Take Charge Lawrence and Beat Manhattan!
Did you know Lawrence is in competition with Manhattan for $100,000? Lawrence is participating in the Take Charge Challenge, a community-wide project challenge, and the prize is $100,000 for energy-efficient projects. Oh, and bragging rights.
Here's what you need to know, straight from the city of Lawrence (note: copy provided by the city, not written by me):
What is Change5? It’s about saving money! Did you know that if you change the 5 most used bulbs in your house that you’ll save $75 a year? That’s $75 you save on bills and $75 you can spend on other things. Why not Change 5?
Have you changed 5? With only 9 days left in the Take Charge Challenge, Lawrence is lagging behind Manhattan and we have just a few days left to change the outcome to beat Manhattan (and KSU!) and bring home bragging rights to Lawrence that we won the 2011 University challenge!
How can YOU help? We’re asking everyone in Lawrence to log on to the Take Charge Kansas website and register ANY bulb switches (from incandescent to CFL) that you’ve made in 2011. If you’ve already registered your bulbs, then tell a friend! We are canvassing Lawrence via email and social media to get the message out that we’re in this to WIN it and we need the community to get behind us to win! If everyone in Lawrence registers 5 bulbs, then Lawrence can win and bring home the $100,000 grand prize for LOCAL Lawrence projects.
Why should YOU care? The projects selected would not happen in our local community without the funding from the Take Charge Challenge. What will Lawrence do if (when) we win:
1. Fire Station #5 – Take Charge Challenge funds would be used to install solar photovoltaic panels at Fire Station #5 at 19th and Stewart Ave. The project would cost approximately $66,000. Fire Station #5 is the largest user of energy amongst the five Lawrence stations. The panels would reduce energy usage by 16,500 kWh or 2% annually.
2. Prairie Park Nature Center – Take Charge Challenge funds would be used to install solar thermal panels at Prairie Park Nature Center in southeast Lawrence. The panels would cost approximately $8,000 and would reduce energy uses by 2,500 kWh annually.
3. East Lawrence Recreation Center – Take Charge Challenge funds would be used to install large fans at East Lawrence Recreation Center. The fans would reduce HVAC energy costs by 15% annually and save approximately $1,400 per year.
4. Energy Audits for city buildings – The remaining funds will be used to help improve efficiency in city buildings – fewer dollars for energy costs means more dollars available for services and programs.
What NOW? Log on to the Take Charge Kansas website and register your bulbs immediately. And, ask your friends, co-workers and neighbors in Lawrence and encourage them to do the same. But, don’t wait — time is running out — only 9 days left!
Don’t have any more bulbs to change? Tell a friend or neighbor! We need EVERYONE to get involved – KU students, landlords, homeowners, neighborhood organizations – anyone who wants Lawrence to win and be able to complete these great projects for our community.
Thanks for helping out! The Take Charge Challenge ends on September 30, 2011. Energy efficiency matters to Lawrence and not losing to Manhattan matters to our community. Go Lawrence, beat Manhattan!
Friends, this is a small, simple thing you can do that not only helps you save money and energy, but it also helps your community. These projects will benefit us all!