Media Contacts:
Karl Walquist (775) 834-3891
Faye Andersen (775) 834-4822

Local residents who give blood, donate to the Friends of MS or adopt a pet from one of three animal shelters in the Reno-Sparks-Incline Village area are eligible to receive free, energy efficient compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) from NV Energy. 

Any NV Energy customer who donates used clothing or other household items to the Friends of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Reno, phone 775-323-3311, or who adopts a pet from the Nevada Humane Society, the SPCA of Northern Nevada or The Pet Network of Incline Village receives 12 CFLs. Utility customers who donate blood to United Blood Services each receive a free six pack of CFLs. (The CFLs are ENERGY STAR qualified, meaning they satisfy recommended energyefficiency standards.)

"The purpose of the program is to thank local residents for supporting these nonprofit organizations during difficult economic times by providing them with energy and cost savings,"said John Hargrove, project manager for energy efficiency and conservation at NV Energy."The agencies we're partnering with all have active community outreach programs."

A total of 128,000 CFLs were distributed to 14,500 northern Nevada donors during the first seven months of 2009, Hargrove said, adding the program will be offered through the end of the year.

"By replacing 12 incandescent bulbs at home with CFLs you can save up to $60 annually on lighting costs,"Hargrove added.

He said that since the start of the utility's energy efficient lighting program in 2003, more than 10 million of the energy saving bulbs have been distributed statewide either through rebates offered by NV Energy at retail outlets or through free distribution to nonprofit organizations.

An ENERGY STAR qualified CFL uses about 75 percent less energy than its incandescent equivalent and lasts up to 10 times longer, according to ENERGY STAR, a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. The program's goal is to help consumers make smart energy choices by identifying the most energy efficient products. Several types of CFLs, designed for a variety of uses, are available.

Visit NV Energy's website for more information about the utility'sENERGY STAR Lighting Program.