Sierra Pacific Power is helping South Lake Tahoe residents save money on their electric bills by giving away compact fluorescent lights to the utility's California electric customers. To get a dozen free CFLs, bring the"Looks Funny, Saves Money"coupon enclosed with your August power bill to Sierra Pacific's office in South Lake Tahoe, 933 Eloise Ave., on Wednesday, Sept. 19, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Quantities are limited and the lights will be distributed to Sierra Pacific residential customers only on a first-come, first-served basis.

"These 60-watt equivalent lights use up to 75 percent less energy and can last up to 10 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs, and they can be used almost anywhere you would normally use a regular incandescent bulb,"said John Hargrove, project manager for energy efficiency and conservation at Sierra Pacific. 

Hargrove said Sierra Pacific Power and its sister company in Las Vegas, Nevada Power Company, distributed one million CFLs in 2006 through giveaway programs and company-sponsored discounts at hardware stores. The company's goal is to distribute 1.7 million of the energy saving bulbs in 2007.

CFLs are also available for discounted prices in the Reno-Sparks area at Home Depot, Lowe's, Big Lots, Dollar Tree, King's Ranch Market, and at Scolari's and Sak ‘n' Save supermarkets.

Sierra Pacific Power serves approximately 46,000 electric customers in California. The utility's service area includes Lake Tahoe as well Portola, Loyalton and communities in Mono County and Alpine County.