Breakout Session 14: Consumer and Decisionmaker Education

Chair:
Carol Werner, Executive Director, Environmental and Energy Study Institute

Discussants:
Jill Abelson, Energy STAR, U.S. EPA
Cyrus Bhedwar, State Energy Program Manager, Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority
Jim Kundell, Director, Vinson Institute of Environmental Policy, University of Georgia

Please click here for more information for the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority

Discussant Biographies

Cyrus Bhedwar joined the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority, Division of Energy Resources in June 2005.  As State Energy Program Manager his responsibilities include administering the Department of Energy’s State Energy Program, providing program support for various energy initiatives and assisting with the development of Georgia’s comprehensive energy plan.

Prior to joining GEFA, Cyrus was a staff member at Southface Energy Institute for nearly two and a half years, serving as the Liaison to the City of Atlanta.  He developed and implemented energy conservation programs and practices for Atlanta’s operating departments, researched and prepared policy briefs for Atlanta City Council and coordinated energy conservation and sustainability education and communication for city employees and residents.  He assisted in generating nearly $500,000 in savings, implementing a green building policy and coordinating energy audits and energy efficiency projects in one million square feet of city buildings. 

He received his Master’s Degree in Energy and Environmental Policy from the University of Delaware in May 2003.