Each month the Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) spends almost $2 million on energy, the University of Louisville spends nearly $1 million on energy, and Louisville Metro Government spends approximately $1.5 million on energy to power its buildings and fleets. In addition to the economic cost, energy use has environmental and public health impacts. We can reduce energy use by 10% by changing how each of us uses it. While simple, the following actions can have a huge impact. These include:

1. Turn off lights, computers (JCPS and UofL) radios and other electronic devices when not in use. Lights represent 22% and computers 20% of our electrical use.

2. Every day in Jefferson County we drive 24 million miles, use petroleum, which is a non-renewable resource, and pollute our atmosphere. Take the school bus and or carpool as often as possible. Metro Employees and UofL can ride TARC free by showing their ID cards.

3. JCPS has 40,000 computers and UofL has 15,000 computers. By changing each one to hibernate when not in use, we could save $6.80 per computer, or $370,000 annually. To learn how to set your PC to hibernation mode go to http://www.energy-solution.com/off-equip/configw98.html

4. A typical classroom or office needs 30-40 foot candles of light. On sunny days, windows can usually provide this much light. Before turning on a switch, assess whether additional light is needed.

5. A compact fluorescent light uses 75% less energy, lasts 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs, and over its lifetime prevents 1300 pounds of carbon dioxide from being generated.

6. Manufacturing new products from recycled material saves between 30-95% of the energy required to manufacture those goods from virgin materials. Recycle!

7. The amount of fuel consumed to restart a car is the equivalent of idling 20-60 seconds. Idling longer than this wastes fuel. An idling engine produces more emissions than a moving car.

8. Learn how you can save energy at: www.louisvilleky.gov/GoGreen/save_energy.htm
    Estimate your carbon footprint:  http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ind_calculator.html
    Calculate your carbon footprint at: www.nature.org/initiatives/climatechange/calculator