Kansas Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson plans to take part in a panel discussion titled "Green Energy Options in Kansas," on Earth Day at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 22.

Mark Parkinson

The event will be held at Wichita State University in 209 Hubbard Hall. Parkinson is co-chair of the Kansas Energy Council and chair of the Kansas Wind Working Group.

Additional confirmed panelists include Kansas Sen. Donald Betts Jr.; WSU Distinguished Professor Emeritus Bill Wentz; and several other green energy experts. Betts has recently dealt with the proposed Holcomb coal-fired power plant expansion issue in the Kansas Legislature. He also is running for the seat in Congress currently held by Rep. Todd Tiahrt.

Wentz is working to develop a carbon footprint for the city of Wichita. He also is former executive director of the National Institute for Aviation research.

The panel will be moderated by WSU geology instructor Toni Jackman, assistant director of WSU's Center for Environment and Human Health.

The panel discussion will be preceded by a short documentary, "Revolution Green: A True Story of Biodiesel in America." The documentary has won awards at several film festivals and features Willie Nelson with narration by Woody Harrelson. Revolution Green is being shown through a special arrangement with the producer. More information can be found at www.revolutiongreen.com.

This event is co-sponsored by the WSU Green Group, WSU College Democrats, WSU Center for Environment and Human Health and WSU Student Activities Council. The goal of the event is to engage the community in an honest discussion of Kansas energy policy, green energy options and potential green energy solutions in Kansas.

WSU Green Group is an officially recognized WSU student organization. The mission of the group is to encourage the community to be conscious of its relationship with a shared natural environment. The group advocates conservation, awareness, responsibility and education. Additional information about the WSU Green Group can be found at www.wichita.edu/wsugreengroup.

The WSU Center for Environment and Human Health is a statewide clearinghouse for environmental, community coalitions, networks of community members and nonprofit health and human service organizations. More information about CEHH can be found at http://webs.wichita.edu/cehh/.