Sierra Pacific Power helps STEP 2 treatment program switch to energy-efficient lighting, urges residents to do the same with discount offers

Media contact: Faye Andersen (775) 834-4822 |
Additional contact: Lisa Scholin (503) 977-0483 or (503) 320-9379

Something as simple as changing a light bulb can help electric customers save every month on their power bills.

In order to make that point, Sierra Pacific Power Company and Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn are encouraging residents to replace their traditional light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) which use a fraction of the electricity, generate little heat and last nearly 10 times as long as traditional bulbs. The utility and the Governor are making their pleas as part of the national ENERGY STAR Change a Light, Change the World campaign.

Gov. Guinn has proclaimed today as Change a Light Day, and Sierra Pacific Power kicked things off this morning by donating and installing 337 compact fluorescent lamps at STEP 2â€" an area treatment program that provides transitional housing, counseling and treatment for women and their children who are suffering from chemical addiction, poverty and domestic violence.

Replacing standard incandescent bulbs with money-saving, energy-efficient lamps has the potential to save the STEP 2 over $2,100 in energy costs each year, and it will save time since the lights are changed less often. 

"Our new lighting will help us better serve the women and their children that rely on us for stability and comfort as they rebuild their lives,” says Diaz Dixon, CEO of STEP 2. "We can put the money we save each year directly into programs for our families."

"If every home in Nevada made a change to energy-efficient lighting, the state would save 45 million kWh of electricity a year, resulting in a total annual savings of $4.5 million in energy costs while reducing the amount of carbon dioxide gas going into the air by 71 million pounds,"Gov. Guinn said.

Sierra Pacific Power is working with lighting manufacturers and area retailers in the region to offer special pricing on ENERGY STAR lighting products.  Special offers will be available at participating retailers, including Lowe's, The Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Costco, and Big Lots stores through November.

"Today, families are trying to find ways to reduce their energy consumption, and that can be as easy as changing a light,"says John Hargrove, senior program manager for Sierra Pacific Power. "Energy-efficient compact fluorescent lamps use up to 75 percent less energy than a standard incandescent, and they can save up to $25 in energy costs over the life of the bulb."
 
Sierra Pacific Power
Sierra Pacific Power Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sierra Pacific Resources (NYSE:SRP), is the electric utility serving most of northern Nevada and the Lake Tahoe area of California.  Sierra Pacific Power Company also distributes natural gas in the Reno-Sparks area of northern Nevada.  Sierra Pacific Resources is the holding company for Nevada Power Company, serving most of southern Nevada, and Tuscarora Gas Pipeline Company, which owns 50 percent interest in an interstate natural gas transmission partnership.

STEP 2
STEP 2 is a distinctive organization serving northern Nevada that offers a residential and outpatient treatment program for women and their children suffering from chemical addiction, poverty and domestic violence. The organization works to empower women and help build stronger, self-sustaining families.

ENERGY STAR
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, money and help protect the environment for future generations.  More than 7,000 organizations have become ENERGY STAR partners and are committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes and businesses.