The City of Knoxville announced that they have joined the ENERGY STAR® Change a Light, Change the World campaign, a growing community of corporations, cities, utilities, manufacturers, individuals, and countless others who have made a firm commitment to change the world, one light - one energy-saving step - at a time.

As part of this national movement, the City of Knoxville Public Service Division has volunteered to encourage 100 individuals to pledge to replace at least one incandescent bulb or fixture at home with one that has earned the government's ENERGY STAR label - as a first step to preserve our energy resources and environment. The City hopes to achieve their goal on or before April 22, 2007, Earth Day. 100 pledges could save 28,200 kWh and prevent 44,600 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions. "Like many organizations, we want to do our part to create a better environment," said Mayor Bill Haslam. "Participating in this national campaign is both easy and effective. We are proud to spread the word about the simple steps individuals in our community can take to make a difference." The City of Knoxville Public Service Division will take an active role in encouraging individuals to make a simple, yet meaningful commitment by taking the online ENERGY STAR Change a Light Pledge. With lighting accounting for about 20 percent of the typical home's electricity use, switching to energy-efficient options is a significant way to reduce greenhouse gases, save energy and protect the environment for future generations. 

"Committing to change the world takes less time and energy than you might think. In fact, it can start with simply changing a light," said Wendy Reed of the Environmental Protection Agency. "Cities like The City of Knoxville are an important part of the ENERGY STAR Change a Light community who have committed their time to help us spread the word about the ENERGY STAR Change a Light Pledge and we are proud to work with them, and with the thousands of Americans who've already taken the pledge to make a difference for this generation and those to come."The ENERGY STAR Change a Light Pledge is already having a dramatic impact. Individuals who pledged to change a light in 2005 alone have the potential to save more than $2 million in energy costs and prevent more than 33 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions!The ENERGY STAR Change a Light, Change the World campaign is a national challenge sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, to encourage Americans to consider the energy they use and to switch to light bulbs and fixtures that have earned the government's ENERGY STAR for energy efficiency.

About ENERGY STAR®

ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce air pollution through increased energy efficiency. Today, with assistance from the U.S. Department of Energy, the ENERGY STAR program offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy and money, and help protect our environment for future generations. More than 8,000 organizations have become ENERGY STAR partners and are committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).