The Greening of Curtis Park
Change a light, change the world
By Kathy Les
Viewpoint Staff Writer
Compact fluorescent
bulbs save energy
SCNA in partnership with SMUD is calling on Curtis Park neighbors to join
the "Change a Light, Change the World" effort sponsored nationwide
during October. Compact fluorescents use 66% less energy than a standard
incandescent bulb and last seven to10 years-10 times longer than a traditional
bulb. Replacing a 100-watt incandescent with a 32-watt CFL can save at least
$30 in energy costs over the life of the bulb.
If every household in the U.S. replaced one light bulb with an ENERGY STAR
qualified compact fluorescent light bulb, it would prevent enough pollution
to equal removing one million cars from the road. For every household that
replaces four traditional bulbs with four CFLs, 718 pounds less carbon dioxide
is emitted annually into the atmosphere.
During the month of October, numerous local retailers will offer discounts
on ENERGY STAR certified CFLs courtesy of SMUD. If you haven't tried a CFL
lately, expect to be pleasantly surprised. Check the package for information
on selecting the bulb that's right for your lighting needs.
Neighborhood households still needed for energy conservation program
SCNA's partnership with SMUD continues and neighbors are still needed
to join the Environmental Leadership 100 to help Curtis Park go carbon
neutral - the new reference to reducing toxic carbon dioxide gases.
Curtis Park is engaged in a pilot program to demonstrate that neighbors
working together can collectively reduce their energy use to ward off
the ill effects of harmful pollutants. The goal is to reduce energy use
on a neighborhood wide basis by 10-20% over the next year. The goal is
to enlist at least 100 households in Curtis Park willing to embark on
monitoring their electricity usage with an eye toward stemming the threat
of global warming.
Declare your willingness to participate by visiting www.smud.org before
Dec. 15 to conduct your home energy audit and be eligible to win one of
six $50 gift certificates to Taylor's Market. The energy audit takes just
a few minutes and will demonstrate how your energy use compares with homes
of a similar size and type. Follow the easy steps to conduct your home
energy audit:
- Step 1-Log on to www.smud.org and
click on the 'Manage Your Account' bar at the top right hand side of
the web site.
- Step 2-Register with 'Your Account' (To register you will need you
SMUD account number located on the top left corner of your bill and
the last four digits of the SS# of the account holder.)
- Step 3-Click on the 'personalized home energy analysis' link and
you are set to go. Registering with 'Your Account' will automatically
populate your individual energy use into the analysis. In addition,
the account function will provide personalized bill analysis and track
daily energy use and compare it with past use as well as use of similar
size households.
- Step 4 -E-mail Green@sierra2.org
with the words 'I did my audit' and you will be entered to win 1
of 6 - $50 gift certificates from Taylor's Market. This great offer
has been extended to Dec. 15; so act quickly. If you wish to
continue monitoring and reducing your electric usage, please also state
in the e-mail "I wish to be part of the Curtis Park Environmental
Leadership 100" and provide your name and address.
SMUD Greenergy program
SMUD's Greenergy program offers customers the ability to choose how "green"
they want to be. For $3 a month added to your bill, SMUD will match 50%
of your electricity needs with purchases of renewable power for use in
the SMUD power system. At $6 per month, SMUD will match 100% of your electric
needs with renewable power.
For every new Greenergy customer in Curtis Park, SMUD will donate $10
to SCNA. Simply e-mail Green@sierra2
.org with your name and address and state the option you prefer-the
50% or 100%. Or stop by the Sierra 2 office for an enrollment brochure.
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