The Department of Environmental Protection will display its interactive “DEP at Home” exhibit during the 98th Pennsylvania Farm Show in the Main Hall of the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg from January 4 to 11.

DEP at Home is an interactive, educational home structure that features practices and products promoting energy efficiency and sustainable building materials, as well as environmentally-friendly and Pennsylvania-produced products for the home.

“This year, our exhibit has a renewed focus on alternative fuels.” DEP Secretary Chris Abruzzo said. “I encourage all farm show visitors to stop by and learn how to plug in an electric vehicle, or fuel a truck that runs on compressed natural gas.”

The exhibit, which made its debut at the 2012 Farm Show, now features a garage to showcase vehicles that run on alternative fuels.

There are useable pumps and receptacles for compressed natural gas and electric vehicles (EV) so visitors can experience fueling an alternative fuel vehicle (AFV). The garage also boasts flooring made from recycled tires, information about proper disposal of household hazardous waste, as well as landscaping with native plants and tips on proper pest management.

DEP has partnered with Nissan North America to bring a Nissan Leaf all-electric vehicle to their Farm Show exhibit. The Leaf was manufactured at the Nissan plant in Tennessee and will sit in the “driveway” of DEP’s exhibit. Farm Show visitors will be able to use the EV charger to “power” the vehicle and sit at the wheel to envision driving this innovative car.

Residents that are interested in purchasing an AFV, like the Nissan Leaf, can take advantage of DEP’s AFV Rebate Program, which provides rebates to PA residents that purchase certain types of alternative fuel vehicles.

“Because of the popularity and success of this rebate program, we have decided to infuse an additional one million dollars into the rebate fund so that more Pennsylvanians are able to purchase these vehicles,” Abruzzo said.

Returning to the DEP at Home exhibit this year are the popular kitchen with recycled glad countertop and a working radon mitigation unit.

Radon Action Month

January is Radon Action Month and is a good time to consider testing the home or workplace. On January 5, staff from DEP’s Bureau of Radiation Protection will be available at the exhibit from noon to 4 p.m. to answer visitors’ radon questions.

Farm Show Hours

The Pennsylvania Farm Show runs January 4 to 10 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and January 11 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free and parking is $10. The Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center is easily accessed from nearby Interstate 81.

DEP created the exhibit through funds provided by the U.S. Department of Energy’s State Energy Program.

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