The Michigan Daily-Sunday, October 21, 1979-Page 5
Conference offers solar future
Second h ance's
Hospitality
and
Studen NIight
for info call: 994-5350
By MARK WILSON
In an effort to get solar energy off the
drawing board and into practical use,
the Michigan Solar Energy Association
sponsored its second Solar Conference
and Product Exhibition in Ypsilanti this
weekend.
According to Reed Maas, conference
coordinator, the three-day program
was an attempt to inform Michigan
residents of the development and prac-
ticality of solar and alternative energy
sources. The conference featured
seminars, lectures, films and solar-
related demonstrations..
CONFERENCE topics ranged from
' agricultural overviews to wood energy
utilization and also included
discussions on wood stoves, gasohol and
wind energy systems. Speaking at the
conference were U.S. Senator Carl
Levin, Congressman Carl Pursell, State
Representative Perry Bullard,
Washington Solar Lobby Director
Richard Munson, Keith Haggard of the
Solar Energy Research Institute and
Doug LaFollett from the Mid-American
- Solar Energy Complex.
Both LaFollett and Haggard spoke
last night of the danger of current
energy policies and the "bright" future
of solar energy. "We're racing down a
one-way dead-end street in energy con-
sumption," said LaFollett, "There is a
'terrible lack of energy leadership in
this country, along with public apathy
and bad energy habits."
'According to LaFollett, the im-
mediate energy future should sta t with
conservation and include domestic
solar hot water, passive solar systems,
bio-mass, and wind usage.
HAGGARD AGREED, "It is very
important to look at conservation as a
new energy source and not a
deprivation." But, added LaFollett, one
serious problem stands in the way.
"The dollar funding is pathetic - let
the federal government put its money
where its mouth is," he said.
Speaking before the conference
Friday night, Levin claimed the solar
industry is coming under the control of
big o' companies because of the Depar-
tment of Energy's "lack of respon-
siveness.
"The development of the solar in-
dustry is gradually shifting away from
' T mall business. They are losing out
Energy alternatives urged
because of bureaucratic slowness. The
Department of Energy is not ad-
ministering its programs in a way to
assist the country," he said.
LEVIN SAID he was displeased with
a bill that commits Congress to $20
billion for synthetic fuels and only $1
billion for development of solar and
conservation programs.
"It (the bill) set a tone that is not very
helpful to those of us that see the future
in solar and conservation. But we got an
amendment that indicates that this
proportion is not to be a precedent on
bills coming down the pike," 'said
Levin.
Pursell described the current solar
energy problem as political.
"Everything is split up into regional in-
terests. The problem is that energy for-
ces are decentralized. There is no
united energy direction," he said. He
also spoke of his efforts to set up an
"energy trust fund," to help finance
alternative energy sources.
Munson also complained about the
lack of federal funding for solar energy.
He said a President's Commission on
Solar energy reported that 33 per cent
of the nation's energy could come from
solar power by the turn of the century,
but only if more funding is ap-
propriated. "Of the $100 billion from the
windfall profits tax, $88 billion is going
to synthetic fuels and only $3 billion to
solar," Munson said.
Bullard talked about Michigan tax.
credits that encourage the installation
of solar and wind energy devices in the
home. He is also pushing a bill that
would outlaw electrical or natural gas
pool heaters. "You would be surprised
how much energy is consumed that
way. It is time we dealt with choices
like this. There are viable solar heaters
available," Bullard said.
PRISMATIC
and the
BLUE FRONT
PERSUADERS
Sunday, Oct.21
8:30 p.m.,
$3.00 at the Ann Arbor
Armory (5th & Ann)
Benefit Dance for the
Wildf lour Community
Bokery Co-op
Le ( ie
DEXTER CIDER MILL
" Sweet Cider everyday
* Fresh Doughnuts on weekends
8 a.m.-6 p.m.-7 days a week
3685 Central St.; 8 miles west of A2
- . .. oil companies taking control
GW I4VFsITY cJUSICAL OCIETY presen t
CHINESE UCROBUlTS
Saturday, Nov 3 8:30 P.m.
11111 fludutforium
Invites You To
Join Him For:
PIZZA
by the Slice
Price Monday, Oct. 22,
6 P.M.-12 A.M.
iiJipa4,to 1140 S. University
668-84112
Mon.-Sat 11AM .-2 A.M. Sun. 3P.M.-12 A.M.
K.___
This season's presentation will feature
several new acts never seen here before, new
production numbers and costumes, as well as
the return of many of the Acrobats' most
electrifying favorites.
Ticket prices: $8.00, $7.00, $6.60 and 4.00
Ticket sales also '/2 hour before performance
time at Hill Auditorium Box Office
(Tickets at) Burton Tower, Ann Arbor, Mich. 48104
Weekdays 9-4:30, Sat. 9-12. Phone (313) 665-3717
1n1 itS 1OiSt c aSoDn