The Louisiana Dept. of Natural Resources and the Louisiana Dept. of Environmental Quality are partnering to change the world starting Oct. 3…one light bulb at a time.

In recognition of Change a Light Day and Energy Efficiency Month in October, Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco has proclaimed October ENERGY STAR Change a Light Month in Louisiana.

On Change a Light Day, Oct. 3, and throughout the month of October, Louisiana residents can save money and the environment by pledging to change at least one light bulb in their home from a traditional incandescent light bulb to an energy efficient compact fluorescent lamp or light bulb (CFL). By taking the ENERGY STAR Change a Light Pledge – citizens of Louisiana have the opportunity to save energy and to help voluntarily reduce greenhouse gas emissions by switching to ENERGY STAR qualified light bulbs and lighting products in their homes.

The simple step of changing one light bulb can make a difference. For example, if every household in Louisiana changed just one light to an ENERGY STAR light, it would be the equivalent of taking 3,000 cars off the road.

“Conservation begins at home. We encourage our citizens to change a light bulb or two in their homes this month. This simple effort has big dividends – saving dollars and a cleaner environment,” DNR Secretary Scott Angelle said.

One home can cause twice as many greenhouse gas emissions as the family car. Most U.S. homes still get their electricity from power plants that burn fossil fuels and release greenhouse gases into our atmosphere. An ENERGY STAR qualified bulb prevents more than 400 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions over its lifetime, the equivalent of keeping nearly 200 pounds of coal from being burned.

“Changing a light bulb and conserving energy in the home, can go a long way in improving air quality in Louisiana,” said DEQ secretary Mike McDaniel.  “Everyone can help improve the environment by making small lifestyle changes.”

Used fluorescent bulbs must be disposed of in the proper way to prevent environmental pollution. CFLs contain approximately 4 milligrams of mercury so it is important that these bulbs are removed and recycled at designated facilities, such as the outlets designated by the Department of Environmental Quality. To ensure proper disposal the departments of Natural Resources and Environmental Quality have designated eight locations across Louisiana and locations throughout the state office buildings in Baton Rouge where residents can drop-off used bulbs.

Residents can visit one of eight regional DEQ offices to drop off their CFLs, including locations in:

• Lafayette at 111 New Center Drive
• Baton Rouge at DEQ Headquarters, 602 N 5th Street
• West Monroe at 1823 Hwy 546
• Pineville at 402 Rainbow Drive Bldg 402
• Shreveport at 1525 Fairfield Room 520
• New Orleans at 201 Evans Road, Bldg 4, Suite 420
• Mandeville at 645 N. Lotus, Suite C
• Lockport at 110 Barataria Street
• Lake Charles at 1301 Gadwell Street

Residents call also drop off CFLs in Baton Rouge at the:

• Department of Natural Resources, 617 N. 3rd Street
• Department of Social Services, 627 N. 4th Street
• Department of Education, 1201 N. 3rd Street 

Changing a light bulb to help the environment does not stop at home. A number of large companies and retailers are pledging to encourage the use of ENERGY STAR CFLs within their stores and with their customers. Wal-Mart stores in Louisiana are showcasing ENERGY STAR CFLs and providing each employee with an education kit about ENERGY STAR products and their benefits to assist customers who want to “turn the switch” on energy efficiency.

Benefits of changing to CFLs include:

• Using 2/3 less energy with CFLs.
• Saving at least $25 each in energy costs over a CFL’s lifetime.
• Lasting 6 to 10 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs.
• Generating 70 percent less heat than incandescent lighting, reducing a home’s cooling needs and energy consumption.
• Stopping the production of approximately 65 pounds of carbon dioxide by switching from a 60-watt incandescent bulb.

Louisiana residents can visit www.energystar.gov to take the Change a Light Pledge. They can also visit www.dnr.la.gov to discover the benefits of energy efficiency in their homes and www.deq.la.gov to learn more about helping the environment through recycling.

• Read more from the DNR Energy web pages:
  http://dnr.louisiana.gov/changealight
• View the Governor's proclamation:
  Energy Star Change a Light Month Proclamation
• Read the EPA News Release on this topic:
  Bright Idea: Change a Light, Change the World with Energy Star