It s no surprise that the PA Renewable Energy & Sustainable Living Festival is celebrating its third year in Kempton, Pennsylvania. The area is noted for its rolling landscape where fields fan out from the Appalachian Mountains and tumble down into some of the richest farming soil in Berks County. Harnessing the land, determined independence and a strong work ethic shape the PA Dutch tradition of small, family-owned farms clustered next to the old ways of the Mennonite farm community. The windmills dotting the landscape are not new, but closer in age to the centuries old homes and barns they serve. In a land where inventive ingenuity and get it done mentality never went out of style, the PA Renewable Energy Festival is a welcome addition to the life question, How do I take care of my own?

It s a funny thing how community connects people. Sam Yoder and Archie Follweiller met while investigating political candidates during an election year. Although both donated their time and talents toward supporting various political races, one of their connecting points was their frustration with the lack of ability of the political body to do what s right for the people. The political machine was lacking forward thinking and progressive approaches to the issues of food, fuel and shelter, not to mention health, wealth and happiness. Dave Bascelli joined in the local political group and in the conversations between Sam and Archie. It seemed everywhere they went, every conversation was oozing with the same discontent, the same anger and frustration, at the inability of elected officials regardless of party affiliation to push for clean energy, clean food and clean lifestyle options. But here s where the frustration of three individuals took an interesting turn they decided to do something about it.

From that frustration, the Mid Atlantic Renewable Energy Association (MAREA) and the PA Renewable Energy & Sustainable Living Festival were born. Each person brought their own set of talents, passions and peeves to the volunteer table to create a non-profit group dedicated to educating the public about renewable energy production, energy efficiency and sustainable living. A major component of the festival would be the Friday educational programs dedicated to middle, high school and college students about their future in energy and sustainable living options. Bill Hennessy, who had been volunteering at the Nolde Forest Renewable Energy Festival outside of Reading, PA, joined in and became President of the group. The support network of dozens of other volunteers throughout the community helped move the project forward and MAREA took hold as a grassroots group with its sights on the bigger picture. If the politicians couldn t figure out how to clean up our world, the people would show them how.

Bill Hennessy doesn t hesitate to credit Archie and Sam as founders of MAREA. In his roll as President of the group, Bill brings a calm leadership and direction. His interest in the energy issues came from his background in legal research and the constant, circular questions about the power behind the energy industry. The tremendous amounts of money invested and made by government and industry on the production of energy options like nuclear power was startling. Lobbying groups, with constant access to legislators and power brokers, shape the direction of our energy future toward filling the pockets of an elite few while emptying the pockets of the rest of the planet. Big business would only be losing money by encouraging independence and self-reliance of the masses.

MAREA started as a group of people that decided that we don t have to wait for government to lead the way. The festival is an opportunity for the public to learn how to take care of their own needs, says Bill. He reflects on the inescapable facts about the present push for nuclear energy.
The same issues exist that were there in the 70 s. We still have the swimming pools filled with nuclear waste. His voice edges with excitement on the subject of this year’s lecture series at the Renewable Energy Fest on nuclear power and the real dangers that surround it. The Power of the Future Is Renewable, Not Nuclear, sponsored by the Sierra Club PA, presents a full array of nuclear topic, facts and retorts to those who would label this deadliest of energy options a clean, alternative fuel . With lecture topics like, Nuclear Energy Is Not A Solution to Global Climate Change, presented by Jon Block of The Union of Concerned Scientists; Uncovering Health Hazards of Nuclear Reactors, presented by Joe Mangano of Radiation & Public Health Project; and The Enduring Threat of the Atomic Age to Peace, Health, Safety & Our Planet, presented by Judy Johnsrun of Environmental Coalition on Nuclear Power, every visitor will understand the need for clear thinking in a time of deception and manipulated information.

Technology for renewable energy options is out there. As you examine the issues more closely, you realize the nuclear industry is paying big money for the message that they are the only option, says Bill. In the last two years, the PA Renewable Energy Festival, with an annual attendance of over 5,000 visitors, has provided the knowledge needed to make real, educated choices for a cleaner future.

The goal of connecting and informing people nationwide about sustainable lifestyle and energy options is what Dave Bascelli brings to the volunteer table when he designs the marketing and website for the PA Renewable Energy Fest. The interest from the public has been tremendous and the increase in advertisers, sponsors and vendors is a sure sight that alternative is no longer fringe . The Festival has grown naturally, from the bottom up, educating the public first and, eventually, elected officials catch on.

An exciting outcome for Dave of working with the non-profit group has been the power to take back the needs of the community and teach the government what the needs of the people really are. Real grassroots stuff. With last year’s profit from the Energy Fest, MAREA installed solar panels on the Kempton Fire Company.

One of the coolest things that came out of the festival was the plan to use the extra money for local communities. We wanted to do a project and got all the donations to make it free, says Dave. We tried to involve all layers of local government; Representative Argall got $5,000.00 from the state and Albany Township forgave the amusement tax in exchange for MAREA volunteers to install the solar panels at the Kempton Fire Company. This will save the Fire Company and the community a $30.00 electric bill forever.

The website, www.paenergyfest.com, overflows with information about the speakers and workshops that touch all aspects of sustainable living and energy; Straw Bale Construction; Composting toilets; Energy Independence; Local Microcredit Systems; Ethanol for Home Brewing; A Wind Turbine Project at Warrior Run High School; 100% Biodiesel is OK for Your Tractor; New Developments in Photovoltaics; Green Builders Lecture Series. The list seems endless and inspiring.

It was the feeling that our leaders had let us down that really motivated Archie Follweiller to co-found MAREA. In the 1950 s, America supplied 50% of the world oil. But by the 1970 s, only 20 years later, we were dependant on outside petroleum production to fulfill our needs. While the rest of the world investigated other energy options, America kept digging a deeper energy hole. Finally, Archie got tired of going to marches and rallies and wanted to do something proactive.

Government is totally imbedded in oil, gas and nuclear. There s tax breaks, no private insurance. It pays for mining, says Archie. Yet, they argue against new industry that could make a difference in our lives. That needs to change. It s pocketbook economics. Business has to be involved in alternative fuels because it s just good business sense.

Archie spends close to four months organizing the speakers and sponsors for the Energy Festival. This year’s schedule is bursting with educational and entertainment choices, including over 60 speakers, 12 of whom will address how renewable energy can supplant any need for coal or nuclear. The Festival is an unusual mix of information about sustainable living, some of which applies more to traditional, rural settings and some of which easily applies to modern, urban settings.

We re one of the only festivals that does renewable energy, farming and education. It s about the American can-do spirit, says Archie. This empowers individuals and families not to be dependant on big business and foreign fuel. This empowers the farmer who grows what we can use for fuel. It s about choosing to be a conscious consumer for the individual and for the community and Archie can t wait to share the incredible speakers and subjects with the outside world. The keynote speaker s topics range from organic agriculture as a viable option for family farms to exploring the danger and lies of genetically modified foods to a worker-owner biodiesel plant that reduces local petroleum demand. The Fest is everything you wanted to know about self-reliance, but were afraid to ask.

If you looked up Sam Yoder in the dictionary, the definition would be, passionate. Sam is the one who drives two veggie cars fueled by biodiesel and has full solar power at his home, which he sells back to the electric company. First, his long-term interest in energy independence and sustainable living led him to the Wisconsin Renewable Energy Fest and the Common Ground Fair in Maine. Then, his interest led him to co-founding MAREA and the PA Renewable Energy Festival in his own back yard.

America was supposed to be about liberty and freedom, says Sam. The rich are getting richer and the middle are squeezed. Capitalism, as it is now, is out of control. It s time for this country to get back to its strength the people. Empowering the people to do it yourself and learn about the lifestyle options that strengthen community and relationships is ultimately the goal for Sam, the Festival and MAREA. It s about trying to support local communities to protect themselves. It s about showing people a path to break away from their attachment of letting the outside world dictate a community s future.

And the future lies with the children. September 21st, the Friday before the Energy Festival opens, is dedicated to educational and instructional programs offered to area schools. Between 800 and 1,000 students from middle, high school and college spend the morning learning about their fuels, foods and life choices from the speakers and displays. And much of the information will steer those growing minds toward curiosity and community and the future.

We have community values, says Sam. We re an idea group. We re not supporting a progressive political agenda, we re supporting a community agenda.

Everything old is new, again. Harnessing the natural elements of sun, wind and water. Conserving and recycling resources. Growing your own food and fuel. Buying locally. Creating co-op s and collectives. Pooling people for the common good. Creating community. The PA Renewable Energy & Sustainable Living Festival merely provides us with the way to reconnect our past and present to create our future.

The PA Renewable Energy & Sustainable Living Festival, Sept. 22 and 23, 2007 aims to inform and educate the community at large about renewable energy production, energy efficiency and sustainable living in a comfortable festival atmosphere with dynamic and nationally recognized speakers, various exhibitors and vendors, workshops and hands-on demonstrations. Located in beautiful Kempton, PA with transportation from Kutztown.

For more information head to the website:
The Pennsylvania Renewable Energy Festival

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