Ohiopyle State Park is the southern gateway into the Laurel Highlands and it represents the beautiful natural resources and unique sense of community that visitors can find throughout the region. Located inside the park, the Borough of Ohiopyle, as part of an effort to become more sustainable has received a $5,000 grant from the West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund (WPPSEF) to host two educational events this autumn, promoting energy efficiency, energy conservation and renewable energy. This help from the WPPSEF is also in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC). PEC protects and restores the natural and built environments through innovation, collaboration, education and advocacy.
This funding will support the Ohiopyle Sustainable Energy Fair, to be held Saturday, October 8, 2011 from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. in the Ohiopyle-Stewart Community Center. Exhibitors from clean energy businesses and non-profits will be on hand to help the community and visitors to learn more about energy savings and renewable energy, including biomass, solar, wind, geothermal, and hydropower. This event is free to the public and will offer exhibits, hands-on demonstrations and information for sustainable living.
The grant will also fund a workshop for local Ohiopyle businesses and Borough residents on Wednesday, October 18th, focused on saving energy and making Ohiopyle a leader in clean energy.
“Helping Ohiopyle to become more sustainable fits well with the mission of the West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund,” says Program Director, Joel Morrison. We reinvest in local communities supporting clean energy, we help reduce energy usage through technology and stimulate clean energy generation.
Located at the southern reaches of the Laurel Ridge, Ohiopyle State Park encompasses approximately 20,500 acres of rugged natural beauty and serves as the gateway to the Laurel Highlands. Close to major metropolitan areas and offering vast choices of activities, Ohiopyle State Park attracts millions of visitors annually.
Project partners include Ohiopyle State Park, DCNR, Backyard Gardens, Student Conservation Association, Trail Towns Outreach Corps, National Historic Road, the Fayette County Redevelopment Authority, and Pennsylvania Environmental Council.
Both events build on Ohiopyle’s environmental leadership through such projects as the Laurel Highlands Conservation Landscape Initiative (CLI) and the green streets stormwater management project.
Learn more about Ohiopyle State Park