More than 120 people attended the 2011 Green Business Expo today at the Galvez Building Conference Center. The Expo provided an opportunity for environmentally friendly businesses, presenters and exhibitors to share their information with consumers or other business owners. These business concepts provide an environmental return for the citizens of Louisiana. Nine environmentally innovative companies made presentations and there many exhibiters demonstrating their businesses. The Expo was sponsored by ExxonMobil, TEA Inc., Louisiana Chemical Association and Vapor Point.

After opening remarks by DEQ, Curt Eysink, Executive Director of the Louisiana Workforce Commission, talked about green jobs and the economy of Louisiana. Nine presenters, such as Cerion Energy, Eco-Oil Treatment Technologies Corporation and AvGro, discussed their green business options. ExxonMobil speaker Monica Mainland, Refinery Technical Manager, spoke about”Meeting the World’s Energy Needs: Innovative Energy Technology.” Steven Rowlan, Environmental Affairs Director at Nucor, was the keynote speaker and talked about “Is everything that is “green” sustainable?”

The goal of the Green Business Expo is to bring together new environmental technology with the people who can utilize it to make a difference in the environment. It provides an opportunity for private and public enterprises to see environmental technologies and innovations that can help the environment and also help their bottom line. “DEQ is primarily a regulatory agency but environmental protection means more than that,” said DEQ Secretary Peggy Hatch. “Since everyone is responsible for protecting the environment, DEQ hosts this Expo as an outreach tool that is good for business and good for the environment. Environmental innovation makes Louisiana an even better state in which to live.”

If you missed the Green Business Expo, you can find information on it at www.deq.louisiana.gov/greenbusinessexpo.

A complete list of exhibitors is available at deq.louisiana.gov