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Energy efficient light bulbs being distributed

By Blackwell Thomas, The Southern

Thursday, November 27, 2008 10:34 PM CST

CARBONDALE - Part of the 2007 deal state lawmakers reached with Ameren in response to electric rate price spikes required the company to provide energy efficiency education to customers.

That effort has included the company giving energy efficient light bulbs to those legislators whose districts are served by Ameren. From there, the bulbs are distributed by lawmakers to needy persons.

State Rep. Mike Bost, a Murphysboro Republican, and State Sen. Dave Luechtefeld, a Republican from Okawville, have been handing out the bulbs for months.

"I don't know how many cases of bulbs have been distributed, but it's been cases," Bost said. "We made sure our office staff got them to the right places."

The "right places," Bost said, are spots where need is greatest like senior citizens' homes and food pantries.

"We are taking them to senior citizen homes and community centers and handing them over there and just getting the word out that they (the light bulbs) are there," he said. "We just finished getting them all out this week."

Bost said the impact of the efficient bulbs is far reaching.

"The real value is that everybody can use the savings of not having to purchase a light bulb,' he said. "But these are the high-efficiency light bulbs, which obviously saves electricity. But we are also encouraging people to get away from old-style bulbs. And, put them (efficient bulbs) in, you realize that they last longer and use one-third of the energy."

Ameren spokesperson Victoria Busch said she didn't have the exact number of how many bulbs the company has given to lawmakers.

Bost said he's dropped off thousands while Luechtefeld said he's not done giving out the bulbs.

"I still have some in my office," he said. "What I try to do as I go around the district is take them to different communities give them to senior citizen centers and distribute them to whoever they think is most needy."

Luechtefeld pointed out it was the need for lower rates and greater cost savings that prompted Ameren to begin the giveaway.

"Ameren is coming at it from the standpoint of energy efficiency," he said. "But their public relations obviously aren't the best right now, so it helps with that and energy efficiency."

At the Murphysboro Food Pantry, Director Jack Cunneen said he's distributed hundreds of lights.

"You'd be surprised how many we've given away," he said. "Everybody says 'You know how much those cost?' But they last so much longer. They are glad to get them."

blackwell.thomas@thesouthern.com

351-5823