News Release July 20th 2004

For Further Information Contact:
John Wilson
Telephone:  (519) 942-3266
Email:   john.wilson@naturallifenetwork.com 

BLACKOUT!

One Year Later – Has Anything Changed?

Generating clean renewable energy is already possible right here in Ontario. The technology and policies are now in place. Programs like Hydro One’s “Net Metering” initiative, government rebates for solar panels, EnerGuide for home efficiency upgrades are just a few examples. Now anyone can generate their own clean green renewable power and help prevent another blackout. And it isn’t as costly or as complex as you might think. Find out how on Saturday August 28^th, at the third annual SunFest, where John Wilson and his family will give guided tours of their award-winning sustainable home.

“People want to prevent another blackout. The difficulty is knowing what to do, how to do it, and how much it costs. Lots of myths and old information make it hard to figure out what can and can’t be done.” says John Wilson. “That’s why we started SunFest. People have to be able to come and see things, ask questions and get hands-on with how it all works. When people see our electricity meter running backwards, it suddenly clicks.”

Last year, in the aftermath of the Blackout, more than 1,800 people flocked to SunFest eager to learn how they could actually do something to prevent this kind of disaster in the future. John Wilson demonstrated how anyone can start by putting solar panels on their roof to generate electricity that feeds into the grid – for as little as $5,000. If we all do our part by reducing our energy consumption and generating some of our own power we can prevent future blackouts.

John and his family don’t live in a “demonstration” eco-home that nobody could afford. Instead, using some simple building techniques that anybody can learn, John and his family are comfortable all year round, despite having no furnace. How do they do it? By being efficient, using passive solar design, straw bale walls, a green roof, solar panels, and a wind turbine. Anybody can transform their home, urban or rural, into a renewable energy powerhouse.

John will conduct tours of his home, located about an hour north of Toronto, between 12 noon and 5pm on Saturday August 28^th, 2004. An additional highlight this year will be the remarkable new Motor Trend Car of the Year, Toyota Prius Hybrid, which John will demonstrate. Much like the Wilson Natural Home this car shows how we all can start to reduce pollution by as much as 90% while saving money on gas.

The winds of change are in the air. Here is your chance to see how you can prevent blackouts, reduce pollution and save money. For more information see www.NaturalLifeNetwork.com .

Media interested in a tour, interview, or further information before or during the SunFest should contact John Wilson at 519-942-3266 or visit the web site at http://www.NaturalLifeNetwork.com/SunFest2004/ .