The West Orange Eco-Energy Fair [1] held May 3 in West Orange, New Jersey, featured green vendors, workshops, and demonstrations, all aimed at helping attendees learn to reduce their energy consumption. Speakers included West Orange Mayor John F. McKeon [2] (pictured here, left) as well as New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection [3] Commissioner Mark Mauriello [4].

Project Porchlight was also on hand to explain the benefits of energy-saving compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. A number of new volunteers were recruited at the event. They will join Project Porchlight New Jersey’s campaign to distribute nearly one million free energy-efficient light bulbs to residents across the state. Project Porchlight is an initiative of One Change [5], and the campaign is made possible thanks to funding by the state Board of Public Utilities (BPU) [6] and New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program (NJCEP) [7].

Mayor McKeon was thrilled to have Project Porchlight at the Eco-Energy Fair. “The West Orange Eco-Energy Fair demonstrates that individual steps and increased community involvement make a big difference in the fight against global warming,” he says. “Project Porchlight’s participation shows residents the importance of making smart energy choices in their daily lives and illustrates that simple actions, like replacing old-fashioned incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient CFL bulbs, helps reduce energy use and saves money.”

“Project Porchlight has been instrumental in raising awareness throughout our community,” adds Mayor McKeon. “We look forward to their participation in future eco-environmental campaigns.”

When it comes to protecting our environment, simple actions matter. Even something as simple as changing a light bulb is important. “Every little thing matters, and it all adds together into a big thing,” says Mary Ellen Morrow, a member of the West Orange Energy Commission [8]. “I think Project Porchlight is a fantastic idea. People are really responsive to the idea of switching to these CFL bulbs because everyone is hungry to do something positive, just to be able to make a difference themselves. The whole idea is wonderful and can carry forward into much more than a light bulb.”