November 12, 2007 - The City of Knoxville announced that they have again joined the ENERGY STAR® Change a Light, Change the World campaign, a growing community of corporations, cities, utilities, manufacturers, individuals, and countless others who have made a firm commitment to change the world, one light - one energy-saving step - at a time. .

As part of this national movement, the City of Knoxville Public Service Division has volunteered to encourage 100 individuals to pledge to replace at least one incandescent bulb or fixture at home with one that has earned the government's ENERGY STAR label - as a first step to preserve our energy resources and environment. The City hopes to achieve their goal on or before April 22, 2008, Earth Day. 100 pledges could save 28,200 kWh and prevent 44,600 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions.

"Like many organizations, we want to do our part to create a better environment," said Mayor Bill Haslam. "Participating in this national campaign is both easy and effective. We are proud to spread the word about the simple steps individuals in our community can take to make a difference. Last year we surpassed our goal of 100 pledges by 30 additional pledges".

The City of Knoxville Public Service Division will take an active role in encouraging individuals to make a simple, yet meaningful commitment by taking the online ENERGY STAR Change a Light Pledge. With lighting accounting for about 20 percent of the typical home's electricity use, switching to energy-efficient options is a significant way to reduce greenhouse gases, save energy and protect the environment for future generations. To be part of The City of Knoxville's efforts, take the pledge online here.

"Committing to change the world takes less time and energy than you might think. In fact, it can start with simply changing a light," said Wendy Reed of the Environmental Protection Agency. "Cities like The City of Knoxville are an important part of the ENERGY STAR Change a Light community who have committed their time to help us spread the word about the ENERGY STAR Change a Light Pledge and we are proud to work with them, and with the thousands of Americans who've already taken the pledge to make a difference for this generation and those to come."

The ENERGY STAR Change a Light, Change the World campaign is a national call-to-action sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Energy and Department of Housing and Urban Development to encourage Americans to use energy efficiently at home and to start by switching to lighting options that have earned the government's ENERGY STAR label for energy efficiency. If every American home replaced just one light with an ENERGY STAR, every year we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes, more than $600 million in energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars.

About ENERGY STAR®

ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce air pollution through increased energy efficiency. Today, with assistance from the U.S. Department of Energy, the ENERGY STAR program offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy and money, and help protect our environment for future generations. More than 8,000 organizations have become ENERGY STAR partners and are committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).