October 1, 2007

Bryan Municipal Utilities offers low- and no-cost ways
to protect the environment and save on utility expenses

By LOU PENDLETON

Bryan Municipal Utilities is celebrating Public Power Week, Oct. 7-13, along with more than 2,000 other community-owned electric utilities that collectively provide electricity on a not-for-profit basis to 44 million Americans. As part of Public Power Week, Bryan Municipal Utilities is reminding its customers of low- and no-cost opportunities to protect the environment and save on utility expenses by being energy efficient:

• Check your furnace or air conditioner filter each month, and clean or replace it as needed.
• Only heat or cool the rooms you need by closing vents and doors of unused rooms.
• Look for the ENERGY STARŪ label when buying new products such as televisions, refrigerators, and even cell phones.
• Set your thermostat comfortably low in the winter and comfortably high in the summer.
• Turn off your computer and monitor when not in use.
• Use compact fluorescent light bulbs.
• Plug home electronics, such as TVs and DVD players, into power strips; turn the power strips off when equipment is not in use.
• Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes.

More tips are available at the Alliance to Save Energy Web site: www.ASE.org. Be sure to check out BMU's online energy profiler on our homepage to help you analyze your home energy use and costs. The personal energy audit will recommend specific steps you can take to reduce energy use and save money.

“Whether you are trying to save money on your monthly electric bill or doing your part to protect the environment, there are many good reasons to be energy efficient,” said Steve Casebere, director of utilities. “Our goal is to provide the highest level of service to our customers, and we believe that includes helping them use energy wisely.”

Public Power Week is being held in conjunction with the American Public Power Association (APPA) in Washington, D.C., the national service organization for not-for-profit, community- and state-owned electric utilities.