Lightbulb Moment at City Hall

This is pretty cool. Free lightbulbs! Ch-check it:

Council Member Sheryl Cole helps launch lightbulb initiative that will help Austinites save energy, money

In a major public-private partnership, Council Member Sheryl Cole today announced that H-E-B grocery will partner in Austin Energy’s energy-saving Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb Program.
This program, which provides a $2 coupon off the cost of a CFL at the point of sale, will be available at all H-E-B stores in the Austin Energy service area beginning Saturday, April 14. To launch the partnership, H-E-B will distribute 3,000 free CFLs at five stores throughout Austin starting at 10 a.m. Saturday.
“After the Mayor released his Climate Protection Plan, I wanted to find a simple way to allow more people, regardless of income, to do their part in slowing down global climate change,” Cole said. “I asked H-E-B to help and they have not only agreed to participate in Austin Energy’s coupon program, but they have generously donated 3,000 light bulbs to the citizens of Austin to get us all on the path of going green. This is a bright idea for consumers and for the environment.”

CFLs are 66 percent more efficient than regular incandescent light bulbs and last about 6,000 hours, or 6 to10 times longer than incandescent bulbs. CFLs produce 70 percent less heat than standard light bulbs thus reducing the need to spend more money on air conditioning.
Lasting on average four to seven years, CFLs can save consumers $20 to $30 in energy costs over the life of the bulb.
"Last year, Austin Energy distributed more than 27,000 CFLs, saving 2.4 million pounds of greenhouse gases from being pumped into the atmosphere,” Mayor Will Wynn said. “H-E-B's participation in our CFL program and its generous promotional giveaway will be a big help to our efforts under the Austin Climate Protection Plan. I'm personally grateful to H-E-B and Council Member Cole for their leadership on this important issue."
H-E-B welcomes the opportunity to help the environment, a company spokesperson said.
“H-E-B has made a serious commitment to the City of Austin to do our part as a corporate citizen to go green and help our customers make simple changes that encourage energy efficiency,” said Susan Ghertner, H-E-B Environmental Affairs Manager. “Switching to CFLs saves money and saves energy. We see everybody winning in this partnership, especially our customers who will have an opportunity to make a difference,”
Austin H-E-B stores participating in the free CFL distribution on April 14 include:
2701 E. Seventh St.. (Council Member Cole will be at this East Austin store at 10 a.m. Saturday)
1000 E. 41st St. (Hancock Center)
7025 Village Center Drive, (Far West)
2400 S. Congress Ave., (Congress and Oltorf Street)
5800-A Slaughter Lane, 78749 (Slaughter and Escarpment Boulevard)
The free CFL distribution begins at 10 a.m. and will continue while supplies last. In addition, Austin Energy officials will be available at each store to answer questions about CFLs. Coupons for CFLs purchased will be available at all H-E-B stores in the Austin Energy service area.