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October 9, 2013                                     Trevor Keith, Energy Program Coordinator

                                                                 tkeith@co.slo.ca.us

       805-781-1431

 “The Energy Event” Highlights Energy Education, Sets the Stage for Future Energy Champions

 

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – Last Saturday was a busy day in San Luis Obispo County. With so many community events and activities taking place, organizers were unsure how big a crowd to expect at Cuesta College for the second annual “Energy Event”. The turnout was both encouraging and an indication of things to come. Event organizers including the San Luis Obispo Regional Energy Alliance are considering the high attendance an indication that the community values energy education and wants to see more of it.

“The Energy Event” is the highlight of San Luis Obispo County’s month long observance of National Energy Awareness Month. This year’s activities focused on kids and families, and partnered with Cuesta College’s new Sustainability Resource Center and local elementary school teachers to showcase student projects on energy efficiency and renewable energy. Participating schools and teachers included Heidi Cooper and Kristina Holterman with Carissa Plains Elementary, Joe Kirschner with Templeton Elementary, Jeff Morgan with with Sinsheimer Elementary, Jodi Rorden with Hawthorne Elementary, Valerie Breese with CL Smith Elementary, Kimberly Kelly with Bishop’s Peak Elementary, Valerie Hinrichs with Santa Margarita Elementary, Tanya Avery with Cappy Culver Elementary, and Katherine Kirby with Monarch Grove Elementary.

The day started off with the inaugural 5K Energy Run and kids’ fun dashes sponsored by Running Divas. Swarnjit Boyal and Mollee Huisinga were the top male and female finishers, respectively.

Another first, the inaugural Energy Champion Awards were announced with help from Mr. Eco, environmental rap superhero. Recipients were Jim Dececco with Oceano Elementary School, Annie Turner with Atascadero High School and the GreenHound Academy, Carissa Plains Elementary School, and Emma Zelus, a student and environmental leader at Paso Robles High School. All Energy Champions were nominated by community members for their leadership in energy and sustainability education.

Throughout the day, young attendees learned about energy use by attempting the Energy Quest, answering energy related questions by touring booths hosted by teachers and students as well as local non-profit organizations and agencies. Kids also enjoyed exploring forms of renewable energy with LEGOs, and learned how to power a digital clock with a potato. “Clean and efficient use of energy is a rapidly emerging field and hopefully resources like this will allow these kids to be the Energy Champions of the future”, said County Energy Program Manager Trevor Keith. “The success of this event is largely due to the collaboration of many different organizations and dedicated community members. We will build on this throughout the next year to keep the community engaged with the resources they need for a smart energy future.”

To learn more about the San Luis Obispo Regional Energy Alliance and stay informed about future events, visit sloregionalenergyalliance.org

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Energy Awareness Month is brought to you by the following non-profits, companies, and local agencies: San Luis Obispo County Planning and Building Department, SLO County Energy Watch, SLO County Air Pollution Control District, Cuesta Sustainability Resource Center, U.S. Green Building Council California Central Coast Chapter, The Central Coast Clean Cities Coalition, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Southern California Gas Company, MidAmerican Solar, NRG Energy and SunPower.