Unions showcase green building practices at Living Green Expo

The Expo takes place on the fairgrounds in St. Paul on Saturday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, May 3, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Union-sponsored events will take place in the labor pavilion at Dan Patch Avenue and Cooper Street.

The 4,000-square-foot pavilion was built to LEED standards and features working examples of green construction, including stone quarried in Mankato, a reflective white standing-seam roof, aluminum siding made in Minnesota and a plaza incorporating pervious concrete to reduce stormwater runoff. Free tours of the building will be given by architect Dan Grothe, AIA, LEED A.P., in between the workshop sessions.

In addition to tours, master crafts workers in roofing, concrete and masonry and pervious concrete and electricians will be on hand to answer questions about their work, green features in the building and how stimulus funds could affect your energy improvement project. Electricians will be making smoothies in blenders powered by solar energy.

Blue Sky Guides will be given away at the AFL-CIO building at 4 p.m. both days to the first 50 people (one per family). Donated by Great River Energy.

Union instructors will be facilitating workshops covering solar electric panes, solar thermal panels, energy efficient forced-air furnaces, energy conserving roofing techniques and more.

Workshop schedule:

Saturday, May 2

11 a.m. Solar Electricity, presented Vicki Sandberg, IBEW

12:30 p.m. Healthier Paint and Wall Finishes, presented by IUPAT

2 p.m. High Efficiency Furnace Systems, presented by Buck Paulsrud, Sheet Metal Workers\’ Local 10

3:30 p.m. 2 p.m. Aerated Autoclaved Concrete: a lightweight, precast building material for your green building projects, presented by Mark Wickstrom, International Union of Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers, and Olene Bigelow, International Masonry Institute

Architect tours of the AFL-CIO building by Dan Grothe in between workshops

Sunday, May 3

11 a.m. Solar Thermal Water Heating, presented by Kurt Koegel, Solarskies Mfg., LLC

12:20 p.m. Pervious Concrete – the Water-Friendly Pavement, presented by Tom Reger, Local 633

3:30 p.m. In the main workshop tent, learn the latest information about how the Federal Energy Stimulus plan may help you make energy-efficient improvements to your home or business. Terry Webster from the Office of Energy Security, Minnesota Department of Commerce, will present “The Federal Energy Stimulus and You.”

The Living Green Expo provides information and products to help Minnesotans improve the environmental and social impacts of their day-to-day living. It features over 270 exhibitors of products, services, and information, along with more than 60 workshops on a variety of sustainability and green living topics. Expo attractions include music, food, demonstrations, and activities for the whole family.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency leads a collaboration of governmental, nonprofit and business organizations to produce the Living Green Expo. For more information visit www.LivingGreen.org.

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