News Release
For more information contact: Jesse Borjon, (785) 271-3269
September 2, 2014
Kansas Corporation Commission Announces Energy Expo Initiative for 2014 Kansas State Fair
Topeka, KS - At 11 a.m. on Friday, September 5, 2014, in conjunction with the opening of the 2014 Kansas State Fair, the Kansas Corporation Commission along with 22 stakeholder groups will open the first-ever Kansas Energy Expo.
"Kansas is fortunate to have an abundance of energy resources," stated Commission Chair Shari Feist Albrecht. "Our Commission is pleased to partner with the Kansas State Fair and our stakeholder groups to provide the Kansas Energy Expo, a hands-on educational opportunity for school-aged children and adults to learn about the value of Kansas' energy resources and its importance to our daily lives and the Kansas economy."
"We are excited to add the Kansas Energy Expo as a new venue for fairgoers," said Denny Stoecklein, Director, Kansas State Fair. "The Kansas Energy Expo is part of Kansas' Largest Classroom program and is available to educators across the state as well as something all fairgoers will find interesting. This is a wonderful addition to the State Fair and we encourage folks to visit."
"The Kansas Association of Ethanol Processors is delighted to join the Kansas Corporation Commission to offer this one of a kind educational experience," said Tom Tunnell, President, Kansas Association of Ethanol Processors. "We are thrilled to be a part of what is truly a special offering for fairgoers."
The Kansas Energy Expo will occupy nearly 14,000 square feet in the Ad Astra Pavilion. The Expo will be organized into five sectors: Transportation, Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, Utilities, and Oil and Gas. Each sector will offer interactive experiences including:
- American Ethanol Show Car
- Energy Efficiency House
- Model Wind Turbine
- Decoding Your Utility Bill Display
- Well Construction Display
Altogether, there will be a total of more than 30 interactive displays that make up the Kansas Energy Expo.
The Kansas Energy Expo is part of the Kansas' Largest Classroom program offered through the Kansas State Fair. As part of the program, teachers can sign their class up to make wind turbine blades, a solar water pump project, and participate in safety education sessions. Teachers are encouraged to sign-up prior to visiting the Kansas Energy Expo, but it is not required. To sign-up please visit http://kcc.ks.gov/energyexpo/ or call 1-800-662-0027.
The Kansas Energy Expo will also focus on available jobs in the Energy sector. KansasWorks with the Kansas Department of Commerce will have a booth space at the Expo with information on available job openings in the energy sector.
The Kansas Energy Expo will offer free cell phone charging stations throughout the fairgrounds. The charging stations are powered by solar panels or by pedaling a bike to generate power that is stored in a battery and used when a charge is needed.
Presentations will also be offered at various times throughout the fair on energy related topics. A complete schedule of presentations is available by visiting http://kcc.ks.gov/energyexpo/.
Fairgoers can participate in a scavenger hunt and learn about the various energy efficiency improvements on the fairgrounds made possible through energy grants. Participants will visit five stops to complete a phrase and upon completion receive a hand-crank flashlight.
The Kansas Energy Expo is made possible through a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.