Senator Lautenberg, NJ Leaders, PSE&G Unveil Energy Efficiency Initiative

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Includes Distribution of 100,000 Energy-Efficient Lightbulbs

November 19, 2007 -- NEWARK, N.J. – Today, Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) joined PSEG Chairman and CEO Ralph Izzo, Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Commissioners and other New Jersey leaders to help launch PSE&G’s new statewide initiative to help customers conserve energy, save money and take simple steps to fight climate change by giving out 100,000 energy efficient light bulbs for free.

“Thomas Edison invented the light bulb in New Jersey and his first laboratory was here in Newark. I’m proud that we’re taking Edison’s invention from the present to the future.” Lautenberg said. “It’s amazing to think a light bulb can make such difference. Saving energy while we’re saving money is truly a bright idea.”

PSE&G’s program, called Switch and Save, will encourage customers to use energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs, or “CFLs.” These light bulbs use 75 percent less energy than standard bulbs, last up to ten times longer and can save consumers close to $30 dollars per bulb in electric costs. The average American home has more than forty light bulbs.

PSE&G plans on giving away compact fluorescent light bulbs to customers, at no cost, to start the campaign. With normal use, the Switch and Save Campaign’s 100,000 bulbs will remove 40,000 tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during the life of the bulbs, which is equal to taking 9,000 cars off the road for one year.

Lautenberg recently made significant improvements to the Lieberman-Warner Climate Change Act of 2007, which passed out of a key Senate subcommittee. The bill would cut emissions from power plants, factories, and cars and trucks, and give states such as New Jersey the right to take stronger action on global warming than the federal government.

The Senate also passed Lautenberg’s Green Buildings Act earlier this year which will make federal buildings more energy efficient.

Source: Senator Frank R. Lautenberg