WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Samuel W. Bodman today launched the 2007 Change a Light, Change the World campaign encouraging every American to change at least one light at home to an ENERGY STAR® Compact Fluorescent Light bulb (CFL).  These bulbs are estimated to use 75 percent less energy than standard bulbs and last up to ten times longer, resulting in fewer greenhouse gas emissions and substantial energy savings.  This national call to action encourages all Americans to help change the world, one light — one energy-saving step — at a time.

“The simplest actions can have the largest impact and changing to a CFL is something every American can do today to save money, increase energy efficiency, and benefit the environment,” Secretary Bodman said.  “I encourage all Americans to answer the President’s call to be more energy efficient by changing a light.”

The nationwide effort to encourage Americans to use CFLs begins today, ENERGY STAR® Change a Light Day.  At the heart of the Change A Light effort is the online pledge to use CFLs at home.  Already over 500,000 people have taken the pledge.

Lighting accounts for nearly 20 percent of the average home’s electric bill.  Each CFL can save up to $30 in energy costs over its extended lifetime by using 75 percent less energy than a traditional bulb.  If every American home replaced just one light bulb with an ENERGY STAR® qualified bulb, it would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars.

Secretary Bodman is joining others in the Bush Administration, as well as leaders across the country to celebrate ENERGY STAR® Change a Light Day and encourage Americans to use energy wisely.  Like changing a light bulb, simple actions taken at home can help preserve our energy resources and reduce the risks of global climate change.  The national educational campaign is run in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and hundreds of retail stores, manufacturers, energy efficiency organizations, and state and territory governments.

Learn more about the ENERGY STAR® program.

Media contact(s):
Julie Ruggiero, (202) 586-4940