News Release
September 10, 2008

Politics, world economics amp UW’s 2008 Consumer Issues Conference  

Planners of the 2008 Consumer Issues Conference at the University of Wyoming this month knew last year the topics of energy and telecommunications would be of interest to everyday consumers.

            They didn’t know then that election year political elbowing and world economics would balloon the importance.

“The shooting up of gas prices over the summer and projected increase in cost for natural gas for heating this winter have made these topics even more relevant than we realized when planning a year ago,” said Dee Pridgen, professor and associate dean of the UW College of Law and an organizer of the conference.

            The 8th annual conference is Sept. 25-26 with the theme “Focus on Energy and Telecommunications.” More information about the conference is at http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/consumerconference/.          

There are more than 14 presentations within four breakout sessions related to energy and telecommunication issues on Thursday, Sept. 25, and a day of energy-related tours Sept. 26. Telecommunications issues include cable television, cell phone markets and “do not call” lists, said Pridgen.

“Although there have been a number of energy conferences recently, this one is unique in that it takes the consumer perspective and provides opportunities for attendees from various perspectives – consumers, researchers, policymakers and business – to discuss alternatives to addressing the challenges we are facing,” said Virginia Vincenti, professor of family and consumer sciences in the College of Agriculture and a conference organizer.

“What would a green economy look like?” is the topic of keynote speaker Felicity Barringer, a reporter for The New York Times. Barringer was appointed national correspondent for the environment for The New York Times in September 2003. Previously, she had been United Nations bureau chief since February 2003 and a media reporter at The New York Times since April 1998.

Planners don’t foresee a topic of their conference – high gasoline prices – reducing the numbers attending.

“That would be ironic, wouldn’t it?” asked Pridgen. “We draw most of our audience from the local community and region, so I don’t think that will be that big of a factor. We hope to get more people from far away, but it’s not an expensive conference, and it’s usually not an expensive trip for most people.”

Vincenti pointed out the conference Web site also offers a means of coordinating vehicle travel through the Ride Board.

For activities after the first day of the conference, attendees are invited to consider attending a discussion with novelist and human rights activist Salman Rushdie, author of Satanic Verses. He will speak and answer audience questions in the UW College of Arts and Sciences auditorium at 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25. This event is sponsored by the UW Department of English. It is free and open to the public.

            A choice of energy tours is available Friday. They include a tour of the UW Indoor Practice Facility to view its sustainable features including south-facing orientation and solar panels; a tour of the Happy Jack Wind Farm and a tour inside one of the turbines; a hybrid straw bale home that uses solar panels with radiant floor heat, bamboo floors, captured rainwater and snowmelt systems; and participation in a residential home energy audit in Laramie. Separate registration is required for the tours, which include lunch and transportation.

###

Contact: Steven L. Miller, Senior Editor
Phone: (307) 766-6342
E-mail: slmiller@uwyo.edu
Archived News Site http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/UWAG/news.asp

###