2008 Woodie Awards
Focus the Nation holds teach-in
Stephanie De Sousa
Issue date: 2/6/08 Section: News
Focus the Nation at UCF, an organization devoted to global-warming solutions, promoted climate change with a teach-in Thursday.
At the event, Orange County Mayor Richard Crotty unveiled a new solar energy system at the Orange County Convention Center.
"This is the largest campus teach-in on global warming in campus history," said Crotty, a UCF alumnus. "It's great to see so many students here getting involved."
The Orlando Utility Commission and the OCCC will be implementing a photovoltaic energy system, or solar power, which will help to improve energy efficiency, Crotty said.
"The solar photovoltaic system is also protecting us from inflation," he said. "Why? Because there is no fuel charge."
Crotty said the system will be able to produce one megawatt of energy, which is enough to power about 100 homes.
"Because of its size and growth, Florida ranks third nationally in energy consumption," said Vivian Garfein, director of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Garfein added, "This photovoltaic system will not only be the largest in Florida, it's the largest in the southeastern United States. We are in the heart of the Sunshine State. It makes perfect sense for us to take advantage of Florida's most viable trade: the sun, the rays."
Crotty said that the new energy system is low-maintenance and highly reliable. By switching, Orange County will reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, as well.
"To see this happening here in our own hometown,, led by our mayor, Rich Crotty, it's just absolutely wonderful," UCF alumnus Sen. Lee Constantine said. "I am just so happy and pleased to be in the forefront of this movement that will change our economy for the future and make it better for both the environment and the economic development and certainly for our entire safety of our planet."
Tom Kimbus from the U.S. Department of Energy said that society has changed its way of thinking about energy.
At the event, Orange County Mayor Richard Crotty unveiled a new solar energy system at the Orange County Convention Center.
"This is the largest campus teach-in on global warming in campus history," said Crotty, a UCF alumnus. "It's great to see so many students here getting involved."
The Orlando Utility Commission and the OCCC will be implementing a photovoltaic energy system, or solar power, which will help to improve energy efficiency, Crotty said.
"The solar photovoltaic system is also protecting us from inflation," he said. "Why? Because there is no fuel charge."
Crotty said the system will be able to produce one megawatt of energy, which is enough to power about 100 homes.
"Because of its size and growth, Florida ranks third nationally in energy consumption," said Vivian Garfein, director of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Garfein added, "This photovoltaic system will not only be the largest in Florida, it's the largest in the southeastern United States. We are in the heart of the Sunshine State. It makes perfect sense for us to take advantage of Florida's most viable trade: the sun, the rays."
Crotty said that the new energy system is low-maintenance and highly reliable. By switching, Orange County will reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, as well.
"To see this happening here in our own hometown,, led by our mayor, Rich Crotty, it's just absolutely wonderful," UCF alumnus Sen. Lee Constantine said. "I am just so happy and pleased to be in the forefront of this movement that will change our economy for the future and make it better for both the environment and the economic development and certainly for our entire safety of our planet."
Tom Kimbus from the U.S. Department of Energy said that society has changed its way of thinking about energy.