[E-updates] Home Energy Conservation Fair to help Lawrencians save money whil e saving natural resources

[Lisa Patterson]

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                        

City of Lawrence, Kansas
 
Waste Reduction and Recycling Division
October 4, 2004

CONTACT: Michelle Crank, Recycling Specialist, 832-3030

 
Steve Hughes, Fair Coordinator 842-2292
 
Reid Nelson, Workshop Presenter, 842-3680
 

Home Energy Conservation Fair hosts variety of Innovative Workshops to help
Lawrencians save money while saving natural resources.

Reid Nelson, a lawyer originally from Johnson County, parted ways with city
driving a couple of years ago - that's when he bought his 'Ego' moped, which
is all electric.  With maximum speeds topping 20 miles per hour and an
approximate 20 mile range before re-charging is needed, it is his exclusive
transportation within Lawrence, except for during the deepest part of
winter.  After hooking up rooftop solar panels to power it, Reid also
considers it 'free' transportation.  "My choices," he said, "are usually
whether to take the bus for 50 cents, or take my moped for free.  The moped
wins out almost every time".  

Reid Nelson will be giving a workshop on setting up home solar stations to
power electric transport vehicles and appliances at Lawrence's 4th annual
Home Energy Conservation Fair and Sustainable Homes Tour.  The fair will
take place on Sunday, October 17th at the Douglas County Fairgrounds,
Building 21, from 10:00 am-4:00 pm.  

There is no end to the praise which Reid gives to electric transport:  He
said the vehicles provide zero emission, and are quiet, free transportation.
"Inside city limits, almost everything about them is superior to gasoline
vehicles", he said.  "When I'm driving one of these, I'm amazed at all the
people driving cars, which are noisy and smelly by comparison.  I have no
further use for gas stations", he quipped. 

"My friend, Bill Remmers, and I, liked the moped so much, we decided to take
it a step further.  We aimed to make a solar electric vehicle that we could
cover with a fairing to protect us from the bad weather.  That's when the
"e-ride" was born.  A 3-wheeler made from parts of two mountain bike frames
we welded together, it has survived maiden voyages wonderfully.  Currently,
we are constructing the canopy.

Finally, along these lines, Reid discovered a small, covered 3-wheel
delivery vehicle for sale from Scooter World in Johnson County.  He and
Remmers have converted it to electric power and are using, once again, the
solar panels. "Once we have the gearing kinks worked out", he said, "it
should take us all over town at around 35 mph".

Donning his bright green windbreaker for local excursions, Reid said he
feels perfectly safe on city roads.  "Some people balk at driving a small
electric vehicle out of concern for safety.  But bicycle fatalities are
very, very low (probably because of low speeds), and small electric vehicles
are probably even safer than bicycles because you can do more to increase
your visibility than a bicycle can.  Also at the slower speeds, you can stop
fast, and the visibility from an electric vehicle is actually better than
that from inside a car.  It's actually high speeds that kill people.  

Reid Nelson will be one several workshop presenters and speakers at the Home
Energy Fair including:
Workshops:
John Craft, Remodeler & Home Energy Rater: "Introduction to Energy"
Reid Nelson & friends, "Setting up Home Solar Power Stations for Vehicles
and Appliances"
Jane Koger, "Sustainable Building Ideas - Lessons Learned Living Off-Grid"
Michael Morley, "Building with Structural Insulated Panels"

Speaker Forum:
Russ Rudy, the "Energy Doctor"
Kansas Legislative Update, Jim Ploger of the Kansas Corporation Commission
Marge Padgitt, the "Chimney Lady" on alternative heating methods

Exhibitors, including area builders, architects, heating and cooling
experts, as well as alternatively fueled vehicle displays will be featured.
Workshops begin at 10:15 and a speaker forum will begin at noon.  Buses for
the Douglas County tour of sustainable homes will leave from the fairgrounds
at 10 am and 2 pm.  Homes and structures featured include a passive
solar/earthberm home; a playhouse constructed of "cob" (mixture of sand,
straw and clay soil, joined with straw-bale construction); a straw-bale art
studio with radiant floor heating; a home utilizing insulated concrete
forms; an elementary school described as "powered by sunlight"; and a
Tenants to Homeowners remodel project featuring affordable and simple
measures to create more energy efficient healthy spaces.

For more information visit www.LawrenceRecycles.org or call 832-3030.

_____________________________
Lisa K. Patterson
Communications Coordinator
City of Lawrence
PO Box 708
Lawrence, KS 66044
(785) 832-3406
fax (785) 832-3405
lpatterson at ci.lawrence.ks.us
http://www.lawrenceks.org