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Premier Pat Binns, Minister of Education Mildred Dover and Minister of Environment, Energy and Forestry Jamie Ballem announced the project today at L.M. Montgomery Elementary School in Charlottetown. It is the first PEI project to be launched with new funding for clean air and climate change.

“This is a unique project. And it’s one we’re very excited about because it will help schools, it will help Islanders become more energy efficient and it will help our environment,” said Premier Binns. “Over the lifetime of these 200,000 light bulbs, electricity savings will add up to $5.5 million dollars. And greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by 32,000 tonnes. That’s like taking 6,000 vehicles off the road.”

Minister Ballem said bulbs will be available to any school group that would like to participate. The Province will recommend groups sell the light bulbs at a minimum price of $2 each and all of the proceeds will stay with the school group. “We believe this is a win-win. The project will help schools fund-raise for things such as playground equipment, sports and band. And in turn, the students will be helping spread energy efficiency.”

Minister Dover said she expects schools will welcome the new fund-raising opportunity as they have been at odds to find an item as effective for fund-raising as the $2 chocolate bar. “There is no question that the lightbulb will be an excellent alternative. With the same $2 price point, it is affordable, it is healthy and it’s something everyone can use.”

Information on the Compact Florescent Lightbulb fund-raising opportunity will be sent to all Island schools. To find out more about the project, schools can contact the Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry at 368-5014.