Released: October 10, 2001

New law helps consumers save on electricity costs
"Change a Light, Change the World" campaign begins

(St. Paul) - A new Minnesota law is helping to reduce your electricity bill by reducing the cost of lighting products for your home. The law, passed this year by the Minnesota Legislature and signed by Governor Ventura, now eliminates state sales tax on the purchase of lighting fixtures and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) carrying the ENERGY STAR label.

A single CFL will save more than $25 in energy costs over the bulbs lifetime, and changing the five most frequently used lights in a home could save $80 a year in electricity bills.

"Changing several lights in your home may seem small, but the savings really add up," said Minnesota Commerce Commissioner Jim Bernstein. "Not only will you save the sales tax at the checkout counter and save on your monthly electric bill, but you will also save energy. Conservation measures like this will help to ensure a reliable supply of electricity for Minnesota."

October is Energy Awareness Month and ENERGY STAR has joined with retailers, manufacturers, and utilities across the nation to challenge America and Minnesota to "Change a Light, Change the World. " The educational campaign runs through November, informing consumers about the benefits of energy-efficient lighting products.

Energy Star qualified CFLs and lighting products typically are up to 75 percent more efficient than standard products but give off the same light output and last up to 10 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs. A CFL used an average of four hours a day will not need to be changed for about five years.

Most energy-efficient fixtures do not cost more than standard fixtures. CFLs are initially more expensive than incandescent bulbs, but consumers see a quick return on their investment CFLs save money on energy bills and will outlast up to 10 standard light bulbs. And now, with the new Minnesota law, there is no state sales tax on the purchase of each CFL.

ENERGY STAR, jointly managed by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Energy, permits consumers to easily identify energy-efficient appliances, electronics, office equipment, lighting, heating and cooling equipment, buildings, and homes. For more information about ENERGY STAR and "Change a Light, Change the World," visit www.changealight.com or call 1-888-STAR-YES.

Participating Energy Star utilities in Minnesota are Dakota Electric Association, Minnesota Power, Rochester Public Utilities, Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency, and Xcel Energy.

To learn more about conserving energy, the Minnesota Department of Commerce Energy Information Center offers a free CD-ROM that includes Home Energy Guides about energy conservation and efficiency in the home. All the Home Energy Guides are also available from this web site. To get a free CD-ROM, or paper pamphlets, call 651-296-5175 or 1-800-657-3710 or email your request to energy.info@state.mn.us.