NEW ENERGY BILL PROVISIONS ON AGENDA AT HUD/UNT GREEN BUILDING CONFERENCE

FORT WORTH - What does the new Energy Bill hold for those involved in home construction? This is just one of the topics that will be discussed at the "High-Performance Green Building � The Future of Affordable Housing" Conference to be held in Denton, Texas, on September 8-9. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, UNT, the U.S. Dept. of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, the conference will provide the latest information on green, energy efficient house building. Presentations will focus on how to design, build, equip, inspect, finance and promote affordable, energy efficient homes in our communities.

Government officials, developers, builders, non-profit organizations, real estate professionals, lenders and architects will all benefit from the information presented on how building science can increase energy efficiency and help with the energy resource challenges that cities, counties and the nation are currently facing and will continue to face in the future.

One highlight of the conference will be tours of existing high-performance buildings that showcase energy-efficient construction technologies already used in our region.

HUD Regional Director A. Cynthia Leon said, "In any single year, HUD assists more than five million renters and homeowners�approximately 5% of all housing in the nation. The Dept. spends almost $4 billion on energy, primarily through utility allowances to renters and operating grants to public housing authorities. Providing information to our housing partners on energy-efficient building is just one of the goals of HUD's Energy Action Plan, and we're proud to be partnering with UNT, the Dept. of Energy, EPA and others in this Green Building Conference. We're encouraging
our housing authorities to incorporate energy efficient building into any future remodeling or building plans."

The two-day course, which will be held at UNT's Gateway Conference Center in Denton, costs $100. For more information or to register, visit the Conference website or call HUD's Ft. Worth Field Office at (817) 978-5965.

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 about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet and espanol.hud.gov.

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