Maine
Public Utilities Commission and Governor’s Office of Energy Independence
NEWS
RELEASE
Maine Public Utilities Commission
242 State Street
Augusta, Maine 04333-0018
Website: http://www.maine.gov/mpuc/,
Email: maine.puc@maine.gov
CONTACT: Nicole Clegg, 207-287-8519, 207-310-0123 (cell) Nicole.Clegg@maine.gov
Beth
Nagusky, 207-287-4315, Beth.Nagusky@maine.gov
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 4, 2006
Change a Light, Change the World
PUC and Office of Energy Independence ask Mainers to change at least
one light bulb to help combat global warming
HALLOWELL, MAINE – At a press conference today, the
Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and Governor Baldacci’s Office of
Energy Independence and Security kicked off Change a Light, Change the World, a
challenge to Mainers to change at least one light bulb to a compact fluorescent
light (CFL) in their homes. Changing one light in every Maine home would keep more than 210 million
pounds of greenhouse gas emissions out of the air, the equivalent of taking
2,500 cars off the road.
“The simple act of changing the lights
in our homes and businesses can dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions
and help safeguard Maine’s
natural resources for generations to come,” remarked Kurt Adams, Chairman of
the PUC. “The light bulbs most of us use were patented more than one hundred
years ago in 1880 and they are inefficient dinosaurs. They waste energy and
money and are responsible for millions of tons of greenhouse gases in the
earth’s atmosphere. New energy efficiency lights are four times more efficient,
use 50 to 80 percent less energy and last up to ten times longer than a
traditional bulb. Changing an old light bulb to an energy star rated light bulb
saves money and our environment.”
“Climate change and global warming
are serious issues that will have a dramatic impact on our children’s lives and
the lives of our grandchildren,” stated Beth Nagusky, Governor Baldacci’s
Director of Energy Independence. “Greenhouse gas emissions resulting from Maine’s energy
consumption have increased more than ten percent in the past ten years. Large scale
solutions are necessary such as switching to cleaner energy sources, but there
are also dozens of things each one of us can do, right now, to start making a
difference. Changing at least one light bulb is a powerful first step.”
Last year, the Commission’s
Efficiency Maine Residential Lighting Program helped place half a million CFLs
in homes saving 24,500,000 kWh – enough electricity for 4,000 homes – removing
14,700 tons of CO2
from the air, the same as taking 2,600 cars off the road. In addition, the Efficiency Maine
High Performance
School program worked with the Hallowell School District
to ensure that the new construction for the Hall-Dale Elementary School
was energy efficient. Hall-Dale Elementary is projected to save $28,384 in
energy costs and keep 2,565 tons of greenhouse gas emissions out of the air.
Efficiency Maine,
a program administered by the Maine Public Utilities Commission, is a statewide
effort to promote more efficient use of electricity, help Maine residents reduce electricity costs and
protect the environment. Coupons from Efficiency
Maine for the purchase of CFLs are available at local hardware stores. More
information about Efficiency Maine, how to save on electricity and where to
purchase ENERGY STAR rated bulbs is available at www.efficiencymaine.com or
call 1-866-376-2463.
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The
Public Utilities Commission is committed to ensuring that consumers have access
to safe and reliable service for public utilities and that the rates for these
utilities are just and reasonable. PUC programs include Maine Enhanced 911
Service, Dig Safe, and Efficiency Maine.
To arrange an
interview with Chairman Adams or Commissioner Reishus, please contact Nicole
Clegg at 207.287.8519 or by e-mail at nicole.clegg@maine.gov. The Commission’s website, http://www.state.me.us/mpuc/index.html,
may be accessed through the Maine School and Library Network at all public libraries in
Maine.