PA Renewable Energy Festival

On Saturday, 9/24, Lisa and I attended the 2nd Annual PA Clean Energy Festival in Kempton, PA. This is a gathering of Non-Profit groups, companies that manufacture clean energy alternatives, and other “natural” products. When we pulled up to the Kempton Community Park, we were greeted with a smile by the parking attendants. Although we could not park in the “Hybrid-Only” reserved parking area, we were still made to feel comfortable by the sounds of steel drums in the air; one of our first signs of the ideas on recycling and renewable energy that were to come during the day.

One of the seminars that we attended was the “PA Clean Energy Community Campain”, hosted by Keri Enright of Smart Power. The presentation went on to discuss the clean energy initiatives which are sponsored by the State of PA and the local power companies. Wind power is the sustainable energy option sponsored by the State of PA, mainly because of the hilly terrain of the state. This is a much more sustainable option than the 30-plus coal-fired power plans in the state.

Miss Enright also went on to explain ways in which people, companies, and even governments can purchase clean energy from power companies, through such cooperatives as Community Energy, Penn Future, the PA Energy Cooperative, and even directly from PECO, through PECO Wind. The small increase in cost you pay for renewable energy, versus non-renewable energy, goes toward the building of future clean energy sources.

Elsewhere at the festival, there were other tents, events and seminars. One event whose tent was packed was the “Build Your Sustainable home” event. I was interested in attending, but I figured I can also learn a lot about the topic in this class and the rest of the CRP Program at Temple.

In the vendor section, there were companies that sold solar panels, wind turbines, and geothermal HVAC systems. Also in attendance were comcrete companies, specializing in a aggregate-free concrete product, similar to the consistency of Rice Crispy Treats, which allowed for water penetrtation, and a reduction in impervious surface. There were representatives marketing a Milk Paint product, “green-building” construction companies, and Sun & Earth natural cleaning products for the home, realtors specializing in the sale of existing homes with “green” features, mulch products made from recycled tires.

I was amazed at the amount of farmers and large landowners in attendance. They truly had a great interest int eh options available to them, and the ability to use their land to produce their own energy, and possibly live “off the grid”. All of the food vendors also used compostable serving products. The eating utensils were made form potato starch, and the plates and cups were all made form corn products, all of which could go into the compose pile. The products were fairly sturdy, and greatly impressed me. Many other products used throught the day could also be recycled, and were also made from recycled products themselves.

Pictures