The Orange Hispanic Festival held on August 29 in Monte Irvin Orange Park in Orange, New Jersey, was sponsored by the City of Orange Township’s Department of Community Services [1]. It was a great day: The festival featured delicious food, rides, giveaways, merchandise booths, and a deejay playing cultural music from Ecuador, El Salvador, and Brazil.

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) [2].

A total of 162 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 [3], and the campaign is made possible thanks to funding by the state Board of Public Utilities (BPU) [4] and the NJCEP [5].

Darrell Holcomb, the township’s Director of Community Services, was pleased to have Project Porchlight return to Orange. “It is always good to raise awareness within the community, and that’s exactly what Project Porchlight is doing,” he says. “The campaign is effectively making people aware of ways to reduce energy use. Project Porchlight’s ability to raise awareness about the importance of conserving energy and the benefits thereof is especially important in these tough economic times.”

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.

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.

“It is great to have Project Porchlight raise awareness, especially in the culturally diverse population of Orange,” says Darrell. “Project Porchlight really is reaching out to everybody.”