program called,"Wind Powering America." The project's goal is to have about 5% of energy prouced by wind power by 2020. He is engaged in developing a hybrid car for the market. Hybrid vehicles are cars that use environmentally safe fuels in stead of ones that put harmful emmissions into our environment. He also is working on a project called "Village Power". This project will put alternative electricity in to homes that otherwise would not have electricity at all. That is not only in the
US, it is all over the country. Our interiew with Dan Reicher was very informative, and he was very easy to interview.

We also had many opportunities for photos. There were so many people there. Many of which held a governmental office. James Jeffords attended the conference, he is Vermont's own Senator. He was rushing off to catch a plane but we met with him for a second, and Allen Bear was prepared with his digital camera.

We also met Bill Richardson. He is the U.S. Secretary of Energy. He was also off to catch a plane, but we got a quick picture with him.

We visited a great display hall. When we were there we met a man who started his company because of his son's report on solar energy for school! The display hall was great, so many people sharing there ideas on wind power!! The entire day was very fun and informational. Now not only do I know the
benefits of solar energy, I know about wind power too.

by Mia Casey