Carteret, NJ – Mayor Daniel J. Reiman encouraged residents to help save the environment on Saturday, by promoting and distributing free light bulbs. Beginning this month, the Borough has partnered with “Help Light New Jersey” to provide Energy Star qualified light bulbs to Carteret homeowners.
Nearly 2,000 boxes of 6 energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL’s) have been supplied to Carteret by the New Jersey-based organization, through the N.J. Clean Energy program. There will be no cost for participating, according to Mayor Reiman. Local homeowners will only be asked to fill out a form expressing their commitment to ‘green’ standards, and their interest in future energy-saving programs.
The volunteer organization “Help Light N.J.,” this year’s Energy Star award-winner, raised money throughout 2009 to purchase and distribute 60,000 CFL bulbs to New Jersey families and seniors. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have honored Help Light NJ with the 2009 Regional ENERGY STAR Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing.
Help Light NJ, was founded by three New Jersey high school students, and to date has provided 10,000 families with six CFLs each, for a total estimated energy cost savings of $4 million.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, one Energy Star qualified compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) will save about $200 over its lifetime and pay for itself in about 6 months. It uses 75% less energy and lasts about 10 times longer than an incandescent bulb.
Each pack of 6 light bulbs has:
(1) 3-way CFL
(1) A shaped CFL
(2) 15 W Spiral CFL
(2) 23W Spiral CFL
Mayor Reiman added that this is one of many “green” programs his administration has implemented to promote cost-saving measures and environmentally-friendly enhancements throughout the Borough. Last year the Borough received $8,000 in rebates through New Jersey’s Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebate Program for converting 2 of its service vehicles to hybrids. Last month, the Borough announced that it has been awarded $33,168 by the N.J. Board of Public Utilities (B.P.U.) to perform energy-efficiency audits of municipal buildings. And most recently, Mayor Reiman joined with the Borough’s Engineering Department to announce that the anticipated Health and Wellness Center, now under construction, has had over $500,000 in “green” elements implemented within its design.
“If you live in any urban region, you’ve likely come to recognize the environmental impact of industry and automotive transportation,” Mayor Reiman has stated. “We understand the importance of green standards, and the value of implementing them within our services and buildings. Help Light NJ is to be commended for their efforts towards the promotion of cost-saving and environmentally safe retrofits for homeowners, and for raising awareness with regards to clean energy standards.”
Mayor Reiman was joined by a representative from Help Light NJ to launch the program, at the Carteret Ethnic Day Festival on Saturday September 19, at Carteret Park. A Q&A and informational material was offered, and approximately 6,000 CFL light bulbs were distributed.
