Movie Screening Helps Brownsville Consumers Lower Heating Bills and Use Energy Responsibly

A new documentary film designed to help consumers cut their energy bills and improve the quality of the environment is touring the United States this spring as many Americans face record-high heating bills. The public is invited to view “Kilowatt Ours: A Plan to Re-Energize America” during a special screening at First United Methodist Church, Sunday, April 22. This acclaimed film advocates energy conservation methods and clean, renewable power sources available as alternatives to the high costs of energy.

When: Sunday, April 22, 2007 at 6:30 p.m.

Where: First United Methodist Church, Culver Hall, 117 Franklin Street, Brownsville

Kilowatt Ours is the story of filmmaker and conservationist Jeff Barrie’s 18-Month journey across the southeastern U.S. to document our energy-related problems and present practical, cost saving solutions for consumers. Widespread problems revealed in Kilowatt Ours include mountaintop removal, air pollution, global warming, childhood asthma, and mercury contamination. The film illustrates practical solutions that help homeowners save more than $600 per year on energy bills while helping the environment and protecting human health.

“I hope this film sparks an energy conservation movement across America, while boosting demand for clean renewable power sources,” says filmmaker Jeff Barrie, who will lead a discussion following the screening. “Many people are unaware that we’re still burning coal to generate most of our electricity in America, creating serious consequences to the environment and human health. The need for conservation is urgent,” says Barrie.

According to the Department of Energy, the average American home consumes more than 900 kilowatt-hours of electricity each month. More than 50% of our nation’s electricity is generated in coal-fired power plants, amounting to nearly 6 tons of coal burned to generate electricity for the typical American home each year. By using products marked with EPA’s Energy Star label, purchasing power generated from renewable resources, more effectively insulating our homes, and utilizing natural energy sources like sunlight, wind, and geothermal power, consumers can reduce the impact of their energy usage, while saving money.

For more information please contact Martha Lyle Ford at 731-780-6737.