FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Agency contacts:                                                NYSERDA spokesperson:
Mary Ingram Schatz (mary@ingramschatz.com)    Colleen Ryan (cqr@nyserda.org)
Phone: 212-600-4469                                           Phone: 866-NYSERDA ext. 3359
                                                                          www.getenergysmart.org

Gayle Dougherty (gayle@haggman.com)
Phone: 978-525-3742

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How many New Yorkers does it take to change the world?

State vows to collect 10,000 pledges to save energy and fight global warming with ENERGY STAR® qualified lighting

NEW YORK, NY – October 23, 2007: Little steps like changing a light bulb can add up to big savings when it comes to protecting the environment and saving energy. Today, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) launched its “10K Day” Pledge Drive at Union Square Park in Manhattan, encouraging New Yorkers to change at least one incandescent light bulb in their homes with an ENERGY STAR® qualified compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL).

NYSERDA has committed to collecting 10,000 ENERGY STAR pledges from New Yorkers who agree to switch to ENERGY STAR qualified lighting and take other energy-saving measures at home. The pledge drive is in support of the national ENERGY STAR Change a Light, Change the World campaign and the culmination of its 20-day, coast-to-coast ENERGY STAR Change a Light bus tour. Residents statewide can take the pledge through the end of the year by visiting www.GetEnergySmart.org and clicking on the “Take the Pledge Today” image or by calling 1-877-NYSMART.

“When we talk about improving the environment, there are dangerous myths that would have us believe that you need to make large, expensive changes, or suffer inconveniences to save energy,” says Paul D. Tonko, President and CEO of NYSERDA. “The reality is that making a series of small changes, such as switching to CFL bulbs, have a powerful impact.  If each of us took small steps, the impact would be enormous.”

If each household in New York took the ENERGY STAR Change a Light Pledge and changed one incandescent light bulb to an ENERGY STAR qualified bulb, New York could prevent more than 562 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions over the lifetime of the bulbs. That is the environmental equivalent of taking approximately 40,000 passenger cars off of New York’s roads for a full year. New Yorkers could also save more than 365 million kilowatt-hours of electricity and reduce household electrical bills by a combined total of $56 million per year.

“Every step that we take to preserve the quality of our environment is a step to ensure a brighter future," said Louis Cedrone, director marketing and sales, energy efficiency programs at Con Edison. "Con Edison is proud to be a partner with NYSERDA on the ENERGY STAR Change a Light, Change the World campaign and help our customers to improve the environment by saving energy.”

The ENERGY STAR Change a Light, Change the World campaign is a national call-to-action from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The EPA’s clean diesel engine bus, provided by Motor Coach Industries (MCI), began its cross-country trek from California on October 3 and wraps up the tour today in Manhattan after stopping in eight other cities along the way.

“We are thrilled that NYSERDA stepped forward to host the last stop on the national bus tour to help us encourage many people in New York to start saving energy today, starting by changing to energy efficient lighting,” said Wendy Reed, ENERGY STAR Change a Light, Change the World Campaign Manager. “Americans need to see that they are part of the solution to fight global warming, and we hope this tour will help individuals understand the connection between personal energy use and our climate.”

ENERGY STAR compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) use 75 percent less energy, last up to 10 times longer and fit in almost any fixture. They produce 75 percent less heat than traditional incandescent models, so they are safer to operate and can cut energy costs associated with home cooling. An ENERGY STAR qualified light bulb or fixture can save about $30 or more in electricity costs and prevent more than 400 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions over its lifetime; the equivalent of keeping nearly 200 pounds of coal from being burned.

Visit www.GetEnergySmart.org or call 1-877-NY-SMART (1-877-697-6278) for more information about the ENERGY STAR Change a Light Pledge, 10K Day and other energy-saving tips.

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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