To celebrate Energy Awareness Month, Durham County Government and the City of Durham are sponsoring the first-ever Durham Energy Fair on Tuesday, October 21 to help provide information to employees and citizens about the many ways to reduce energy and save on energy bills. The event is scheduled from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Durham County Main Library, located at 300 N. Roxboro Street.

The event, featuring more than 20 exhibitors that will provide information on many topics from solar hot-water systems to electric cars to spray foam insulation, is free and open to the public. The Durham Energy Fair exhibitors include:

Advanced Vehicle Research Center Healthy Home Diagnostics

Allied Spray Foam Home Depot

Bleecker Electric Autos Insulating, Inc.

Bull City Biodiesel NC GreenPower

Clean Energy Durham

Self-Help Credit Union

Cimarron Homes Southern Energy Management

City of Durham Water Management

Sustainable Building Solutions

Duke Energy

Triangle Poly Steel

Durham Bike/Pedestrian Commission

Triangle Sealed Crawlspace

Earth Friendly Grass

Triangle Transit

"Considering the current economic turmoil and winter weather just around the corner, now is a great time to find ways to reduce energy bills and make your home more comfortable," said Tobin Freid, sustainability manager for the City and County of Durham. "The variety of technologies and strategies represented at this fair means that everyone will find at least one thing they can do to reduce energy use and save money."

Last year, Durham County Government and the City of Durham adopted the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Plan. Durham is the first community in North Carolina to adopt a plan to reduce climate change emissions. The Energy Fair is one of many plans established by Durham County Government and the City of Durham to educate employees and Durham citizens on ways to improve the environment. Durham Energy Fair attendees will not only learn about numerous ways to save energy and reduce energy bills at home; they will also have access to energy-saving tips for traveling and at work. Attendees will also receive information about the Energy Star tax holiday to take place on November 7-9 throughout North Carolina. Participants in the Energy Fair Scavenger Hunt will be eligible to win a $150 gift certificate to Angus Barn that is compliments of Allied Spray Foam, gift certificates to Home Depot, water conservation kits, and a Triangle Transit messenger bag.

For more information about the Energy Fair or the Durham Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Plan, contact Tobin Freid at 919-560-7999, via e-mail at tfreid@durhamcountync.gov, or visit www.durhamnc.gov/ghg.