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Energy Fair a hit with power consumers
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Posted on Oct 28 2006
At least one bit of good seems to have emerged from higher utility rates in the Commonwealth: Local residents are starting to become more energy conscious.
Yesterday’s REACh energy fair drew a crowd of over 400 individuals, all eager to learn ways to cut their utility costs.
Linda Concepcion-Torres, project coordinator for the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs’ Residential Energy Assistance Challenge program, said it was the biggest energy fair the agency has had.
The event was conducted for the fourth year in a row. It was held from 9am to 3pm at the 4-H Building at the Sabalu Market in Susupe.
“We see more people buying CFLs [compact fluorescent light bulbs]. I guess they are becoming more energy conscious. There will be more energy efficient homes after this fair,” Torres said.
She noted that even the variety of participating businesses increased. Previous energy fairs attracted mostly hardware stores that sold energy saving bulbs. This year’s event drew businesses offering such products as solar powered water heaters and energy saving computer equipment, as well as tinting and foam roofing services.
Government agencies were also at hand to provide information to low income families and individuals. Agencies present were the Commonwealth Utilities Corp., Division of Energy, Division of Waste Management, Division of Youth Services, Child Care Licensing Program, and the CREES Nutrition Program.
Raffle prizes and free gifts were distributed to individuals who came to the fair.
A DCCA REACh Energy Fair is also planned for Tinian within the next few weeks.
REACh is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and aims to promote public education on energy assistance and conservation, to promote understanding of budget matters in families, and to help clients of the DCCA Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program achieve energy self-sufficiency.
