Kilowatt Ours to Premiere in North Jersey

For Immediate Release
February 24, 2009 Contact: Grace Sica, Outreach Coordinator, (609) 656-7612

Sparta - "Kilowatt Ours: A Plan to Re-Energize America," an award-winning documentary that explores practical, affordable solutions to America's energy crisis, will make its North Jersey premiere 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4 at the Sparta Theatre, 25 Centre Street, Sparta. The film is being presented by the New Jersey Sierra Club, Stop the Lines and the Byram Township Environmental Commission.

Viewers will have the chance to follow filmmaker Jeff Barrie as he explores the source of our electricity and the problems caused by energy production, including mountain top removal, childhood asthma and global warming. During his journey, he encounters individuals, businesses, organizations, and communities who are leading the way, using energy conservation, efficiency, and renewable power -- all while saving money.

"Energy efficiency is the difference between blowing the tops of our mountains, drinking mercury in our water, and scarring public lands or creating a healthy future where we all have enough of what we need," said Grace Sica from the NJ Sierra Club. "Focusing on efficiency first is a smart investment. The returns are huge -- clean air, clean water, and money in your pocket. What more motivation do we need?"

Following the film, a panel of speakers will address energy efficiency and how it relates to the proposed Susquehanna-Roseland power line project. PSE&G's proposal to more than triple the line's current size and capacity will curtail New Jersey's efforts to move towards clean energy solutions. Disturbing the Highlands Region to import more dirty power from Pennsylvania will have negative impacts from a local and national standpoint.

"We all have an effect on our environment when we flip that switch, and this film helps to give a real understanding on where our energy comes from," said David Slaperud of Stop The Lines, a grassroots group formed to address energy concerns in towns throughout North Jersey. "We can all play an important part in conserving our limited resources."

Seating for the program is limited. Please RSVP by March 1, 2009 to energize_me_at_northbyram.org

"Kilowatt Ours," which has gained exposure through word-of-mouth and grassroots efforts, demonstrates how simple changes - such using more energy efficient light bulbs or appliances - can have a direct impact on the health of our communities and planet as a whole.

"This film is a great way to help people understand the consequences of conspicuous energy consumption, and the simple steps we can all take towards conservation and energy efficiency," said Byram Township Councilman Scott Olson. "By taking these steps, we can help to eliminate any need for an aerial transmission line superhighway like the Susquehanna-Roseland project through our neighborhoods."

Viewers will likely be fascinated to witness how simple steps can make collective difference. For example, many people don't know that recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to power a television for three hours. Or that changing the lighting in one room in every home in America to Energy Star would be equivalent to removing one trillion pounds of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.

"Kilowatt Ours" has won numerous awards, including Best Documentary Feature -- South Dakota Film Festival 2007 and Best Environmental Film - Southern Appalachia Film Festival 2007. It is an official selection of the 2008 United Nations Association Film Festival.

For more information about the film, visit www.kilowattOurs.org <http://www.kilowattours.org/> .

Kara Seymour, Program Assistant NJ Sierra Club

145 W. Hanover Street Trenton, NJ 08618

609.656.7612

(f) 609.656.7618

<http://www.newjersey.sierraclub.org> www.newjersey.sierraclub.org

Received on 2009-02-24 16:20:03

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