PORT ST. LUCIE - Since its kick off on Earth Day, the "Change a Light St. Lucie" campaign has been highly successful. With a push from St. Lucie County's Environmental Resources Department and the Oxbow Eco-Center, 445 people have pledged to change 1,927 light bulbs to energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL) in St. Lucie County.

This commitment represents an energy cost savings of more than $50,000 and eliminates almost 800,000 pounds of greenhouse gases. CFLs use 75 percent less energy than the incandescent bulbs and produce less heat.

St. Lucie County's Community Services Department has donated CFL bulbs to dozens of low-income families, including providing 77 bulbs to families through the Salvation Army. The Fort Pierce Utilities Authority is also a partner under the campaign, encouraging its customers to change a light by giving away CFLs. Some of the CFL bulbs given away by St. Lucie County were donated by the Wal-Mart Distribution Center.

The Oxbow Eco-Center would like to encourage all residents and businesses to help promote the "Change a Light" campaign to their neighbors, employees and customers. To find out more about "Change a Light St. Lucie" visit www.stlucieco.gov and click on the information box in the upper right-hand corner. There is also a new section on the county's website that offers easy and useful tips for "Going Green" on the homepage in the lower right-hand corner.

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