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HelpLight NJ Receives an Environmental Award for Lending a Helping Hand in New Jersey

Release Date: 03/11/2009
Contact Information: Michael Ortiz (212) 637-3670, ortiz.michael@epa.gov

(New York, N.Y.) Thousands of low income households in New Jersey received a helping hand in lowering their electric bills thanks to this year’s ENERGY STAR award winner, HelpLight NJ. The volunteer organization raised money to purchase and distribute 60,000 compact fluorescent light (CFLs) bulbs to needy families and seniors. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have partnered to honor HelpLight NJ with the 2009 Regional ENERGY STAR Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing. HelpLight NJ, founded by three high school students, provided 10,000 families with six CFLs each, for a total estimated energy cost savings of $4 million.

“We applaud HelpLight NJ on the fantastic job it is doing to facilitate energy savings and minimize utility costs for families that can use the extra help,” said George Pavlou, Acting Regional Administrator for EPA Region 2. “HelpLight NJ stands as a model of the potential young people have in making beneficial changes in the environment and their local community.”

ENERGY STAR regional awards are competitive and were given based on how well an organization demonstrated in its application its commitment to utilizing ENERGY STAR measures to improve energy efficiency in affordable housing. EPA worked closely with HUD in evaluating candidates.

“Energy efficiency plays such an important role in making housing more affordable, and low-income families are particularly hurt by high energy costs,” said Diane Johnson, HUD Newark Office Director. “The young people who make up HelpLight NJ are true role models, and demonstrate what even a few people can accomplish with hard work and a spirit of giving.”

ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money, and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 12,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings, and businesses.

For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit: http://ENERGYSTAR.gov. For more information about HelpLight NJ, go to http://www.helplightnj.com.

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