Speakers
Dave Konkle
Energy Manager
Ann Arbor, MI
Biography:
Dave Konkle graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in Atmospheric Sciences in 1974, during the first US oil crisis. He began his energy career at Sunstructures, where he designed and installed solar water heaters, built solar houses, and performed energy studies. He has been the Energy Coordinator for the City of Ann Arbor since 1988. His duties include implementing energy efficiency and renewable energy programs related to the Ann Arbor Energy Plan, purchasing energy, recommending energy policy and managing grants. He is also the local liaison for the Cities for Climate Protection Program. He has saved the city over $8 million in energy costs and has been awarded over $2 million in grant funds. He has made a lifelong commitment to educating people on energy issues. Dave has been an invited speaker at national meetings of the DOE, the EPA, the American Planning Association and numerous others. On Earth Day in 2003 Dave was awarded the EPA’s “Climate Protection Award” for individual achievement in Washington DC by EPA Administrator Christy Todd-Whitman.
Ann Arbor has set a goal of moving all municipal operations to 30% renewable energy by 2010 and was recently named one of the US Department Of Energy’s Solar Cities.