July 8, 2009       

MEDIA CONTACT: Thai Phi Stone
202-994-6424; tpstone@gwu.edu

GW AND COUNCILMEMBER MARY CHEH TO HOLD FORUM TO SPOTLIGHT IDEAS FOR MAKING DC MORE SUSTAINABLE

EVENT:  

The George Washington University and the District of Columbia Council Committee on Government Operations and the Environment, chaired by Councilmember Mary M. Cheh, will host the 2009 Policy Greenhouse. Sponsored in part by Arnold & Porter LLP and Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, the event will bring together policymakers, "green" professionals, academics and informed citizens to present ways to make Washington, D.C., more sustainable.

The event will feature:

• More than 10 presenters, who each have five minutes to pitch high-impact environmental solutions for Washington, D.C.
• A live sketch artist, who will visually capture each presenter's proposal
• An open mic discussion for audience members to briefly discuss their ideas

SPEAKERS:

• Opening remarks by Ms. Cheh; George Hawkins, director of the District Department of the Environment; and GW President Steven Knapp
• Steve Offutt, sole proprietorship environmental consulting, "Increase Urban
  Tree Canopy Through Market Mechanisms"
• Richard Layman, Citizens Planning Coalition, "Sustainable Transportation Planning and Incentives"
• Kristina Van Dexter, GW student, "A Garden at Every School"
• John Christmas, Hannon Armstrong Capital, "Tax Lien Financing for Building Energy Efficiency"
• Josh Lasky, green public service professional, "Free Bikes for Every Secondary Student"
• Mark Buscaino, Casey Trees, "Tree Suitabilty and Benefits Technology"
• Joshua Lichtman and Dana Mathews, USGBC National Chapter Region Emerging Green Builders, "Self/Sustain Hotel for Homeless"
• Kathleen M. Burke and Chuck Cushman, GW College of Professional Studies, "Sustainable Community Development Curriculum"
• Ed Merrifield, Potomac Riverkeeper, "Watershed Footprint and Disclosure"
• Lily Russell, WSP Energy & Environment, "Comprehensive Carbon Management for D.C."

WHEN:  

Friday, July 10, 2009; 8 a.m. - Noon

WHERE: 

The George Washington University
Cloyd Heck Marvin Center, Grand Ballroom
800 21st St., NW, Washington, D.C.

RSVP:  

The event is free and open to the public. To register, visit http://policygreenhouse.eventbrite.com. Media interested in attending should contact Thai Phi Stone at 202-994-6424 or tpstone@gwu.edu.

For more news about The George Washington University, visit www.gwnewscenter.org.

- GW -