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EPA Recognizes Marple Township for Leadership in ENERGY STAR’s Change a Light, Change the World Campaign

Release Date: 10/03/2006
Contact Information: Donna Heron., (215)-814-5543

PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced that Marple Township has helped protect the environment for future generations by encouraging 100 individuals to take the ENERGY STAR Change a Light pledge. In doing so, the township has met its goal and fulfilled its commitment to the ENERGY STAR Change a Light, Change the World Campaign.

The ENERGY STAR Change a Light, Change the World Campaign includes a growing community of corporations, utilities, manufacturers, individuals, and countless others who have made a firm commitment to change the world, one light – one energy-saving step – at a time. Lighting accounts for about 20 percent of the typical home’s electricity use and switching to an energy-efficient option is a significant way to reduce greenhouse gases, save energy, and protect the environment.

Marple Township committed to collect 100 pledges from individuals to replace at least one incandescent bulb or fixture at home with one that has earned the government’s ENERGY STAR label. Marple Township has exceeded EPA’s goal with146 pledges and several events still planned. Its actions have the potential to save more than 28,200 kWh of energy and 44,600 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions.

“EPA congratulates Marple Township to taking the ENERGY STAR Change a Light pledge, and encouraging, by its example, all township residents,” said Donald S. Welsh, regional administrator for EPA’s mid-Atlantic region. “Changing a light bulb to one that carries the ENERGY STAR label is one of the easiest things people can do to help improve the environment.”

Marple Township will continue to collect pledges in the lead-up to the campaign kick-off on ENERGY STAR Change a Light Day on October 4, 2006. To be part of their efforts, take the pledge online at www.marpletwp.com.

Changing just one light in your home will save those in our community time, energy and money, but that’s not all,” said Commissioner John Butler. “Ultimately these steps will have a significant impact on our environment and we proud that so many people have committed to do their part. We have had the help of State Representatives Greg Vitali and William Adolph, Marple Library and the Marple Newtown Schools in promoting the Change a Light Program.” We still plan to give out free CFL’s to our senior citizens again this year with a grant from Peco Energy, a door prize of CFL’s donated by home depot for pledges made at our library and Energy Star bookmark contest also supported by our Marple Library.

The ENERGY STAR Change a Light, Change the World campaign is a national challenge sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, to encourage Americans to consider the energy they use and to switch to light bulbs and fixtures that have earned the government’s ENERGY STAR for energy efficiency.

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 and money, and help protect our 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 about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).

Marple Township has a population of approximately 24,000 residents and has been active with ENERGY STAR and the former Rebuild America Program. Traffic lights have been 100 percent powered with renewable energy since 2004, and the historic 1696 Massey House is powered with 100 percent wind power.