Tlingit-Haida Regional Housing Authority (THRHA) announced its upcoming Southeast Community Energy Fairs.

The first fair is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 22, from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Juneau Tlingit & Haida Community Center, 3235 Hospital Drive. Energy Fairs are planned for Prince of Wales, Saxman, Kake, Hoonah, Yakutat, Angoon and Wrangell.

“Community Energy Fairs are just one of the activities under the THRHA Energy Cents Program,” said Tasha McKoy, Energy Cents Coordinator. “Increasing Energy awareness in Southeast is critical, especially with the high cost of fuel and utilities, with some communities paying five-times more than others.

Home assessments are vital to increasing energy awareness and supporting communities with their current energy demands. This week, 28 home assessors are here in Juneau undergoing rigorous training in preparation for the 400 homes visits in 14 Southeast communities. THRHA partnered with the University of Alaska Southeast Professor Marquam George to conduct energy efficiency training and offer energy alternatives.”

THRHA Energy Cents program has partnered with Alaska Energy Authority, Alaska Center for Energy and Power, Alaska Electric Light & Power, Renewable Energy Alaska Project, and Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium to present and sponsor booth at the fairs. In addition, there will be kid-friendly activities, door prizes, silent auction featuring local artists, artist booths, food vendors, Native dancers, and free lunches for the first 25 Elders.

The THRHA Energy Cents Program is funded by a grant from the United States Department of Energy’s Tribal Energy Program and an energy conservation awareness grant from Alaska Energy Authority.

THRHA is also hosting an Energy Efficiency Calendar Contest for K-12 students throughout Southeast. Office Max donated two ASUS Nexus 7 Tablets for grand prizes. One will be given to the student that best illustrates the importance of energy efficiency and conservation, and the other will be given to a class with the most participation. Additionally, THRHA will select 12 of the posters for its 2013 Calendar.

The Community Energy Fairs are sponsored in part by First Bank, Alaska Housing Finance Corp., Office Max, and many more local businesses and donors.

For more information about the THRHA Energy Cents Program, contact McKoy at 780-6868, or visit www.thrha.org. More information can also be found on www.facebook.com/energycents.

THRHA is the largest provider and developer of affordable housing in Southeast Alaska. With annual revenues of more than $21 million, net assets of over $62 million located in 14 communities, and oversight of more than 800 units, THRHA serves close to 2,000 residents, both Native and non-Native, each year.

THRHA is a licensed general contractor conducting its own construction, is a certified Community Development Financial Institution, provides direct mortgage financing and loan servicing, is the region’s largest developer of Low Income Housing Tax Credit properties, and will provide weatherization and energy improvements to more than 600 homes in the coming years. THRHA also manages the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program.