Profile of a Patriot

Through the Lugar Energy Patriot, Senator Lugar profiles a student, professional, scholar, or member of the business community who has demonstrated leadership and initiative in taking concrete action to improve America's energy security. In addition to the profile posted here, individuals will receive a certificate designating them Lugar Energy Patriots, and a letter of congratulations.

Green Lights Club
Carmel High School
Carmel, Indiana

The Green Lights Club in Carmel, Indiana is the 27th recipient of the Lugar Energy Patriot award.

Through the Lugar Energy Patriot, Senator Lugar profiles a student, professional, scholar, or member of the business community who has demonstrated leadership and initiative in taking concrete action to improve America's energy security.

A ‘bright’ idea

Ben Webb, a junior at Carmel High School, along with several of his peers, wanted to make a difference in the community that would inspire others to take action as well.

Webb, coming from a family of energy-minded individuals, founded the Green Lights Club at his high school. With membership open to the student body, more than 50 students joined the Green Lights Club and set out to determine a course of action to change the energy mindset of the Carmel community. 

"The students involved with Green Lights Club really understand all the impacts of wasteful energy usage in Indiana and the United States," said Webb. "Using energy more efficiently helps our nation’s security and our wallets and as high school students, that’s important to us."

When pondering what actions would save both individual households and whole communities, the Green Lights Club looked for wasteful energy opportunities.

The Club developed a program to make Carmel neighborhoods more energy efficient by raising awareness about the benefits of using energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs for outdoor dusk-to-dawn lampposts.

Some might call it a ‘bright idea’ jokes Ben Webb during a recent phone interview.

"We noticed that many neighborhood associations in Carmel require outside lampposts to be lit all night," said Webb. "After a little research we realized the lampposts we were targeting stayed on for more than 4,250 hours a year. That is a lot of energy for not a lot of use."

The club realized that education was crucial in order for their efforts to both gain support and be practical for local families.

"We went around the neighborhood asked residents if they were willing to switch light bulbs in their front lampposts if we supplied the bulb," said Webb. "It’s all about convenience. We knew the first step getting buy-in from each resident."

The club also educated its own members on the perks of using compact fluorescent lighting.

"We held two training meetings to explain the program and provide club members with brochures, instruction sheets and order forms," said Webb. "Each student joining the club made a commitment to sign up five homeowners to take part in our light bulb program."

After receiving a grant from Carmel Green Teens, the Green Lights Club was able to purchase and begin distributing new, energy efficient light bulbs to 105 homes throughout 44 Carmel neighborhoods. The Carmel Green Teen Micro-grant program was established to fund youth-driven projects to help make Carmel/Clay Township a greener community, according to Green Lights Club.

"We anticipate these small but mighty changes will result in $2,100 in total annual savings in our community and reduce 52.5 tons of carbon dioxide emissions in Carmel over the life of the new bulbs," said Webb.

For more than a decade, Senator Lugar has stressed the strategic importance of energy security and the economic and security risks of dependence on oil. His legislative efforts promote increased fuel economy, sustainable energy production and use, incentives for renewable fuels like cellulosic ethanol and E85, and clean coal.

"For many years I have advocated that Indiana has the critical mass of people, companies, researchers and expertise to lead in energy efficiency and less dependence on foreign oil," said Senator Lugar. "With the efforts of the Green Lights Club we celebrate yet another Indiana community organization working toward this promising future."

The Green Lights Club plans to continue their efforts in the future and work further to increase awareness and energy efficiency in Central Indiana.

"We are hopeful that the actions of our club inspire other groups in Indiana to take part in this national effort to reduce our dependence on energy," said Webb. "Each bit helps and with efforts like ours, we can make an energy independent and efficient future our reality."

Senator Lugar agrees. That is why he congratulates the Green Lights Club on being a Lugar Energy Patriot.