US Census Bureau and Proposed Urban Area Criteria for the 2010 Census
Wednesday, October 27 from 2:00 - 3:00 pm
Teleconference dial in number: 916-233-3083
Access Code: 258-290-362

The Census Bureau recently proposed criteria for defining urban areas based on the results of the 2010 Decennial Census and is requesting public comment on these proposed criteria. With comments due November 22, 2010, NARC is hosting a conference call with the Census Bureau to review the Federal Register notice and take your questions. NARC is also requesting feedback as to whether or not the Organization should submit comments on behalf of its membership. All attendees can join in on this conference call at no cost.

Presenters include: Erika Young, NARC Transportation Director; Michael Ratcliffe, Assistant Division Chief, Geocartographic Products and Criteria Geography Division U.S. Census Bureau. 

 Using RETScreen to Identify the Most Promising Clean Energy Projects
Wednesday, October 27 from 2:00 - 3:15 pm

Hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy, Technical Assistance Program for state and local officials.   At this Webinar, you will hear about RETScreen, which is a leading online software tool that can help state and local officials quickly conduct feasibility analyses for clean energy projects. This software is relatively easy to use and is free of charge. It can therefore significantly reduce the expense associated with identifying and assessing potential energy projects.

The webinar is free of charge, but you must register in advance in order to obtain a URL to view the slides via the Internet and phone number to hear the presentations.

Strategies to Cut Energy Use by 50% in Commercial Buildings

Thursday, October 28 from 11:00 to 12:30 pm

Recently, DOE, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) released reports examining various strategies to reduce energy use by 50% in large hospitals, quick service restaurants, and large and medium office buildings. This Webinar will review the purpose and methodologies of the reports and their key findings. To view the reports, please visit the Commercial Building Initiative Design Guides Web page.

This Webinar is geared toward commercial business owners, commercial builders, architects, professional engineers, lighting designers, and building engineers. This information would also be beneficial to members of DOE's Commercial Building Energy Alliances and Commercial Building Partnerships.

Presenters include:

• Jerome Lam - Energy Technology Program Specialist, DOE
• Adam Hirsch - Senior Engineer, NREL
• Bing Liu - Senior Research Engineer, PNNL
• Shanti Pless - Senior Engineer, NREL
• Brian Thornton - Senior Engineer, PNNL

This Webinar is free of charge, but you must register in advance to obtain the URL and password for logging on via the Internet and the phone number to connect to the audio.

Procurement System Review Workshop
November 2 and 3
Chicago, Ilinois
The Procurement System Review Workshop will be conducted by transit professionals who are also reviewers for the FTA's Procurement System Review Program. The instructors will provide guidance in each of the 56 areas to be reviewed, answer questions about how to respond to specific review areas, and share industry best procurement practices.

Staff from the FTA will attend the Workshop to answer questions about the Procurement System Review, assist you in any area related to your use FTA funds, and refer you to printed guidelines or other resources should you require additional information.

Click here for additional information and to register.

UPCOMING CONFERENCES

Solar Market Transformation Conference
Friday, October 29, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Normal Theater, 209 North Street in Normal, Illinois
As part of the 2010 Illinois Energy Expo at the Marriott Conference Center.
Hosted by the Center for Renewable Energy at Illinois State University, the Midwest Renewable Energy Association, and the Green Institute at Heartland Community College.  Presentations will cover solar resources, economics, technology, marketplace, partnerships, and more.  The conference is intended for mayors, city planners, council members, and the general public. 
Click here to register; or call 309-268-8160 to register by phone.

The Future of Midwest Transportation
Wednesday, November 10, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Peoria Civic Center Grand Ballroom, 201 SW Jefferson Ave, Peoria, Illinois
For the full day, $125, which is reduced to $100 for students and faculty. To attend the lunch only, the cost is $50.
Click here for additional information or call 309-677-2820.

Keys to Grow Your Regional Economy: Jobs, Innovation and Partnerships
November 15-17
St. Louis, Missouri
The USEDA, Chicago and Denver Regional Offices will host a joint regional conference which will provide ample opportunities for networking and interaction with regional economic development leaders, practitioners, representatives from other federal agencies, presenters and EDA staff. For further information contact Lindsey Riley at NARC.

Transportation Research Board (TRB) 90th Annual Meeting
January 23 - 27, 2011
Washington, D.C., at the Connecticut Avenue Collection hotels: Marriott Wardman Park, Omni Shoreham, and Washington Hilton.  Click here for additional information.