State of the Regional Economy: Toward a Sustainable Economy May 9, 2007

Conference on Sustainable Economy - Saint Mary's College of California
located in Moraga (east bay) - Wednesday, May 9, 2007

Saint Mary's College hosts its annual State of the Regional Economy
conference on Wednesday, May 9th, from 9:00AM to 2:00PM. This year's
theme is "Toward a Sustainable Economy". Speakers include Virgil
Welch, Climate Campaign Coordinator for the Environmental Defense
Fund, and Winston Hickox, former head of the California EPA.

Press Release and Conference Schedule follow--

----- PRESS RELEASE:-----

Saint Mary’s College of California
State of the Economy – 2007
Toward a Sustainable Environment
May 9, 2007
9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Soda Center

The annual “State of the Economy” conference at Saint
Mary’s College in Moraga, California is scheduled for May 9,
2007. The theme for this year’s conference is “Toward a
Sustainable Environment”, and the conference will focus on
environmental policy and finance in California, as well as on the ways
investors are pursuing “green investing” for the
long-term economic and environmental health of our region.

The morning will be anchored by a presentation by Dr. Howard Roth,
Chief Economist for the California State Department of Finance,
followed by an overview of current environmental policy at the state
level from Virgil Welch, Climate Campaign Coordinator for
Environmental Defense. Following that policy overview, we will focus
on environmental investing, regulation and markets, reflecting work
currently being done by the College’s Elfenworks Center for the
Study of Fiduciary Capitalism. Winston Hickox, environmental advisor
to CalPERS and former head of Cal EPA will begin this session. Brent
Cook, CEO of Raser Technologies, Inc. will present the business
perspective on the opportunities created by all the activity in this
area.

The conference will conclude with a luncheon panel and “Call to
Action”: what can we do at the local and regional level to
ensure environmental sustainability? The panel includes
representatives from the local business community, environmental
groups, as well as Steve Woolpert, Dean of the School of Liberal Arts
as Saint Mary’s, reviewing the College’s active program
on sustainability.

We look forward to a wealth of information and lively discussions!

Conference registration: $35, which includes morning snacks and lunch.

For questions about the conference, please contact:
Dr. Kris Chase
Director, Center for the Regional Economy
925-631-4129
[email protected]

To register for the conference, please contact:
Cherie Grant
School of Economics and Business Administration
Saint Mary’s College of California
925-631-4074
[email protected]

----- CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:-----

Saint Mary’s College of California
State of the Economy – 2007
Toward a Sustainable Environment

Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Soda Center

8:30-9:00 AM
Registration: coffee, juices and pastries available

Session I: “Overview of California Finance and Policy”:
facilitated by Kristine Chase, Director, Center for the Regional
Economy, Saint Mary’s College

9:00-9:30 AM
Howard Roth, Chief Economist, CA Dept. of Finance
“Economic and Financial Trends for the State”

9:30-10:00 AM
Virgil Welch, Climate Campaign Coordinator, Environmental Defense,
“Current California Environmental Policy”

10:00-10:30 AM
Commentary and Q&A:
Howard Roth, Virgil Welch, Kristine Chase

10:30-10:45 AM
Break; coffee, sodas and pastries available

Session II: “Environmental Investing, Markets and
Regulation”: facilitated by James Hawley, co-Director,
Elfenworks Center for the Study of Fiduciary Capitalism, Saint Mary's
College

10:45-11:15 AM
Winston Hickox, environmental advisor to CalPERS and former head of
Cal EPA

11:15-11:45 AM
Brent Cook, CEO, Raser Techonologies, Inc.

11:45 AM-12:15 PM
Commentary and Q&A: Winston Hickox, Brent Cook, James Hawley

Session III: “Call to Action: What Should We Do in Contra
Costa?”: facilitated by Roy Allen, Dean, School of Economics
and Business Administration, Saint Mary's College

12:30-2:00 PMLunch
Panelists:
Brooke Lee, ICLEI
Steve Woolpert, Dean, School of Liberal Arts, SMC
Jenny Ohrbeck, Contra Costa Solid Waste Authority
Mary Ortendahl, East Bay EDA

Official Website: http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/news_events/events/details.php?id=108