Oct. 23, 2006 — In recognition of energy awareness month, The V.I. Energy Office continues to give residents a chance to trade in inefficient old light bulbs for energy-saving new ones.
"Just about everyone is aware of the benefits of these bulbs now," said Don Buchanan, media information specialist for the office, a division of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources. "You very seldom walk into a business now where the bulbs are not being changed to energy-efficient bulbs."
The office has set up sites around the territory giving compact fluorescent bulbs to residents who brought in their old incandescent bulbs. St. Thomas residents will have a chance to exchange light bulbs at Cost-U-Less from 9 to 5 p.m. Wednesday. St. John residents may exchange bulbs at the Flower and Garden Show on Saturday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy, marked "ENERGY STAR Change a Light Day" on Oct. 4 with many events across the U.S. "If every U.S. home changed just one light to an ENERGY STAR qualified one, enough energy would be saved to light seven million homes and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from one million cars," said an EPA news release.
Compact-fluorescent bulbs only burn about a quarter of the electricity of their incandescent counterparts. The V.I. Energy Office estimates that it has given out about 100 bulbs so far. The office has extended its exchange for the full month in hopes of reaching more residents.
Along with energy-saving bulbs, the office also gives out information about other ways to use energy efficiently and incorporate alternative energy — such as solar and wind — into their daily lives.
"The program has gone very well," Buchanan said. "We are running into many Virgin Island residents who want to cut their power bills.
In the future, Buchanan said, the office might start leaving promotion of the energy-efficient light bulbs up to the private sector. The last exchange on St. Croix, scheduled at Cost-U-Less, had to be canceled on Saturday because of the weather. No more exchanges have been scheduled on the big island.
The office offers rebates to people who purchase energy-efficient appliances or alternative-energy systems. For more information about these programs and energy grants awarded by the office, visit its website.
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