The program will be held in the wake of a recent announcement by officials at the LA Department of Water and Power that they are preparing for blackouts in their own service area if a statewide emergency is called. The DWP was previously exempt from such blackouts, so building owners in the area didn't have to worry about the shortages that have plagued many other parts of the Southland.

The program is designed to bring Southland building owners and managers up-to-date on the latest developments in the energy market and provide them with strategies to cope with potential power shortages and soaring energy bills. More than a dozen experts will address topics ranging from little known rebate and incentive programs to innovative power-saving concepts, legal issues and legislative efforts to end the power crisis.

The one-day forum and expo is part of BOMA's ongoing efforts to help managers and owners cope with the energy crisis. BOMA is teaming with the State and Consumer Services Agency to help distribute "Flex Your Power" energy-conservation brochures to landlords and tenants alike; is working with state officials to exchange conventional light bulbs for power-saving fluorescent bulbs; and has met with Southern California Edison to discuss the implementation of recently passed legislation that provides funding for loans and rebates on energy-saving equipment.