As October - Energy Awareness Month - draws to a close, the State of Michigan is in the top five organizations nationwide that have pledged to change from incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and to take other energy efficiency measures.

"Michigan energy customers know a bright idea when they see one," said MPSC Commissioner Monica Martinez, who last month kicked off the first statewide program to promote the use of CFLs in Michigan.  Supported in part by a grant by the MPSC, that program offered 500,000 CFLs for as little as 99 cents a piece at participating Meijer, Kroger, and Menards stores statewide, as well as 10 Ace Hardware stores in the greater Lansing area and in the Upper Peninsula.

"Michigan is number five overall among the 350 organizations that are registered as EnergyStar pledge drive sponsors," Martinez noted.   "Actions that people have pledged to take will result in huge savings for Michigan customers:  $614,833, 4.4 million kilowatt-hours, and 7.9 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions."

Martinez added that pledges will continue to be taken until April 22, 2009 - Earth Day.   Michigan residents can take the "Change a Light" pledge by visiting the Web siteand selecting "State of Michigan" as the organization that referred them.

More information about ENERGY STAR is also available toll-free by calling 1-888-STAR-YES or on their Web site:  energystar.gov/changetheworld .

CFLs contain a small amount of mercury, so it is important to dispose of them properly.  The Michigan Department of Community Health has a helpful fact sheet that contains information on proper disposal:  michigan.gov/documents/mdch/CFL_Fact_Sheet_193840_7.pdf .

The MPSC is an agency within the Department of Labor & Economic Growth.