Amidst worries about the economy and rising energy costs, six Kansas communities are taking charge of their energy future.
Wellington is competing against Kinsley, Merriam, Mount Hope/Haven, Quinter and Salina in the Take Charge Challenge – a friendly competition to reduce their electricity use over one year, beginning in April. The town that wins the Take Charge Challenge will receive a Wind for Schools turbine, solar panels for a civic building or cash to complete a civic energy efficiency project.
Dorothy Barnett, director of statewide relations for the Climate and Energy Project, says residents stand to save more than $162,000 a year by changing five standard lightbulbs in their home to CFL light bulbs — the goal for this year. Each home could save $65 a year on energy costs and up to 240 kilowatts in energy, she said.
The Kansas Power Pool — the city of Wellington’s electric partner — has donated 4,000 light bulbs to Wellington, which the city doubled by matching their donation. Phillips Lighting in Salina donated 500 bulbs for each Take Charge city, giving residents the opportunity to change without spending a dime.
“You guys have a terrific start with 8,500 CFLs that we’re able to give away to residents,” Barnett said. “That’s a great, great start to Wellington.”
The key, however, will be making sure residents actually change the bulbs.
“If they get free bulbs ... we try to get them to make that commitment to change the bulbs but to also go and buy a couple more,” Barnett said. “If people would change all of them, we’re talking a bigger savings.”
Salina-based Phillips Lighting is supporting this effort in all six communities with a Web site, www.takechargekansas.com, that Take Charge Challenge participants can use to track how many incandescent bulbs they have switched to CFLS – and track the progress of their competitors as well.
Booths will also be available at the kickoff for residents to see the latest in energy saving equipment and methods for their home.
Barnett says changing light bulbs is great, but energy saving should go to the next level as soon as possible.
“We’re kicking off with changing the bulbs, but that doesn’t mean we want to stop there with lighting,” Barnett said.
Grants for small businesses who use a lot of electricity are available, as well as weatherization grants for homeowners, she said.
Local businesses who are interested in having a booth to show off their products can do so free of charge and will even get free advertising for the event in the Wellington News.
