Sierra Club, EMS Energy Institute, Kutztown University, Sustainable Energy Fund, Join Dozens of Companies, Organizations and Individual Sponsors Supporting the 5th Annual Pennsylvania Renewable Energy and Sustainable Living Festival

PHILADELPHIA--The Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Association (MAREA) announced today that its coming 5th Annual Pennsylvania Renewable Energy & Sustainable Living Festival promotes fast-track expertise and guides to new non-exportable “Green” jobs through a wide array of workshops, presentations and exhibits. The Festival also features eARTH Art, fashion, music and organic food programs all of which are open to the public and sponsored by a host of businesses, institutions, organizations, groups and individuals.

“Sierra Club has an overarching goal to combat global warming. Our priorities are to promote energy efficiency and clean renewable energy alternatives,” said Jeff Schmidt, Director of the Sierra Club Pennsylvania Chapter. “Education about healthy lifestyles, sustainable agriculture, energy independence, and environmental protection are just some of the benefits of attending the Renewable Energy and Sustainable Living Festival and we are pleased to be a festival sponsor again this year.”

According to Sam Yoder (a Festival founder), “The Festival continues to grow exponentially each year and now in our fifth year, we are delighted to have earned the support of a diversity of sponsors including: Delaware Valley Green Building Council, Eagle Solar Energy, LLC, The JDK Group, LLC, Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway, Rodale Institute, Shumei of America, Solar Technology Solutions, the PA Association of Sustainable Agriculture (PASA), East Penn Manufacturing, Silver Maple Veterinary Clinic, Advanced Solar Industries, Air Quality Partnership of Lehigh Valley-Berks, Back Home, Baum Construction, Berks Solar, Bullfrog Films, Business 2 Business Magazine, Environmental Management Systems, Fleetwood Bank, Fossil Free Fuels, GRID Magazine, Hand in Hand, Keith Brintzenhoff, Kutztown Folk Festival, Pennsylvania Certified Organic, Pretty Dirty Ladies, Write On and so many others.”

The Festival features more than 60 lectures and 140 exhibits, a comprehensive Alcohol Fuel production workshop led by Permaculture and BioFuels expert and author David Blume, an American Clay Workshop led by Carol Baumgartel and Keynotes by Scot Horst - Senior Vice President for LEED at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Thomas H. Greco, Jr., author of “The End of Money and the Future of Civilization,” Brian Tokar, author of “Renewing Energy and Renewing Society” and many others.

“Kutztown University is committed to environmental stewardship. It is our responsibility to do all we can, within our resources, to make our world a better place,” said F. Javier Cevallos Ph.D., President, Kutztown University. “The Kempton Festival offers our community a perfect opportunity to learn about ways in which we can all enhance our personal, institutional and corporate sustainability efforts, and we are proud to be sponsors of this event.”

The Festival takes place on a scenic 66 acre rural setting at the Kempton Community Center, Kempton, PA and runs Friday, 9/18 through Sunday, 9/20. Additional highlights include a collection of the most fuel-efficient vehicles on the market today as well as the latest wind, hydropower, solar, biofuel and green-building innovations. Entertainment will be provided daily, including concerts by Paul Winter and the Taiko Drummers and there will be fresh local produce featured at the farmers market sponsored by PASA.

For more information about MAREA or the festival please visit http://www.paenergyfest.com. To request a press pass, set up interviews or for background and graphics please contact:

Tom Harvey • theCommunications • thcommunications@gmail.com • (530) 257-3533