October is annually designated as National Energy Awareness Month. The U.S. Department of Energy (US DOE) participates annually with the intent to draw attention to our nation’s electrical grid system and “to highlight the importance of energy to our national prosperity and security.” As the US DOE states, “Energy, our most critical infrastructure, is all but invisible to most, but our focus on continued innovation protects American lives today and ensures better lives tomorrow.”
This year, Metropolitan Energy Center (MEC) will use this truth to draw attention to energy efficiency and how it relates to our infrastructure, including our transportation systems and the built environment. There is indeed innovation happening on a national scale, and it’s occurring quickly. MEC is either hosting, co-hosting, or cross-promoting a number of in-person and virtual events this October to highlight all the ways our nation can modernize the way it uses energy to create a prosperous future for our youth and future generations. Click the links below to learn more about each event and how to participate (more links to come as the suite of events is finalized).
Whether an industry professional or policy maker or technician or a member of the general public, we have at least one event for you. Join us and our members, volunteers and friends during Energy Awareness Month. We’ll celebrate recent achievements and foster accelerated adoptions of energy conservation, renewables and cleaner fuels.
Energy Awareness 2021 Event List:
| Native Plant Sale & Drive Electric Week Event at Project Living Proof with Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City | Sept. 25 |
| National Drive Electric Week: South Park in Lawrence | Sept 25 |
| Lion Electric School Bus Ride and Drive: Lee’s Summit Schools | Sept 28 |
| National Drive Electric Week: Driving Electric: Black & Veatch EV Drivers Tell All (Virtual) | Sept 29 |
| National Drive Electric Week: Prairie Village Presbyterian Church | Sept 29 |
| National Drive Electric Week: ICT (Wichita Towne East Square) | Oct. 2 |
| National Energy Efficiency Day (Ask Emily for a model Proclamation for your city, business or organization) | Oct. 6 |
| Marquee Event: Our Best Buildings Yet: A Forum on Energy Efficiency in the Kansas City Region and Beyond | Oct. 7 |
| Virtual Workshop on Diesel Emissions Reduction Funding Opportunities: Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative | Oct. 12-14 |
| Webinar: EV Fleet Trends: Advice from the Experts (hosted by Louisiana Clean Fuels Coalition) | Oct. 13 |
| Marquee Event Day of EVs (In-Person): Exploring EVs in Municipal Fleets with City of Olathe, Indian Creek Library in Olathe, KS | Oct. 19 |
| Marquee Event Day of EVs (Virtual): Electrifying Terminal Trucks: Best Practices and Lessons Learned from Deployments in the Kansas City Region and Beyond | Oct. 19 |
| Our Energy Horizon: A Solar, Storage, Electric Vehicle & Transmission Event, Thompson Barn in Lenexa, KS (hosted by Clean Energy Business Council) | Oct. 25 |
| Weatherization Day 2021 | Oct. 30 |
