Project Porchlight Blog

The annual Italian Festival in Ocean, New Jersey, sponsored by the Italian American Association of the Township of Ocean (IAATO), features delicious food, rides, games, a petting zoo, and a pasta-eating contest. This year’s event, held on August 11-15, also featured a strolling Italian street band and, of course, a Frank Sinatra tribute concert. Best of all, the monies raised from the event go to the IAATO Scholarship Fund, which helps deserving students through college.

On August 14, Project Porchlight was also on hand to educate folks about the energy savings offered by compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs as well as the energy efficiency programs that are available through New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program (NJCEP).

A total of 196 CFL bulbs were distributed at the festival, part of Project Porchlight New Jersey’s campaign to distribute energy-efficient light bulbs to residents across the state. Project Porchlight is an initiative of One Change, and the campaign is made possible thanks to funding by the state Board of Public Utilities (BPU) and the NJCEP.

Michele Petito, Secretary for Ocean’s Environmental and Shade Tree Commission, was pleased to bring Project Porchlight to Ocean. “Project Porchlight is a great idea,” she says. “If people have the opportunity to try out these CFL bulbs, they get hooked on them.”

CFL bulbs use up to 75 percent less energy than old-fashioned incandescent bulbs. Choosing CFL bulbs means lower costs, reduced demand for electricity, and, ultimately, less pollution.

“We have to conserve. It’s the right thing to do for our environment,” says Michele. “The more people are exposed to CFL bulbs, the more they’ll come on board.”

When it comes to protecting our environment, simple actions really do matter!
Even something as simple as changing a light bulb can make a difference. By connecting with state residents one at a time, Project Porchlight is empowering people of all backgrounds to make smart, energy-efficient choices that protect the environment.

“Energy conservation is the way to go,” says Michele. “Project Porchlight is helping people understand this.”