CUB, CFLs Help ‘Serious’ Environmentalist Get Greener
Tuesday, November 25, 2008—As a member of an Evanston environmental group, Citizens for a Greener Evanston, Celia Michener makes it her mission to promote energy efficiency in her community. That’s why she took CUB’s “Get Green” pledge to use at least one energy-saving Compact Fluorescent Light bulb (CFL) in her second-floor Evanston apartment.
Frustrated by the lack of control she had over her apartment’s electric bills, the 66-year-old retiree was delighted to find out that she was November’s winner of a month’s free electricity, courtesy of CUB.
“Oh, fantastic! That’s wonderful,” said Michener.
She took CUB’s pledge at a June event where the organization was giving away free CFLs.
“I’m serious about this stuff,” said Michener. “I’ve changed not just one light bulb, but every light bulb in the apartment. I even changed the owner’s porch light downstairs.”
CUB and CFLs have helped Michener regain some power over her power bills. But what will Michener do with the extra cash not going to this month’s electric bill?
“I’m trying to buy a house,” said Michener, laughing. “I’ll fill it up with CFL light bulbs.”
While the savings may not add up to a new house, Michener’s energy-conservation measures have helped her cut down energy bills in an apartment where “the heat just goes right out the walls.”
Take CUB’s pledge and you too could win a month of free electricity or 50 money-saving bulbs. At the end of the year, the community with the highest percentage of pledges will win up to 10,000 CFLs.