Utah State University Supports Governor's Call

Richard E. Kendell, commissioner of the Utah System or Higher Education, has requested that higher education institutions across the state support Gov. Jon Huntsman, Jr. in the call for  “Lights Off Utah.”

Students, faculty and staff are requested to follow the guidelines suggested by Gov. Huntsman. Darrell Hart, associate vice president for facilities at USU, said officials from USU Housing will ask students to reduce their lighting between 9-10 p.m. All chillers on campus will be taken off line during that period. Those working late are asked to complete tasks by 9 p.m. as well.

 

Below is the press release from the governor’s office.

 

September 12, 2007

Contact: Lisa Roskelley

Governor’s Spokeswoman

Office (801) 538-1503 Cell (801) 560-0137

 

Governor Huntsman Encourages “Lights Off Utah”

 

Salt Lake City – Governor Jon Huntsman is joining local businesses and governments in support of “Lights Off Utah” – an energy demonstration focused on portraying the positive impact using less energy can have on all Utahns and the state. On September 19 from 9 pm to 10 pm all Utahns are encouraged to turn off all lights within their homes and businesses.

 

“Each individual can make a difference and Lights Off Utah enables us to see the impact of all those individual actions,” said Governor Huntsman. “Wise use of our energy resources is vital as our state continues to grow in terms of our economy and population. I encourage every Utahn to participate in this effort.”

 

“Lights Off Utah” is intended to demonstrate how much energy can be saved and how carbon emissions can be eliminated through the simple act of turning off all lights statewide for one hour. Utahns are being asked to turn-off non-essential lighting in their homes for one hour. State and local governments will also support the effort by turning off lights in office buildings and other structures. Essential lighting, including street lights, traffic lights and hospital lighting, will remain on during the initiative.Many State facilities have hard-wired safety lighting that will also be maintained. According to Rocky Mountain Power, if 750,000 residential or commercial unites turned off just five 60-watt bulbs for an hour, enough energy would be saved to run every appliance in 1,300 homes for a week.

 

“The Lights Off Utah event will allow all of North America to see visually what can be done when each of us becomes consciously aware of energy waste and that Utah is leading the way,” said Dan Furner, eCube Energy Vice President of Public Relations and Marketing. “Turning off non-essential lighting is the easiest, most effective first step.

 

The initiative is being organized by eCube Energy and the Nightside Project on KSL NewsRadio. Other organizations supporting the event include the State of Utah, Utah League of Cities and Towns, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Salt Lake Chamber/Downtown Alliance, Rocky Mountain Power, Comcast and Utah Clean Energy.