On Wednesday, April 22, at 8:00 AM, the YWCA of Asheville will celebrate Earth Day by dedicating 30 new solar panels. The public is invited to attend this event at the YWCA, 185 S. French Broad Avenue. The recently installed panels supply more than 80% of the YWCA’s hot water needs, including the pool, kitchen, laundry, and showers.
In addition to the Earth Day event, the YWCA is offering two specials to celebrate the fact that the YWCA is the area’s first “green gym”! Anyone who joins Club W: The YWCA Health & Fitness Center between April 20 and April 26 will get one month free (with a year contract). New participants who sign up for the April 27 session of YWCA Swim Lessons will get one lesson free.
The YWCA of Asheville is the first community center in Buncombe County to install a solar thermal system. At a time when we all are feeling the rising costs of fuel and gas, the YWCA is taking this important step towards energy independence.
More importantly, the YWCA is committed to being a good steward of our natural resources. This solar energy system will prevent the release of 18 tons of carbon pollution per year. It will have the equivalent air quality benefit of taking seven cars off the highway or planting 4200 trees. The YWCA will be a visible example to the thousands of children and families who we serve annually about the opportunity to use clean, renewable energy.
The YWCA Solar Project is in memory of Ske Bonsike, a wonderful teacher and example of conservation. The lead gift for the project was given by the William and Frances Beattie Foundation. The lead corporate gift was from Progress Energy.
Happy Earth Day!
1 comment:
There could be no better investment in America than to invest in America becoming energy independent! We need to utilize everything in out power to reduce our dependence on foreign oil including using our own natural resources. Create cheap clean energy, new badly needed green jobs and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.The high cost of fuel this past year seriously damaged our economy and society. The cost of fuel effects every facet of consumer goods from production to shipping costs. It costs the equivalent of 60 cents per gallon to charge and drive an electric car. If all gasoline cars, trucks, and SUV's instead had plug-in electric drive trains the amount of electricity needed to replace gasoline is about equal to the estimated wind energy potential of the state of North Dakota.We have so much available to us such as wind and solar. Let's spend some of those bail out billions and get busy harnessing this energy. Create cheap clean energy, badly needed new jobs and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. What a win-win situation that would be for our nation at large! There is a really good new book out by Jeff Wilson called The Manhattan Project of 2009 Energy Independence Now. http://www.themanhattanprojectof2009.com
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