Lights out at the Capitol this Saturday during ‘Earth Hour’
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Gov. Steve Beshear and First Lady Jane Beshear have again pledged to participate for a second year in the international “Earth Hour,” sponsored by the World Wildlife Federation. Earth Hour is in an international call to action that directs lights be turned off for one hour in recognition of climate change.
“Dimming the lights in our Capitol is a symbolic gesture that demonstrates state government’s continued commitment to increasing efficiency and decreasing our carbon footprint,” said Gov. Steve Beshear. “I am proud of the great accomplishments Kentucky has made in the past few years in energy conservation measures, but we must all continue to adjust our habits and lifestyles to help protect our environment and lessen our energy dependence.”
On Saturday, March 27 beginning at 8:30 p.m. EDT, lights on the state Capitol campus including the Capitol Dome and the spotlights that illuminate the exterior Capitol walls, the Capitol Annex and the Governor’s Mansion, will go dark as state government joins people all over the world in a stand for energy savings and the global environment.
“I strongly encourage all Kentuckians to make changes in their homes and their lifestyles that will increase energy efficiency and decrease our impact on the environment just as we have done in the Governor’s Mansion,” said Mrs. Beshear. “I hope that many Kentuckians will join us and tens of millions of other individuals, governments and businesses from across the world on Saturday in turning off their lights to support Earth Hour.”
Reducing energy use in government buildings is a critical element of “Intelligent Energy Choices for Kentucky’s Future,” the state’s first-ever comprehensive strategy for energy independence. In that plan, Gov. Beshear set ambitious, aggressive goals for the reduction of energy use in public facilities. By 2015, state facilities will reduce their energy consumption by 15 percent and 25 percent by 2025. By 2025, public facilities will reduce their carbon footprint by 50 percent.
“Something as simple as turning off lights when we leave a room can achieve significant monetary and environmental benefits,” said Energy and Environment Cabinet Sec. Len Peters. “I encourage businesses across Kentucky to make the effort to do an energy audit and I know they will be surprised with the steps they can take to save money while helping our environment.”
In February 2009, Gov. Beshear ordered that state office buildings use a night and weekend setback plan to reduce lighting, heating and air conditioning costs when state offices are closed. At the same time, Gov. Beshear also released regulations to implement the High Performance Building Standards that were passed by the 2008 General Assembly. Under these standards, all new construction and major renovations of state facilities must be designed to meet LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) or Energy Star standards. Only 16 other states and the District of Columbia require such progressive energy efficiency standards for their state buildings.
“The buildings guidelines put forth by Gov. Beshear make the Commonwealth standout as a national vanguard of greening public facilities,” said Finance and Administration Cabinet Secretary Jonathan Miller. “While turning out the Capitol lights for one hour is meant to be symbolic, our long-term commitment to reducing energy use and carbon emissions shows we’re serious about addressing the global climate change crisis.”
More than 121 countries and 3,100 cities, towns and municipalities have pledged to show their support for reduced energy consumption by flipping their light switches off during Earth Hour 2010.
In the United States, 31 states and 150 cities and municipalities have officially confirmed their participation. Several national monuments and iconic landmarks will also go dark during the observance including: the Las Vegas strip, Mt. Rushmore, Niagara Falls, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Empire State Building. International landmarks such as Big Ben, the Great Pyramids, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Sydney Opera House and the Eiffel Tower will also take part.
Frankfort Mayor Gippy Graham said that the city will also cut off all non-essential lights in the city buildings on Saturday in conjunction with Earth Hour.
“The city of Frankfort is pleased to participate in this initiative again this year,” said Mayor Graham. “I feel its incumbent upon each of us, whether individually, or as a local or state government, to demonstrate that energy conservation is critical to help improve the world in which we live.”
For more information about Earth Hour 2010, visit http://www.myearthhour.org/.
