The Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival is one of the largest music festivals in the United States, and has gained a reputation as a premiere, grassroots event in the nationwide outdoor music scene.  Festival organizers Brett Mosiman and Jami Sweeney decided to green the Festival’s energy consumption as a statement of their commitment to a non-polluting, sustainable energy future for the U.S.  According to Sweeney, assistant director of the Festival, the organizers see the Festival as an ideal setting to encourage thinking about living a sustainable life.  By purchasing Green Tags, which represent the real savings in carbon dioxide and other pollutants that occur when green, renewable energy replaces electricity produced by burning fossil fuel, the Wakarusa Festival will offset more than 63,000 lbs. of greenhouse gasses (primarily measured as carbon dioxide).  Wakarusa’s purchase of Green Tags directly supports the establishment and support of new renewable energy resources. 

With an estimated 15,000 attendees per day from all 50 states and international attendees from across the globe, the 2006 Festival has a significant opportunity to promote renewable, non-polluting energy.  According to Festival Director Mosiman, “Promoting renewable energy, such as wind and low-impact hydro power, helps us fulfill our mission of preserving the environment and raising awareness about environmental causes.”  Wind and hydropower are affordable and inexhaustible energy sources that do not cause pollution, generate waste, or deplete natural resources.  Today, more than 90 percent of U.S. energy comes from fossil fuels and nuclear power.  Wind energy is a significant and relatively untapped power resource for the U.S., which has some of the highest wind energy potential in the world.  Wind power has the ability to meet as much as 40 percent of the country’s electricity needs.

Because traveling has its own set of environmental implications, Wakarusa is also offering individuals the option of “greening” their travel to and from Lawrence.  Attendees can purchase Green Tags to offset the energy used to travel to the show.  BEF established three levels at which people may green their travel to the event, those traveling from “near” (310 miles or less), those traveling “far” (between 310 and 960- miles), and a third option for those traveling by air.  Each purchase will offset the corresponding amount of carbon dioxide that is put into the atmosphere per person during a vehicle or plane trip.

“The ultimate goal would be to have a 100 percent emissions-free festival.  Wakarusa has done its part by greening the energy consumption at the Festival.  We hope that festival-goers will do their part by buying Green Tags to offset the environmental impacts of their travel,” said Sweeney.

What Are Green Tags?

Designed as a trading mechanism for power markets to recognize the environmental attributes of power, Green Tags allow people to reward renewable energy developers by paying a premium for the environmental attributes of their power.  Buying Zephyr Energy Green Tags encourages the growth of renewable power generation in Kansas and the surrounding region.

About the Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival

The Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival is a 4-day foot-stomping party in the heart of the Midwest.  Born in 2004, Wakarusa burst onto the scene with a diverse and eclectic lineup featuring over 70 artists.  The 2004 bill perked the interest of both devout and casual music fans alike.  Fans that made the trip to Wakarusa left with unforgettable stories of the music and the beautiful surroundings of Clinton Lake and the Lawrence area.  In 2005, Wakarusa returned and quickly established itself as a premiere, grassroots event in the nationwide outdoor music scene.  Attracting folks from all 50 U.S. states and 5 countries, the 2005 event featured over 80 artists, 5 stages and over 4 days of non-stop music and entertainment.  The Festival has grown to include 150 musical acts on six stages this year.

About Bonneville Environmental Foundation

The Bonneville Environmental Foundation, a non-profit organization, was established in 1998 to restore watershed ecosystems and further the development and use of new renewable energy resources.  Through revenues generated from the sale of green power products, BEF funds projects that restore damaged watersheds and support new renewable energy projects from solar, wind and biomass.  BEF pioneered the sale of Green Tags in 2000 and has helped establish national standards for certification and trading.  More information is available on the web at  www.b-e-f.org.

About The Bowersock Mills and Power Company

The Bowersock Mills and Power Company was established in 1874, and is the oldest power producer in Northeast Kansas.  The company first provided mechanical hydro power to the City of Lawrence in 1874, and has provided a continuous supply of clean renewable enrgy for the growth of the city for over 100 years.  The Bowersock Dam is certified as a “low-impact” facility by the Low Impact Hydropower Institute (http://www.lowimpacthydro.org) and qualifies as a “re-powered” facility according to the national Green-e standard.  More information is available on the web at www.bowersockpower.com.

About Zephyr Energy™