Award-winning filmmaker and environmentalist, Jeff Barrie, will present the world premiere of his documentary “Kilowatt Ours: A Plan to Re-Energize America,” on Thursday, October 25 at 6:00 PM, 8:15 PM and 10:00 PM at the historic Belcourt Theatre in Nashville, Tenn.

Barrie will be on hand to lead discussions about the film and energy efficiency efforts in Nashville after each screening. Reception begins at 5:30 PM with refreshments provided by Wild Oats Market. All proceeds from the evening will support energy conservation efforts in Tennessee.

Tickets may be purchased for $10 at the Belcourt Theatre box office or online at http://tickets.belcourt.org/. For more information on the project please visit http://www.kilowattours.org/.

"A compelling and inspiring portrait," says Ross Gelbspan, author of "The Heat Is On" and "Boiling Point," about "Kilowatt Ours." A Nashville resident, Barrie is an advocate of improving quality of life by conserving natural resources. In the film, Barrie traces the wires from our light switches to the power source, revealing how electricity is generated in the United States. This acclaimed documentary provides a hopeful look at how energy conservation and renewable power can help to improve the quality of life in America and provides practical solutions that are accessible to everyone. For example, a compact fluorescent light bulb uses 20% of the electricity a 100-watt incandescent bulb uses and it lasts years longer. If just one room in every American home was lit by these bulbs, it would be like removing one trillion pounds of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.

Because of the demand for the original southeast edition of “Kilowatt Ours,” Barrie has re-edited the film to paint a national picture of electricity consumption. The new version includes revised statistics, interviews and graphics to convey the significance of energy use in America. This world premiere screening will precede the April 2008 national broadcast of the film on public television stations.

About Jeff Barrie:
A graduate of UCLA, Barrie combines his passion for the environment with filmmaking, and has produced over 20 documentaries, including the award winning films "Generation Earth: A Look at Environmental Education" (1995) and "Arctic Quest: Our Search for Truth" (1999). Barrie’s films have been screened at festivals such as the Freedom Cinema Festival of Park City, Utah; Artivist Film Festival of Los Angeles; Wine Country Film Festival of Napa Valley, California, and he is a two time winner of the Hometown USA Video Festival.

As a Nashville resident, Barrie founded the Alaska Coalition of Tennessee and Citizens for TDOT Reform, both are statewide coalitions of community groups. Barrie also worked for the Tennessee chapter of the Sierra Club to coordinate a TDOT accountability project and was appointed to TDOT’s Long Range Transportation Plan Statewide Steering Committee.

In 2001, Barrie received the Mack S. Prichard Conservation Award from the Sierra Club for his grassroots efforts. In 2007, he was named Conservation Educator of the Year by the Tennessee Wildlife Federation, and received the Tennessee Arts Fellowship, a lifetime achievement award from the Tennessee Arts Commission. Barrie continues to advocate for the environment locally by serving as a board member of Trust for the Future and Project Director of "Kilowatt Ours."

Q & A with “Kilowatt Ours” filmmaker Jeff Barrie

Q: What is the purpose of this film?
A: I made “Kilowatt Ours” to see for myself where our electricity comes from, what the consequences are and what simple things myself, and all Americans can do to help protect our environment. I want to share “Kilowatt Ours” with as many people as possible, because the consequences of how we generate electricity are severe and there are simple solutions are available to everyone.

Q: There are a lot of new films about energy and environmental issues, what makes “Kilowatt Ours” different?
A: We all know there is a problem. “Kilowatt Ours” shows how we can fix it.

Q: What impact do you hope “Kilowatt Ours” will have on viewers?
A: After watching “Kilowatt Ours,” I hope folks know exactly what they can do to save energy, help protect the environment and have the motivation to get started right away. I want to help show all Americans how to reduce their energy usage by taking advantage of energy efficiency, conservation and green power.

Q: How did your interest in electricity begin?
A: Growing up California during the energy crisis of the 1970s, energy conservation was a way of life and this ethic has been with me ever since. When Nashville became my home in 2000 I was surprised at the degree of air pollution and the destructive coal mining practices in neighboring Kentucky and West Virginia. Making a film about electricity was a perfect match for my interests in these issues.

Q: What can people do to save energy?
A: First, sign up for the free monthly energy saving tips at www.kilowattours.org, then change light bulbs, improve insulation in your homes, seal up leaking ductwork and other holes in your buildings, buy Energy Star rated appliances, turn off and unplug any electronics that are not being used and sign up for green power from your electric utility.

Facts and Stats from “Kilowatt Ours”

Efficiency:
• The average home can reduce electricity usage 25% to 50% through simple and affordable efficiency and conservation measures.
• If compact fluorescent lighting lit just one room in every home in America, it would be like removing one trillion pounds of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.
• The Sullivan County School System in Tennessee upgraded the energy efficiency of all its 32 schools, using no tax dollars, and now saves over $1 million a year. All upgrades are being paid for with energy savings.
• Kentucky replaced all traffic signals statewide with LED bulbs and now saves over $3 million a year on energy and maintenance costs.

Green Power:
• Less than one-tenth of 1% of America’s energy comes from green power sources.
• Half the power needs of a city could be met if all the flat rooftop space were covered with solar collectors.
• Recycling one aluminum can save enough energy to power a television for three hours.

Coal Generated Electricity:
• 50% of America’s electricity is generated from coal. In the Southeast the average is 61%.
• In the Southeast, one pound of coal can run:
o 10 incandescent light bulbs for one hour
o Air-conditioner for 30 minutes
o Water heater for 15 minutes
• The average home in the Southeast burns approximately 12,000 pounds of coal per year.
• America burns more than 1.1 billion tons of coal every year, enough to fill a coal train from coast to coast and back, then around the world three times.

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For more information:
Kaleidoscope Media
(615) 321-3211
Angie Gore (angie@kaleidoscope-media.com)
Kristie Sheppard (kristie@kaleidoscope-media.com)