12-64CWS | September 19, 2012
BILOXI, Miss. – The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) will be holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 26 at 10 a.m. at Lynn Meadows Discovery Center, 246 Dolan Avenue, Gulfport, to unveil one of three clean energy demonstration projects on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The Powering Renewal project, funded through a Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP) grant, aims to raise awareness about everyday energy efficiency opportunities for residents, businesses and communities.
The clean energy demonstration project at Lynn Meadows Discovery Center are solar panels incorporated into larger-than-life steel-framed sunflowers. The other two projects are located at MDMR’s Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (rooftop solar panels) in eastern Jackson County and at The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (solar LED lighting) in Ocean Springs. All demonstration projects are designed to provide examples of clean energy technology in public places. The projects also provide real-time data on energy production and savings, which is displayed on monitors at Lynn Meadows Discovery Center and the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.
“Through the Powering Renewal project, we not only hope to demonstrate the applicability of clean energy, but also want to educate and encourage everyone to think about ways to improve their energy use at home and at work,” said MDMR Office of Coastal Management and Planning Director Tina Shumate.
“What an honor to be partnering with the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources on the solar sunflower project,” said Cindy DeFrances, Executive Director at Lynn Meadows Discovery Center. “We are looking forward to sharing this energy educational opportunity with our many members and visitors.”
The Powering Renewal project is funded with qualified outer continental shelf oil and gas revenues by the Coastal Impact Assistance Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Department of the Interior through a grant award to the MDMR.
The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources is dedicated to enhancing, protecting and conserving marine interests of the state by managing all marine life, public trust wetlands, adjacent uplands and waterfront areas to provide for the optimal commercial, recreational, educational and economic uses of these resources consistent with environmental concerns and social changes. Visit the DMR online at www.dmr.ms.gov.
Contact: Susan Perkins
Phone: 228-523-4124
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