With oil prices continuing to rise to unprecedented levels, Penn State Public Broadcasting, WPSX-TV, broadcasts its production of "Pennsylvania Energy" at 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 6, and Wednesday, April 13. "Pennsylvania Energy" examines renewable energy sources including biomass, bio-diesel, landfill gas, wind energy and solar energy.
The half-hour program details the economic impact of renewable energy on individual households through lowered heating and energy bills; the state with job creation and tax breaks; and the nation through reduced reliance on foreign fuels and cleaner air. The production is funded by a grant from West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund (WPPSEF), which is administered by the Energy Institute at Penn State.
Sustainable energy is defined as being any energy source that is completely reusable, long lasting and environmentally sound. Renewable energy includes energy produced from solar, wind, low-impact hydro, and sustainable biomass such as closed-loop biomass and biomass gasification. Clean energy refers to advanced technologies, such as fuel cells, which use fossil fuels but which have significantly lower emissions and wastes than currently commercialized technologies and fuels that are derived from waste.
"The program explores, in several sections, wind power, solar energy and energy savings in the home, including efficient heating and cooling," said Joe Myers, producer/director. "It also examines economic renewal in the commonwealth and how sustainable energy can be an economic advantage that helps to create jobs."
As part of Earth Week celebrations, other public stations in Pennsylvania will air the WPSX-TV documentary. WLVT (Lehigh Valley) broadcasts "Pennsylvania Energy" at 3 p.m. April 17; WQLN (Erie) at 9 p.m. April 21; and WQED (Pittsburgh) at 5:30 p.m. April 24. WPSX-TV encores the program during Earth Week at 6 p.m. April 24.
The West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund is a nonprofit corporation that invests in the development of sustainable energy technologies in the 23-county West Penn Power market region. Its mission is to promote the use of renewable energy and clean energy among commercial, industrial, institutional and residential customers in the West Penn market region. WPPSEF also works to promote energy conservation and energy efficiency among commercial, industrial, institutional and residential customers in the West Penn market region and to promote the start-up, attraction, expansion and retention of sustainable energy businesses in the West Penn market region.
Penn State Public Broadcasting's Media Solutions department, which produced the program, provides multi-media production including Web development, video production, DVD/CD design and program production. For more information about Penn State Public Broadcasting Media Solutions visit http://www.pspb.org