[Press Release] : FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Earth Hour 2012

[Press Releases]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Barbara Buffaloe
Office of Sustainability
(573) 817-5025


Earth Hour 2012

COLUMBIA, MO (March 28, 2012) - Citizens are encouraged to turn off lights and non-essential electricity in homes and buildings to take part in a symbolic "wave of darkness" Saturday, March 31, from 8:30-9:30 p.m. This year's Earth Hour is the fifth annual international, voluntary darkening. 

Last year's event resulted in a significant drop in electricity usage for the city. Columbia Water & Light estimated that the electric load from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. on March 26, 2011, resulted in a 2.5 megawatt drop in Columbia's electric load. The 2.5 megawatts of electricity is equivalent to the amount of power used by 98 homes in Columbia in an average day. In 2010, Columbia's electric load dropped 1.58 megawatts during Earth Hour. In 2009 there was a reduction of 1.27 megawatts and in 2008 there were 1.72 megawatts shed.

A kickoff event to celebrate Earth Hour was held March 22. Mayor Bob McDavid's proclamation was read by Councilwoman Barbara Hoppe and there was a tour of City Hall's sustainable features.

Columbians are encouraged to let the Office of Sustainability know what they are doing to celebrate Earth Hour by emailing Sustainability Manager Barbara Buffaloe at BaBuffal at GoColumbiaMo.com. For more information about this global event, visit www.earthhour.org. For more information about the local event, visit www.GoColumbiaMo.com and search "Earth Hour."


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