Rising Sun Energy Center Awarded Only EPA Environmental Education Grant in Region 9

BERKELEY, CA, May 31, 2013

Rising Sun Energy Center (Rising Sun) was recently awarded the "Environmental Education Regional Grant" by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This year was the first, and unfortunately last, year that this funding was made available. Rising Sun was chosen as the single recipient out of the entire Region 9 (Pacific Southwest), which encompasses Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada the Pacific Islands and 148 Tribal Nations. Rising Sun was chosen out of seventy other applicants from Region 9 and received $216,000 to fund environmental education programs for two years.

The purpose of the Environmental Education (EE) Regional Grant Program is to increase public awareness and knowledge about environmental issues and promote environmental stewardship by providing skills to help participants make informed environmental decisions and take responsible actions. This marks the first time that Rising Sun has received major support from the EPA, and funds will be used to implement the California Youth Energy Services (CYES) program and continue efforts to expand CYES services.

Currently, CYES provides free energy efficiency and water conservation assessments and installations to residents in ten cities across the San Francisco Bay Area. These services are provided by youth hired out of the local communities they serve. These young adults receive professional training and experience in the energy efficiency (or green) sector and are able to share education and resources for further sustainable practices with their own community members.

The EPA grant will allow Rising Sun to expand the size of the CYES program to reach even more cities, youth and residents, helping communities to meet their climate action goals. Some program objectives include providing additional energy and water saving hardware to residents and providing long-term support for career and educational growth for youth.

Rising Sun looks forward to reporting on the successful outcomes of this grant and to a continued flourishing partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency.

Rising Sun's mission is to empower individuals to achieve environmental and economic sustainability for themselves and their communities. For more information about Rising Sun Energy Center, visit http://www.risingsunenergy.org.

For more information about the United State Environmental Protection Agency, visit http://www.epa.gov.

Rising Sun Energy Center is 501(c)3 non-profit that specializes in workforce development and energy retrofit services. For further information, please contact us at (510) 665-1501 x16 or visit http://www.risingsunenergy.org