‘Windfall’ kicks off Rock Valley’s Environmental Film Series Feb. 1

Online Staff Report

Rock Valley College (RVC) will launch an Environmental Film Series at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 1, with the documentary Windfall.

A synopsis on the film’s website, http://windfallthemovie.com, describes Windfall as follows: “Wind power … it’s sustainable … it burns no fossil fuels … it produces no air pollution. What’s more, it cuts down dependency on foreign oil. That’s what the people of Meredith, in upstate New York first thought when a wind developer looked to supplement the rural farm town’s failing economy with a farm of their own — that of 40 industrial wind turbines.

“Windfall, a beautifully photographed feature-length film, documents how this proposal divides Meredith’s residents as they fight over the future of their community,” the synopsis continues. “Attracted at first to the financial incentives that would seemingly boost their dying economy, a group of townspeople grow increasingly alarmed as they discover the impacts that the 400-foot high windmills slated for Meredith could bring to their community as well as the potential for financial scams.

“With wind development in the United States growing annually at 39 percent, Windfall is an eye-opener that should be required viewing for anyone concerned about the environment and the future of renewable energy.”

The rest of the schedule for the film series is as follows:

Wednesday, March 7 — Trapped

Wednesday, April 4 — Queen of the Sun

Wednesday, May 2 — Gasland

All films will be shown in the RVC Student Center Atrium on the RVC main campus, 3301 N. Mulford Road. Cost is $1 per film and films are open to students, staff and the community.

RVC faculty and special guests will lead an open discussion following each film presentation.

For advanced registration, call RVC Community Education at (815) 921-3900. For complete descriptions of the films, visit www.rockvalleycollege.edu/efs.