Faithful flock to Green Energy Fair in Scranton
Published: July 18, 2011
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Everything from power-sipping LED light bulbs to multipanel solar arrays were on display at a Green Energy Fair at Temple Hesed on Sunday.
Attendees to the fair could see ways to save money and energy in big and small ways at various exhibits, such as one from Lowe's on electricity-saving devices. It included occupation-sensored room lighting and cutting-edge LED lights that use one-fifth of the power of incandescent bulbs and can last 25 years or more, said Chris Baker, a manager at the home improvement store. "There is a lot of new technology out there and lots for consumers to learn," Mr. Baker said.
The session was co-sponsored by Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light, a group of congregations, faith-based organizations and individuals addressing climate change as a moral issue.
Shawn Terrell of Dunmore-based Off-Grid Electric showed the potential of solar panel arrays that could be installed on roofs. While many of the tax credits for the solar systems have expired, the cost of ownership has dropped, he said, from $7 per watt of the system to about $5.
"I got a lot of questions today," Mr. Terrell said.
Environmental groups such as PennFuture and the Sierra Club were also on hand.
Rabbi Daniel J. Swartz said about 60 people came to the fair. He had hoped for more.
Energy use and consumption is a moral issue to which people of faith should pay attention, Rabbi Swartz said.
"The choices we make, what we do and don't do, have an effect on people on the other side of the world that we'll never see, and on future generations we'll never meet," he said.
Contact the writer: dfalchek@timesshamrock.com
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