2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Event spokesperson :                                               
Lori Nagel (lori@bnba.org)
Phone: (716)803-3880


NYSERDA spokesperson : 
Colleen Ryan (cqr@nyserda.org)
Phone: 866-NYSERDA ext. 3359
www.getenergysmart.org

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Niagara Falls saves energy with LED holiday lights

Energy-efficient holiday lights help the City of Niagara Falls lower energy bill

Niagara Falls, NY – December 6, 2007: In an effort to promote sustainable practices, the City of Niagara Falls and its partners are replacing the city’s incandescent holiday lights with 5,000 energy efficient light-emitting diode, or LED, holiday lights throughout Columbus Heritage Park on Pine Avenue.

In cooperation with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), Pine Avenue Business Association and California-based LEDup Enterprise Inc., the company that donated the LED bulbs, the city will host a special lighting event to display the new multi-colored C9 LED light bulbs at the park on Friday December 7 at 5:30 p.m.

The 5,000 new LED lights will draw only one watt per bulb whereas the traditional incandescent bulbs used in previous years consumed an average of nine watts per bulb, or 9,800 kilowatt-hours of electricity (about $1,500 worth) over the season. The LED lights will consume only 1,040 kilowatt-hours of electricity (about $160 worth) during the same period. This will save Niagara Falls about $1,340 each year. The reduction in energy use will also reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 9,500 pounds each year.

“We are happy that our city can be part of this energy saving effort,” said Mayor Vince Anello. “We hope to inspire others to join us in creating a festive atmosphere for our city and at the same time be energy smart.”

LED holiday lights are constructed from solid-state chips that convert electricity into light without using a filament or glass bulb. They can burn for up to 100,000 hours, enough to last through more than 11 holiday seasons. They produce almost no heat, rarely burn out, will not overload household circuits and come in a variety of lengths, sizes, colors and styles.

“This simple change creates big savings for the City of Niagara Falls,” said Paul D. Tonko, President and CEO of NYSERDA. “LED lights use substantially less energy and are safer than traditional lighting because they burn cooler. These long-lasting holiday lights will help us reach Governor Spitzer’s goal of reducing electricity consumption 15 percent by 2015, while protecting the environment and serving the community for many years to come.”

The Pine Avenue Business Association worked closely with the city to organize the holiday lighting event at Columbus Heritage Park.

“Our holiday lighting on Pine Avenue this year is bigger than ever,” said Mary Jo Zacher, Executive Director of the Pine Avenue Business Association. “We never could have done it without the hard work of City Electrician Tony Paretto, the Sheriff’s Work Program, John Caso and the City of Niagara Falls.”

New York residents can follow the lead of Niagara Falls and save over $100 this holiday season by decorating their homes with a variety of energy efficient lighting choices that are easy, safe and last longer than traditional holiday lighting, including LED lights and :

• Cool-to-the-touch fiber optic holiday lights are a good choice for paths, trees, decks, patios and vaulted ceilings because fiber optic cables make it easier to access and maintain lights in hard-to-reach areas.
  
• Rope lights consist of tiny incandescent lights spaced about an inch apart, and are enclosed in a half-inch diameter flexible plastic tube. These lights last more than 20,000 hours and make a safe choice for decorating trees, doors and windows.
  
• Candelabra Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) use about 80 percent less energy, produce the same lumens, and generally last 10 times longer than the average incandescent bulb. They can be used in candlesticks and menorahs instead of an open flame.

Energy-efficient holiday lighting is just one component of NYSERDA’s “Little Steps to Big Savings” campaign that encourages New Yorkers to take a pledge to use energy efficiently. For more information and to take the pledge, visit www.GetEnergySmart.org or call toll-free 1-877-NYSMART.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) uses innovation and technology to solve some of New York's most difficult energy and environmental problems in ways that improve the State's economy.

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