Marcy Goes Green with Energy Bags for Every Home

The Bags contained energy-savings tips and discounts, along with six energy-saving CFL light bulbs (or a total of 13,200 bulbs).

Each home received energy-saving tips, room by room, from New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), New York Power Authority, National Grid, and Marcy businesses.

By using these six light bulbs, residents "will start using 75 percent less energy," said Town Supervisor Brian Scala. Over the life of these light bulbs, 10,000 hours, residents "will save $646."

"The Town will use over seven million fewer kilowatt hours for a reduction in energy of $1.4 million."

The 7 million kilowatt hours saved over the life of the CFL bulbs will result in a reduction of 10,131,000 tons of CO2, equivalent to removing 880 cars off the road, Scala said.

The Energy Bags and light bulbs were made available at no cost to taxpayers, thanks to organizations and businesses that partnered with the town by offering discounts, donations and grants.

"Forty-three partners donated funds to purchase this new next-generation, low-mercury CFL bulb only manufactured by Earthmate," Scala noted.

"Bulbs are wrapped in recycled material, with instructions printed with soy ink."

"The Town of Marcy wants to take the lead in changing its carbon footprint and hopes other communities will do the same," he added. "It has been our sole goal to educate our residents in using less energy and to become more energy efficient."

Brian Scala discusses Green Project before news media, officials and guests.