SANTEE - Santee State Park got a lesson on how to save energy and money from the Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina Inc. with the organizations donation of 260 compact fluorescent light bulbs.

 

The cooperative donated the CFLs as part of its Do the Light Switch conservation program. They will replace the old incandescent bulbs being used at the park.

Switching the light bulbs will substantially reduce our utility costs. As stewards of the state parks, we are also stewards of our resources, Santee State Park Manager Nathan Maiwald said.

Maiwald and representatives of Tri-County, Black River, Berkeley and Santee electric cooperatives were on hand to change light bulbs in Cabin 30 at Santee State Park.

The program, which extends to all 47 state parks, also calls for each household served by a South Carolina electric cooperative to receive two free CFLs. The cooperatives expect to place 1.2 million of the free CFL bulbs in members homes in the coming year.

A total of 4,300 bulbs, with a monetary value of more than $7,000, will be donated to the parks operated by the State Park Service.

The CFL bulbs use approximately a fourth of the energy used by standard incandescent bulbs, saving approximately $30 over the lifetime of each 60-watt-equivalent bulb. That will translate to approximately $260,000 in savings over the lifetime of the 4,300 bulbs donated to the parks by the electric cooperatives.

The cooperatives said that one bulb over its lifetime will prevent more than 450 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions, or the equivalent of burning nearly 200 pounds of coal. The CFLs are being provided by Central Electric Power Cooperative, which supplies and transmits power to the states 20 independent, member-owned electric cooperatives.

Switching to CFLs is the number one measure we can take to reduce power use and save our consumers money without asking them to change their lifestyles, said Ron Calcaterra, chief executive officer of Central Electric Power Cooperative.

Since many of our state parks are served by electric cooperatives, well actually be able to reduce demand on our electric system, which will benefit all consumers, Calcaterra said.

Chad Prosser, director of the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, said the program is helping his agency to set an example on the importance of protecting the environment.

As custodians of our states most significant natural resources, it is important that we lead by example. This generous donation from South Carolinas electric cooperatives helps us to demonstrate sustainable environmental practices in one more way, Prosser said.

For more information on the program, visit online at www.DoTheLightSwitch.com.

T&D Correspondent Shirley Upton can be reached by e-mail at writer@ntinet.com. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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