Citizens Energy Corporation, in partnership with CITGO Petroleum, provides compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and information about energy efficiency to select low-income households in 11 cities. The CFLs and educational materials are distributed through local community organizations to an estimated 23,000 households this summer. Households will receive enough CFLs to retrofit most of the lights in their homes.
Where Is the Program Operating?
The pilot program will operate in Boston, Massachusetts; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; New York City, New York; Washington, D.C.; Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Houston and Corpus Christi, Texas; Lemont, Illinois; and Lake Charles, Louisiana.
What Kinds of Savings Will Be Achieved?
Because CFLs use up to 75% less electricity than standard incandescent light bulbs and last significantly longer, this pilot program could save program participants nearly $14.9 million over the life of the CFLs and cut the energy use in the 23,000 households by 165 million kilowatt-hours. The average household may cut its monthly electric bill by 5 to 10 percent and save more than $600 over the life of the CFLs, depending on their usage.
