National expert on energy to speak at Western April 19 in PAC Concert Hall

Western Washington University’s Institute for Energy Studies will host Tom Eckman, director of the Power Division of the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, for a lecture from 7 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 19, in the PAC Concert Hall (note change of venue from Academic West).

"The Future of Northwest Leadership in Electric Energy" lecture is part of the Institute for Energy Studies’ first Energy Symposium, which will be held from noon to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 19, in Wilson Library.

Eckman is a nationally recognized expert in electricity resource planning and energy efficiency with more than 35 years of experience. He was involved with the development of the Northwest Power and Conservation Council’s power planning process, and now represent’s the council in federal efficiency standards proceedings and negotiations. The Northwest Power and Conservation Council’s plans have become the profession’s gold standard for the analysis and planning of energy efficiency as a resource, obviating multiple new fossil fuel power plants.

Eckman also serves as chair of the council’s regional technical forum, a position he has held since 1999. This year, the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance recognized Eckman with its first Lifetime Achievement in Energy Efficiency award, naming the award in his honor. He is also the recipient of awards from the Bonneville Power Administraton, the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, and the Northwest Energy Coalition.

The lecture is free and open to the public; tickets are not required. Registration and a fee of $10 to $35 is required for those interested in attending the full energy symposium.

The lecture is made possible by the contributions of Puget Sound Energy, the presenting sponsor for the 2016 Energy Symposium, and support from Phillips 66 Ferndale Refinery.

To find out more information about the lecture or to register for the full symposium, please visit http://wp.wwu.edu/energysymposium.

WWU is an equal opportunity institution. For disability accommodation, please contact Extended Education at (360) 650-3308 or ExtendedEd@wwu.edu.