News Room

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 27, 2007

Columbus, OH -- Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher today praised the efforts of a Lima sixth-grader who advocated energy-saving techniques in her home, which reduced her family's household energy spending by $5,700. Sandra Walton will be officially recognized on March 29th by the Ohio Department of Development's Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE) and the Alliance to Save Energy (ASE), a non-profit coalition of business, government, environmental and consumer leaders that teach children the benefits of energy efficiency through its "Energy Hog" campaign.

"Sandra's story is an encouraging sign that Ohio's youth recognize the benefits of exploring energy-saving techniques to not only benefit our environment, but to keep money in the pockets of Ohio families," said Lt. Governor Fisher, who also serves as Director of the Ohio Department of Development. "It is exciting to see our children teaching their parents and others how to advance their thinking and make positive changes in their homes and communities."

Over the course of several months, Sandra petitioned her family to change 85 incandescent light bulbs to ENERGY STAR compact fluorescent (CFLs) bulbs. The CFLs provide bright, warm light and use at least two-thirds less energy than standard light bulbs, generate 70 percent less heat and last up to 10 times longer. Based on the Walton family's data and today's energy prices, ASE estimates that the family will save about $5,700 in energy costs over the life of the new CFLs .

To congratulate Sandra on her accomplishment, OEE will present her with a plaque during a ceremony at Shawnee Middle School and will bring ASE's "Energy Hog" to meet Sandra and her classmates. The students will teach the "Energy Hog" energy-saving techniques.

"Sandra has set an example that everyone should follow starting today," said ASE President Kateri Callahan. "If every home in America switched just one incandescent bulb to a CFL, we would save enough energy to light seven million homes and reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking one million cars off the road for a year."

The Ohio Department of Development's Office of Energy Efficiency works with individuals, communities, non-profit organizations, businesses large and small, industry and other government agencies to achieve a robust economy supported by multiple energy sources, energy efficiency and advanced technology with added value for the quality of life for all Ohioans.

The Alliance to Save Energy is a Washington, D.C. based coalition of prominent business, government, environmental and consumer leaders who promote the efficient and clean use of energy worldwide to benefit consumers, the environment, economy and national security.

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Media contacts: Erica Revish, ODOD, at (614) 644-1931 or Maria Ellingson, ASE, at (303) 333-4570