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Town has bright idea to reduce energy costs
"We have to do everything within our power to decrease Co2 emissions and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels," said Bellone whose administration has undertaken a 12x12 initiative to reduce carbon dioxide emissions 12 percent by 2012. "It is absolutely incredible what a difference a single light bulb can make, and how much we can save and conserve by putting these bulbs in all of our light fixtures." The bulbs will be distributed by volunteers and are paid for by Wal-Mart and Breslin Realty. The idea for the free giveaway was originally raised by North Babylon science teacher Kenny Luna who helped distribute 5,500 free CFLs to North Babylon students through his program, "Mr. Luna's Bright Idea." "I am very proud that the Town is taking up Mr. Luna's Bright Idea, because I do believe that we need to create awareness of Global Warming and make the public understand that there are steps that every person can take to stop it," said Luna. Bellone said he hoped Town residents will go out and purchase even more bulbs once they try the one given to them by the Town. "If the savings is so dramatic with a single bulb, imagine what we can do if every homeowner changes every bulb in their home to the CFLbulbs," said Bellone, who estimated that energy savings alone in that case would be more than $625 million in energy costs over five years. "This is doing something for the environment in a meaningful way," he said, standing on the front steps of Town Hall on Earth Day. Joining Bellone at the press conference announcing the initiative was Ann Aurellio, a local environmental advocate. "(Supervisor) Steve Bellone understands that we have to protect the environment and is taking things a step further than most other towns," she said. "We all have to look for more answers. We have a wake up call, but unfortunately most of the county is asleep." The CFLbulb contains a small amount of mercury, a contaminant and some have criticized use of the bulb as solving one problem, while creating another- pollution at landfills and waste facilities. Bellone reported that the Town would be addressing that, moving forward with a Stop Throwing Out Pollutants (STOP) program. That program would provide a safe method of disposing of the bulbs, as well as other items such as oil, paint and other chemicals.
"Whenever you do something like this, there's always a trade off," said Dorian Dale, the Town's energy director. "But the fact is that there is only 4mgs. of mercury in the light bulb. Compare that to a thermostat that has 300mgs."
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