Deliver Your News to the World

PSE&G Distributes 100,000 Energy Efficient Light Bulbs


WEBWIRE

“Switch and Save” helps customers save energy and money

Supports utility climate change initiatives

To encourage its customers to take concrete steps to conserve energy and fight climate change, PSE&G announced today that it will begin distributing 100,000 energy efficient light bulbs throughout its service territory.

Under the utility’s “Switch and Save” campaign unveiled during a news conference in Newark, customers who visit PSE&G’s 16 Customer Service Centers to meet with a service representative will be given an ENERGY STAR certified compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL). The bulbs will also be distributed by PSE&G’s appliance service technicians when they make a service call, as well as electric delivery employees who interact with customers on a daily basis.

“While climate change is a global problem, there are steps that each of us can take to make a difference for the environment,” said Ralph Izzo, chairman and CEO of PSEG, the parent company of PSE&G. “Small steps do add up. We hope the distribution of 100,000 energy-saving light bulbs will boost energy conservation in New Jersey. And we believe that utilities like PSE&G need to be centrally involved for conservation to gain traction.”

Izzo explained that, with normal use, the 100,000 bulbs from PSE&G will result in a reduction of 40,000 tons of carbon dioxide during the life of the bulbs, which is equal to taking 9,000 cars off the road for one year.

In addition to the CFL bulb, customers will receive an information sheet, in both English and Spanish, that highlights the company’s environmental commitment, explains that CFLs use 75 percent less energy than standard lighting, last up to 10 times longer than standard bulbs, and save an average of $30 or more in energy costs during the life of the bulb. The flyer also directs customers to information on the proper way to dispose of old or broken bulbs.

PSE&G’s “Switch and Save” program is the latest initiative announced by New Jersey’s largest utility to help the state achieve its aggressive energy conservation and renewable energy goals. The company has already begun to reduce carbon emissions by replacing 1,300 company vehicles with hybrids, and by installing more energy efficient electric delivery equipment such as transformers and electric wires. PSE&G also filed a proposal with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to invest more than $100 million during the next two years to help finance the installation of solar systems on homes, business and municipal buildings. That filing is under review by the BPU.

When all these measures, including the use of the light bulbs, are implemented, they would account for a reduction of about 400,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions during the next decade.

“PSE&G supports the state’s Energy Master Plan process and is committed to improving energy efficiency,” Izzo said. “As New Jersey’s largest utility and a universal service provider, we are eager to deploy our experience, customer relationships and skilled, dedicated workforce to develop and implement efficiency programs involving millions of customers.”

U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), a strong advocate for a national cap-and-trade system to reduce carbon emissions, supported PSE&G’s efforts to help customers use energy more wisely. “Initiatives like this benefit both consumers and the environment,” Lautenberg said. “By promoting smart measures to increase the energy efficiency of our homes, we lower our utility bills and produce fewer of the greenhouse gases that cause global warming.”

Equipped with the light bulbs, customers are also encouraged to participate in the ENERGY STAR “Change a Light – Change the World” pledge drive, a national effort that is supported by the New Jersey Clean Energy Program. Customers can take the pledge online at pseg.com/switchandsave.

The utility has further demonstrated its commitment to advancing energy efficiency and developing clean energy options by signing on to the National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency, a consortium facilitated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. Members of the consortium include utilities, regulators and other partners who are exploring collaborative ways to create a national commitment to energy efficiency and who are working to remove barriers to growing U.S. investment in energy efficiency products and services.

The “Switch and Save” initiative will continue until supplies of light bulbs are exhausted. Customers can purchase additional bulbs at hardware and home improvement stores.



WebWireID53077





This news content was configured by WebWire editorial staff. Linking is permitted.

News Release Distribution and Press Release Distribution Services Provided by WebWire.