Maryland Governor Kicks Off 2006 Change a Light, Change the World Campaign

December 2006

As part of the national 2006 Change a Light, Change the World campaign, Governor Ehrlich asked every Marylander to take the Change a Light Pledge and change at least one incandescent light bulb to an energy-efficient, Energy Star®-qualified compact fluorescent light (CFL). "I am proud to partner Maryland with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and The Home Depot in an effort that will help citizens save energy, money, and ultimately, our environment," Governor Ehrlich said.

If each household in Maryland changes one incandescent light bulb to an Energy Star-qualified CFL, up to 107 million kilowatt-hours of electricity will be saved per year and the reduction in carbon dioxide emissions will be equivalent to removing 15,000 cars from state roads.

Ronald McDonald House Receives Energy Star Light Bulbs

A recent Maryland Energy Administration (MEA)-sponsored energy audit revealed that Maryland's Ronald McDonald House could save significantly on its $80,000 yearly energy bill with a few energy changes.

An anonymous benefactor donated 440 special long-life Philips Energy Star-qualified light bulbs. CN Robinson Lighting & Supply Co. in Baltimore also donated products. This change is expected to save the House more than $25,000 in energy costs over the lifetime of the bulbs.

HUNT Consulting in Maryland and KVS Lighting Contractors updated old lighting fixtures to 2006 standards. HUNT specializes in energy efficiency consulting and new lighting systems. Volunteers from MEA and other local groups are working to bring more energy efficiency upgrades, such as insulation and Energy Star appliances, to the House.

For more information, see the MEA November 22 press release (PDF 15 KB). Download Adobe Reader.