Spencerport Municipal Electric
gives energy saving bulbs to customers

The Spencerport Municipal Electric (SME), in conjunction with the Independent Energy Efficiency Program, Inc. (IEEP), will give two Energy Star labeled compact fluorescent bulbs to electric franchise customers at no charge. The IEEP facilitates the installation of energy efficient technologies with municipal utilities in New York state.

The SME has been offering energy efficiency programs to commercial and residential customers since the mid 1990's. Jack Linder, Electric Superintendent, Spencerport Municipal Electric, stated, "The SME has created a series of win-win situations by working with the IEEP. We assist our customers by offering energy efficient products like compact fluorescent bulbs, which in turn has a positive effect on the environment, reducing our customer's electric costs, and our peak load. The franchise maintains some of the lowest electric rates in the country and by participating in these programs we are demonstrating our respect for preferential hydroelectric energy that we receive."

These 20-watt compact fluorescent bulbs generate the same amount of light as a 75-watt incandescent bulb, will last about 5,000 hours longer, and will still provide high quality and pleasant lighting. By offering these bulbs to customers, the SME hopes to encourage their customers to continue to make energy efficient improvements to their homes.

Electric customers can receive their two Energy Star Bulbs by bringing a copy of their current (March 2003) Spencerport Electric bill to Ritchie Family Hardware, located at 129 South Union Street, Spencerport. The bulbs will be available at Ritchie Hardware after April 7.