What is “Light Right?
Berkshire Brigades’ “Light Right” Program encourages individuals to switch at least two regular incandescent bulbs in their homes to highly efficient compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). Because CFLs only use 1/3 the energy, they help to reduce greenhouse gases as well as our reliance on imported oil and dirty coal. In simple terms, every time you swap 60 watt bulb for a CFL, you save almost a barrel of oil over the life of the bulb.
What are the other benefits?
Normally, Democrats only talk to people during an election year. By encouraging CFL use, Berkshire Brigades is able to reach out to new groups of people and engage them in a discussion of public importance while proving that Democrats care about climate change.
What is the benefit of CFLs to me personally?
You save money. Besides helping to resolve the global warming crisis, you benefit at a practical level, saving $40 - $50 over the life of the bulb because of reduced energy costs (and the lamps last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs.) Through “Light Right.” CFLs cost you only $1.
CFLs only cost $1? Sounds too good to be true.
Believe it because it is true. The real cost of CFLs is well over $1 per bulb, but the electric utilities in Berkshire County offer a rebate program that reduces the cost to $1, the same price at which we sell them to the public. To make this program work:
- We need your name and address to show that you are a resident of Berkshire County, i.e., to show you qualify for the rebate.
- We process the rebates through the Center for Ecological Technology in Pittsfield.
- If you are outside Berkshire County: (1) Check to see if your electric utility offers a similar program; and (2) check with local hardware stores to see if you can purchase bulbs at a reduced price from them.
How can my local Democratic Committee get started?
If you want to join this environmentally important, money-saving program, just contact us and we’ll help you get started. Berkshire Brigades will:
- Provide program background
- Provide a handout
- Outline issues you may encounter
- Advise when and where to sell
- bulbs for maximum impact
- Facilitate acquisition of the bulbs
- Answer your questions
Could my church, youth group or civic organization sell CFLs as a fundraiser?
Yes! It is a great fundraiser. We suggest the CFLs be sold for $2 each; half would go to your group. You still have to collect names and addresses, though, to show qualification for the rebate. We will help you get started.
A word about CFL disposal
There has been a lot of confusion and misinformation about CFL disposal. The truth: Because CFLs contain a tiny amount of mercury (equal to the tip of a ball point pen), dispose of them as you would any hazardous waste (like other tube fluorescents, batteries, thermostats, or thermometers). Watch the paper for periodic collections or contact your town hall or transfer station for details. If a CFL breaks in your home: 1.) open the window and leave the room for 15 minutes; 2.) wearing gloves, scoop up fragments and powder with a stiff piece of paper or duct or sticky tape, then wipe the area with a damp paper towel. Place cleaning materials and broken pieces in a plastic bag, seal it, and dispose as you would a burned out bulb. Wash your hands. When vacuuming the first time after the break, remove the bag or wipe clean the canister and put the bag/cleaning material in two plastic bags and dispose of in an outside trash container.
The bottom line
When you use a CFL, you are using less electricity. This helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, our dependence on foreign oil, and – in the case of coal-burning power plants – overall emission of mercury. Indeed, coal-burning power plants account for roughly 40% of the mercury emissions in this country. So use care and your good judgment. Dispose of CFLs in a responsible manner – the way you do with other toxic and hazardous matter – and help to resolve serious climate, pollution, and national security issues.
If I have questions about participating?
Contact Sue Langman, the “Light Right” program coordinator. She can be reached at redsue1215@aol.com. Reference “CFLs’ as the subject matter.
NOTE: Berkshire Brigades announced the “Light Right” program at our “Energy Independence in the Berkshires” forum early this year. Since then we have sold bulbs at the Berkshire County Democratic Breakfast and at the state Democratic Convention, as well as at town meetings and landfills. And we will continue to sell bulbs at events throughout the summer and autumn.
This is a great opportunity to grow the party while saving money … and the planet. So be sure to display Democratic Committee signs/stickers to ensure that the people know that Democrats care about the environment AND that we are doing something about it!
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