TITLE
Recommendation to request City Council declare "Lights Out Long Beach" to coincide with the County's "Lights Out Los Angeles"; that City Manager determine which lights in municipal buildings and public landmarks can be turned off; and that City Manager work with residents, local businesses and organizations to solicit their participation.
DISCUSSION
The traditional incandescent light bulb is not an efficient device. Only 5 percent of the energy used to power the incandescent light bulb is actually converted to light while the other 95 percent is emitted as heat. Incandescent light bulbs cost more in electric bills, require a greater source of our energy supply, and arrive at our landfills faster. Replacing a regular 75 watt regular incandescent light with a 20 watt fluorescent bulb would prevent 1300 pounds of carbon dioxide from being pumped into the atmosphere by electric plants.
In an effort to raise awareness about energy efficiency and significantly conserve energy, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors proclaimed "Lights Out Los Angeles" urging people throughout the County to replace one incandescent light bulb with one compact fluorescent light bulb and switch off all nonessential lights for one hour on Saturday, October 20,2007, from 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm. This effort coincides with similar efforts in the Cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Sydney, Australia originally conducted the event in March, during which 2.2 million people cut the lights, causing a 10 percent drop in electricity use. Sydney's Earth Hour reduced 24 tons of carbon dioxide, equivalent to taking nearly 48,000 cars off the road for 60 minutes.
The County of Los Angeles estimates that turning off the lights for one hour could save as much as 10-15 percent of the energy consumed on an average Saturday night.
The government, people and businesses in the City of Long Beach should participate in this effort to conserve energy and promote energy efficiency alternatives. Inc...
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