SEMINAR ON RECYCLING

Downey’s Energy Resource Center, Southern California Gas Co.’s $7.9-million junkyard showcase for energy-saving technology, will host a seminar Thursday on recycling construction materials into new buildings that are friendly to the environment.

Speakers and exhibitors at “Green Exposition” will discuss government incentives for “buy-recycled” programs and present the latest in information and products associated with renewable energy. A Los Angeles official who is working to divert half of the city’s waste stream from landfills by 2000 will be the featured speaker.

In the year since the futuristic Energy Resource Center opened, more than 20,000 architects, builders, engineers, government officials, corporate executives and residential customers have visited the facility to learn how they can cut their costs. The Environmental Protection Agency says the center uses about 45% less energy than comparable buildings without the energy-saving treatment.

“We’re a living example of sustainable design,” said Manager Diane Morrison. “We try to promote the latest in ‘green building’ design and energy efficiency. We want to help businesses stay in California, where costs are so high, and one of those costs is energy.”