Free Energy-saving Lightbulbs for Cheticamp

People in Cheticamp, Inverness Co., will be able to save energy and money thanks to a lightbulb giveaway happening on Sunday, June 4.

The energy-saving lightbulbs will be distributed door-to-door as part of project "Éclairez-Vous," or "Lighten Up".

It was organized by the Nova Scotia Youth Conservation Corps, part of the Department of Environment and Labour, in partnership with Nova Scotia Power and the Department of Energy.

Twenty Grade 10, 11 and 12 students from Notre-Dame-de- L'Assomption school will distribute 1,500 packages containing two energy-efficient light bulbs and an information pamphlet.

The project will encourage people to be more aware of their energy consumption and teach ways to reduce it.

Saving energy helps preserve the environment. Also, using longer-lasting bulbs means fewer used lightbulbs will end up in a landfill.

The spiral, white-light bulbs require less energy than ordinary round bulbs, yet they produce the same amount of light.

"This project demonstrates how much our young people care about the environment," said Carolyn Bolivar-Getson, Minister of Environment and Labour. "We need to continue to find innovative ways to promote good environmental practices to people of all ages."

Minister of Energy Bill Dooks said there are two big benefits to this project.

"The students are helping to reduce dependence on electricity and they are learning a valuable lesson about energy conservation," he said.

The Lighten Up project was developed by Joeleen Larade, formerly of Cheticamp. She based the project on a similar one in Ottawa.

"I was excited at the chance to reduce our impact on the environment and to give something back to the community where I grew up," said Ms. Larade.

The students will begin delivering the packages at 8 a.m. on June 4.

For more information about the Nova Scotia Youth Conservation Corps go to www.gov.ns.ca/enla/youth .