Some Orange county schools will be a little greener this year, thanks to the support of hundreds of participants at Earth Action Fest. The event, held on Earth Day in Chapel Hill, raised nearly $2000 to purchase renewable energy through NC GreenPower for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City school system.

Earth Action Fest organizers present a check
for the purchase of renewable energy for the
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City school system.
Photo: Jerry Markatos

Organizers raised money through direct contributions and through the sale of green Earth Action Fest bracelets, which proved very popular with the hundreds of participants who attended the events.

The event was co-hosted by the SURGE Network, Eartheal and the UNC Sustainability Coalition, and involved dozens of volunteers in the development and production of the event. All involved have a common interest in environmental stewardship and were eager to share that commitment with others at the event. Organizers of Earth Action Fest were very pleased with the number of groups and vendors that chose to take part in the event.

"It was a wonderful grassroots effort to be a part of," said Dennis Markatos-Soriano, SURGE projects director. "And SURGE is excited to help NC GreenPower build the renewables capacity in our local community and throughout the state."

The raising of nearly $2000 for the purchase of electricity from NC GreenPower was in line with organizers’ goal of making a significant contribution of renewable energy to the Chapel Hill-Carrboro school system. The money will generate approximately 80,000 kWh of electricity from the cleaner resources that NC GreenPower offers.

The generation will provide an offset in carbon dioxide equivalent to planting nearly 13,000 trees. The renewable generation will also help to reduce particulate and mercury pollution, which can cause health problems in young children.

The electricity will be added to the electric grid to the benefit of all North Carolinians, and the message of a community that cares about the future of its schools and students will provide benefits that will last long after the lights are turned off.