A green energy organization's coming to Portage in April to hold a conference at the Glesby Centre. Portage Regional Economic Development Executive Director Vern May explains how some current trends may see Manitobans given more serious consideration to this alternative form of energy.

"The Manitoba Sustainable Energy Association has been pursuing opportunities for green energy in the province of Manitoba for the last number of years," May says. "Probably one of our stumbling blocks for Manitoba has been the low price of Hydro."

He notes it hasn't been taken seriously before Hydro costs now look like they're going to get higher. May adds the event's theme is 'Sustainable Energy and Carbon Pricing, and What Does it Mean for Me?'

"Some of the things they're going to be talking about is carbon reduction in Manitoba and what is the role of sustainable and renewable energy," continues May. "Industry specialists will be talking about various renewable energy opportunities in the province. Community energy in Ontario will be presented including some of the initiatives they're pioneering in that province that could be a good fit for us in Manitoba."

May thinks it's a conversation we should have here. We're far from pioneering this, but we're already seeing some farmers are seeing they can go off-grid and solar power their entire farm, he notes. May adds it's not a radical concept like it may have been ten years ago, and there are great opportunities to look at for now, and into the future.