Media Contact: Karl Walquist,  (775) 834-3891kwalquist@sppc.com

A Sierra Pacific Power Company grant is helping illuminate the gym at the Mason Valley Boys and Girls Club in Yerington with new, energy efficient lighting. The organization is using the $5,000 energy efficiency grant to replace old metal halide lights in the gym with bright, low energy use fluorescent lights.  

"The savings these lights will provide will go right back to programs for the boys and girls who come here every day,"said Robert McKenrick, director of operations for the Boys and Girls Club."The great thing about this is that not only will it save money but it will provide better visibility and safety on the basketball court."

Over the past couple of months, Sierra Pacific has awarded $92,976 in energy efficiency grants to various nonprofit organizations throughout northern Nevada. The planned projects range from air conditioning upgrades to the installation of double pane windows and motion sensors that switch off lights when rooms are unoccupied.

"Informing our customers about the importance of conservation is only one small step. We want to be a catalyst in the effort to conserve energy,"said Larry Rackley with Sierra Pacific's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Department."The non-profit grant program is a major part of our effort to support conservation in our community."

Rackley said the new lights will reduce the club's electricity usage by about 5,000 kilowatt hours per year.

The Boys and Girls Club of Mason Valley serves more than 150 children a day from throughout the Mason Valley area.  Boys and girls, ranging in age from six to 18, participate in art and computer programs, sports and fitness activities and other recreational pursuits while learning character, leadership and other life skills.

"We can't wait to get the new lights in,"McKenrick said."There are kids using the gym and playing basketball all the time."

For more information on the Nonprofit Grant Program or for information on other energy conservation programs and tips, log ontowww.sierrapacific.com.