The Hightstown Blitz on August 7 in Hightstown, New Jersey, was nothing less than remarkable. A small but energetic group of volunteers fanned out through the borough to educate their friends and neighbors 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) [1].

A total of 384 CFL bulbs were distributed that day, 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 [2], and the campaign is made possible thanks to funding by the state Board of Public Utilities (BPU) [3] and the NJCEP [4].

“The Blitz went remarkably well,” says Barbara Jones, Chair of the Hightstown Environmental Commission. “We had unbelievable success. We handed out a lot of CFL bulbs and covered a lot of the borough. Everyone was thrilled to get the CFL bulbs, and everybody was so excited to learn about how to conserve energy. So it was a very positive experience.”

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.

Barbara, who helped organize the Blitz, was thrilled to bring Project Porchlight to Hightstown. “Project Porchlight is a fantastic project,” she says. “It encourages us all to reconnect with our communities by going door-to-door and meeting people in our neighborhoods. It’s also a great thing for the environment,` because these CFL bulbs use significantly less energy to generate the same amount of light. And the timing is great because there’s such a movement towards sustainability now in New Jersey. So this is a really great way to educate people and make our communities more green and more sustainable.”

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.

“For our little borough, where we don’t have access to a lot of money, and a lot of people are stretched to the limit, being able to do something good for the environment that doesn’t cost a lot of money met with a real positive reaction from the community,” sys Barbara. “The Project Porchlight Blitz gave people a sense that they are contributing to the betterment of our world, and that’s a good thing.”