Montana Uses Energy-Saving Holiday Lights on Capitol Christmas Tree

February 2002

The State of Montana used energy-saving LED (Light Emitting Diode) holiday lights for the Capitol Christmas tree this year. The LED holiday lights use about 99 percent less energy than larger, traditional holiday bulbs and last up to 100,000 hours when used indoors. The LED holiday lights were strung on the tree located in the Governor's Reception Room in Montana's Capitol building and featured in the state's tree lighting ceremony. The Montana Power Company donated the LED holiday lights to the state. The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality assisted with the effort.

Over a 30-day period, lighting 500 traditional holiday lights will cost a Montana Power customer about $20.29 while the same number of LED lights costs only $0.20. Finally, unlike many other holiday bulbs if one bulb of the LED lights burns out the whole strand will stay lit.

Montana Power paid for the LED lights with Universal System Benefits dollars as a demonstration of this new high efficiency technology. The LED holiday lights are another example of how energy efficiency can be easily incorporated into of our everyday life," said Deb Martin Young, Montana Power's representative on the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance Board.