NDSU’s Malini Srivastava has partnered with the city of Fargo to encourage energy conservation in the community.
Srivastava, assistant professor of architecture, is project lead for eFargo, a partnership with the city to enter the two-year Georgetown University Energy Prize competition, which aims to reduce energy use in cities around the country.
The eFargo team was one of 50 semifinalists selected to participate in the two-year competition for a chance to win the $5 million prize. The partnership aims to reduce energy consumption and increase renewables by 5 percent by 2016. The ultimate goal is to reduce emissions in keeping with the city’s Go2030 policy.
eFargo kick-off events are scheduled during Earth Week:
· eFargo launch and panel discussion: Wednesday, April 22, from 3 to 4 p.m. at Fargo Theatre Second Stage, 314 Broadway. Panelists include Srivastava, Marshal Albright of Cass County Electric Cooperative, Mark Nisbet of Xcel Energy and Jennifer Pickett of City of Fargo recycling. Karen Stoker will serve as moderator.
· Downtown Cleanup: Wednesday, April 22, any time from 4 to 6 p.m. Meet for Alley Fair cleanup at US Bank Plaza.
· Cleanup Thank You Party: Wednesday, April 22, 6 p.m. at the HoDo, 1st Avenue and Broadway. Play Fargo's first Earth Piano and make a conservation pledge in a high-tech photo shoot. Learn the top 10 easy action items for your home.
· Party for the Planets: Saturday, April 25 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Red River Zoo, 4255 23rd Ave. S. Visit the eFargo booth to help design and color the evil Dr. Waste-a-Watt for the eFargo K-12 Energy Challenge. Learn the top-ten easy action items for your home.
NDSU faculty members Rajesh Kavasseri and Huojun Yang from the College of Engineering; NDSU staff member Peter Atwood; and NDSU architecture students Amber Grindeland, Mackenzie Lyseng and Ryan Gram are also part of the eFargo team.
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