Public and private sectors unite for energy conservation

Various vendors and government agencies joined forces with the Residential Energy Assistance Challenge program in its energy fair Saturday.

The program, which is under the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, aims to educate and promote awareness for each household on the significance of conserving energy.

Occupying the parking lot area of the Oleai Sports Complex, participating agencies and vendors set up booths with displays featuring various products that increase conservation, as well as educational materials detailing ways of conserving energy and cost-cutting measures regarding energy consumption, among others.

Visitors strolled through tents bearing more information. Each was urged to register and carry a fill-out form before visiting the various sections, as giveaways were given to those who visited eight stations. Giveaway items included compact fluorescent lights, umbrellas, and key chains.

“I was expecting people but not this much,” said REACh program coordinator Linda Concepcion-Torres. “It’s bigger than the first one [held in 2002], and we also have more vendors combined with social service agencies this year, and so it’s a plus for us and everyone in the community.”

Concepcion-Torres said the number of participating vendors and agencies disseminating information, as well as the total number of visitors, showed that they were successful in spreading the word about energy conservation.

“I think, with all these vendors and agencies here and everyone coming and taking time to listen and watch displays, the message is being sent out,” she said. “If we can change one household, I think that’s a success in itself.”

Among the participating vendors were Microl Corp., YCO Hardware, Ace Hardware, and Trans-America.

“We’re exhibiting our items, especially the lighting fixtures,” said Ding Luna of YCO. “We want people to know what kind of products are good for conserving energy because it’s very important for all of us.”

Ace Hardware staff Ben Aldan and Paul Santos echoed what Luna said, citing the importance of members of the community recognizing cost-cutting measures that “save them money.”

“We have here a display comparing energy conserving light bulbs and other light bulbs so people can see the difference of the energy each uses. We also have other products dealing with roofing and how it may help reduce heat entering the house. All these can help a person save,” Aldan said.

Government agencies also included the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Public Health, Chamorro and Carolinian Language Policy Commission, Office on Aging, Division of Youth Services, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Saipan Mayor’s Office, Energy Division of Department of Public Works, Historic Preservation Office, and many more.

“Our daily work deals with energy and we try to promote energy conservation,” said Loraine Seman of the Energy Division. “This is another good venue for us to reach the community, especially now with the increase of fuel as well as power surcharge being proposed, so we’re trying to promote this for education.”