Residents Can Attend Free Clean Energy Workshop on Saturday

In response to resident requests for information on purchasing clean energy in their homes, the City of College Park’s (CBE) is hosting a clean energy workshop at this weekend.

“Residents have seen a poster over at that says it uses 100 percent wind power energy and some of the folks are wondering how they could get in on that,” said Alan Hew, resident and member of the CBE.

The clean energy workshop is one of many that the committee has organized to address various environmental concerns throughout the city. The committee is composed of volunteers who advise the mayor and council on environmental issues.

“Our workshops help our residents keep our city cleaner,” Hew said. In the past they have hosted , gardening and energy efficiency workshops, Hew said.

City Hall is looking into purchasing 100 percent renewable energy and there also talks about , Hew said.

After conducting a survey of residents who attended the last CBE workshop on energy efficiency, the committee decided to create a program that addressed the citizens’ most popular concern, Hew said.

“We’re constantly trying to work on new ideas and ways to make the city cleaner to do our part in the city,” Hew said.  

Expert Ross Salawitch, a professor in the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Maryland will discuss the variety of renewable energy and how to garner Renewable Energy Credits (REC).

Michael Heintz, energy assurance planning manager, for the Maryland Energy Administration will explain how RECs are marketed and the ways residents can purchase green energy. 

The workshop will also feature companies that sell clean energy. Representatives from those companies will speak about their products and services.

The workshop will take place at 10 a.m., at City Hall, 4500 Knox Road, and it's free to the public.