More than 250 persons from the State of Alabama and surrounding areas were present when the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development presented the first of five Regional Energy Conferences at the Radison Hotel in Birmingham, Alabama on April 7, 2005. The conference introduced HUD's Energy Action Plan; presented best energy conservation practices from around the country; and provided opportunities to access new resources. Conference participants were among the first to hear how this initiative will be built into future funding considerations. The conference featured speakers from HUD and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) headquarters, the design and consulting firm of Steven Winter and Associates, Inc. and Alabama energy efficiency experts.

Utility costs represent over $4 billion a year in expenditures for HUD's Public Housing and Assisted Housing programs. Reducing these costs may well increase the number of residents able to receive assistance, at a time where rising overall costs are straining housing resources for affordable housing programs. Participants in this conference received hands on training from some of the leading experts in this field on both a local and national level.

John W. Meyers, HUD's Acting Regional Director for the Southeast Carribbean Region, said of the conference, "I am proud of the role the Birmingham Field Office has played in helping to put on the first of these Regional Energy Conferences, a major initiative of the Department."

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities, creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development as well as enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information on HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov.