BRAHAM, MN - Saving money and energy this year can be as simple as installing an ENERGY STAR^â qualified compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL).

From Oct. 1 through Nov. 30, 2007, East Central Energy (ECE) is encouraging its members to "Change the World" one light, one step at a time by replacing their standard light bulbs with ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs. By changing to energy-efficient CFLs, a household can save up to $60 a year in energy costs, reducing utility bills as well as saving energy and preserving the environment.

ECE is helping its residential electric customers make the simple switch to energy-efficient lighting by offering a $2 instant cash-back rebate on ENERGY STAR qualified CFL purchases of 12 bulbs or less. With the instant rewards, the bulbs will sell for as little as $0.99 at participating stores. The program is being held in conjunction with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) national "ENERGY STAR Change a Light, Change the World" campaign.

Participating 2007 Change a Light ECE area stores

Menards:
Hermantown
Duluth
Forest Lake

Do It Best:
Willow River Merc.

United Hardware:
Askov Hardware
Czarnetzki Hardware (Sauk Rapids)
Isle Hardware Hank
Rice Hardware Hank
Sam West (Onamia)


True Value:
L&M True Value (Cloquet)

Ace:
Ace Hardware Downtown (Duluth)
Forest Lake Ace Hardware
Hoffmann Ace Hardware (Pine City)
Ace Hardware (Mora)
Main Street Hardware (North Branch)
Hoffmann Ace Hardware (Moose Lake)
Princeton Ace Hardware
Sandstone Ace Hardware
Denny & Kathy's Ace Hardware (N 8^th St. and Roosevelt Rd, St. Cloud)
Mimbach Fleet Supply (St Cloud)

"Most people don't realize that the energy they use in their homes can be responsible for twice the air pollution as their car," said Wendy Reed of the ENERGY STAR program at the US EPA. "Switching to energy-efficient light bulbs and fixtures is a simple way to do your part to reduce the pollution that causes global warming. If we all simply changed the five lights we use most to ENERGY STAR qualified ones, together we'd prevent the greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions from nearly ten million cars."

Not only do ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs use up to 75 percent less energy than typical incandescent light bulbs, CFLs also offer superior performance by lasting up to 10 times longer than their old-fashioned counterparts. Today's CFLs provide bright, warm light and require replacement far less often, saving consumers both time and money.

Lighting products that earn the ENERGY STAR offer extra safety and convenience features as well. CFLs generate approximately 75 percent less heat than standard incandescent lighting, which means they are cooler to the touch, while helping reduce household cooling costs at the same time. With the wide variety of CFL shapes, sizes and styles available, energy-efficient lighting can be used throughout the home all year round.

Most people want to do their part to help the environment, but they simply don't know where to start. Choosing ENERGY STAR qualified lighting for the home is a simple action everyone can take to save time, energy and money, and help preserve the environment for future generations.

CFL bulbs contain a small amount of mercury, which is harmful to the environment. Minnesota State law prohibits placing CFL lamps in the garbage. For options on recycling go to: www.minnesota.earth911.org or www.pca.state.mn.us



About ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce air pollution through increased energy efficiency. Today, with assistance from the U.S. Department of Energy, the ENERGY STAR program offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 8,000 organizations have become ENERGY STAR partners and are committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes and businesses. For more information, visit www.energystar.gov.