Turn Off Your Lights For Earth Hour - March 28

Just a reminder that the Pennsylvania Outdoor Lighting Council is promoting Earth Hour this March 28 at 8:30 p.m. to raise awareness about energy usage and waste.

 

Residents, municipalities and businesses around the world are being asked to shut off non-essential lighting for one hour, from 8:30 - 9:30 p.m. to demonstrate their commitment to supporting action on climate change.

 

"This Saturday evening, participants may learn just how wasteful unnecessary energy consumption really is," said Acting Department of Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger said. "An act so simple may not seem like much, but when multiplied millions of times over, it really can make a difference."

 

"Gov. Rendell has directed that we turn off the exterior lights on the Capitol Dome for 60 minutes on Saturday evening to show the commonwealth's support of Earth Hour," said Department of General Services Secretary James. P. Creedon. "Pennsylvania is recognized as a national leader when it comes to conserving energy in our state office buildings and we will continue to do all we can to further reduce energy consumption and protect the environment by reducing harmful emissions."

 

Earth Hour first started in Australia in 2007, as a way of reminding people that unnecessary lighting wastes money and energy, adversely impacting the environment. The 2009 event aims to reach one billion people in 1,000 cities worldwide.

 

The lighting council website provides information on the upcoming Earth Hour program. Information is also available on this website concerning Outdoor Lighting Workshops scheduled for April 29 in Lancaster County and May 12 in Chester County.

 

For more information, contact DEP's Jim McTish at 484 250-5180 or send email to: jmctish@state.pa.us.