Western asks: How would you "Change the World"?

Spring is a time of inspiration and change, so what better time to think about—October. Specifically, we would like you to think about Energy Star's 2009 "Change the World" campaign, and what we can all do to save energy and protect the environment.

On Earth Day, April 22, Western kicked off a contest to collect ideas to use for our own participation in "Change the World." The goal is to come up with an innovative way for individuals to make a difference in the fight against global warming. Western will showcase the winning measure in our "Change the World" press releases, e-mail messages and Web pages throughout the month of October. All who participate will receive a nominal prize for sharing their ideas, and the most original idea will receive honorable mention. The winner will be awarded a custom plaque, plenty of recognition, and, of course, the chance to change the world.

Contest rules

The contest is open to the families of Western customers and employees. Entries are due by close of business June 20, 2009, and the winner and honorable mention will be contacted by July 20 and announced on the Energy Services home page.

Representatives from Energy Services and Western's corporate communications department will evaluate the entries and select the winning measures. "Our judges have spent a lot of time talking to customers about what makes energy-efficiency programs work, and they understand the challenge of getting an idea across to diverse audiences," explained Energy Services Manager Ron Horstman.

Judges will be looking for ideas that stress innovation and simplicity, he added. "People have to feel like their efforts matter," noted Horstman, "but make a measure too complicated or expensive, and consumers quickly get frustrated and opt out."

Entries will be evaluated on:

1. Meeting "Change the World" goals – Does the measure save energy or water, reduce carbon footprint, cut electric bills or raise awareness of wise resource use?

2. Creativity – Does it use resources, existing programs, typical behaviors or ordinary home or office equipment in a different or unique way?

3. Easy implementation – Is it something most people can do without much training or a big change in everyday behavior?

4. Participation – Can people put the idea into action on their own? Could the measure be turned into a program that involves neighborhoods or community groups, or even national or global groups?

5. Impact – Can the action be taken at home? School? Work? If widely adopted, how much difference could the measure make?

6. Cost – Does the measure require any special equipment? Can consumers find what they need at the grocery or hardware store? Does the measure only take the individual's time?

The Change a Light, Change the World campaign was so successful, Horstman pointed out, because it fit so many of those criteria. "Replacing light bulbs is a relatively easy thing to do, and if consumers changed enough of them, they started seeing small but noticeable results on their electric bills."

Building momentum

"Change a Light, Change the World," which ran from 2000-07, was all about taking those small individual steps to reduce global warming. Western actively participated in these campaigns, encouraging employees to pledge to replace a light bulb with a compact fluorescent light (CFL) or some other activity. Some employees have organized CFL giveaways in their own communities.

Launched in 2008, the "Change the World" campaign challenges Americans to take their energy-saving efforts farther. Energy Star gets the ball rolling with energy-saving tips posted on its Web site, and people are responding by sending Energy Star success stories from their homes, offices and communities.

Energy Services Bulletin highlights success stories too, but usually on a utility scale. This contest follows Energy Star's lead by focusing on things we can do in our daily lives to make a difference. "We particularly want to encourage the youngest consumers to contribute their ideas," said Horstman. "Kids often have the strongest commitment to the environment—and the most imagination. We are looking forward to seeing some real creativity."

The contest entries become property of Western, and no good idea will be wasted. Conservation and energy-efficiency measures are just different ways to say demand-side management, after all. Every suggestion has the potential to become a tool our customers can use to save energy and engage their consumers. "That includes the 'Change the World' contest itself," added Horstman. "Utilities can adopt this model to collect ideas for their own programs."

So get ready to tell Western how you would Change the World. Submit your idea for saving energy and fighting global warming by e-mail or send it snail mail to:

Western Area Power Administration
Attn: Change the World contest
P.O. Box 281213
Lakewood, CO 80228-8213

We accept electronic messages, letters, photos, audio, video or artwork—whatever format best expresses your idea—so feel free to use your imagination. Then watch the Energy Services Web site for more information.

Resources

Change the World with Energy Star

Western "Change the World" contest

Energy Services home page

Change the World stories

People

Ron Horstman

Contest entries

Related articles

Energy Services Bulletin,
February 2007
Mor-Gran-Sou partners with Boy Scouts to change lights and the world

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