Through simple individual measures, we can all work to save energy without destroying the health and beauty of Nantucket Sound.
The Cape Wind project would displace roughly one million tons of greenhouse gasses from the air annually. What does this mean on an individual level? The population of Barnstable County is roughly 230,000 individuals or 95,000 households. Such a reduction in emissions equates to a reduction of 4.3 tons per person per year, or 10.5 tons per household, per year. Energy conservation and the preservation of the environment is an individual responsibility, so how else can we, as individuals, assume such reductions?
Start here by taking the EnergyStar Change a Light pledge to replace at least one incandescent light bulb with a Compact Florescent Light Bulb. Compact Florescent Light Bulbs use about 75% less energy than standard bulbs, last up to 10 times longer, and will save you about $30 in electricity costs over each bulb's lifetime!
Did you know?
* Appliances account for about 20% of your household’s energy use, with refrigerators, clothes washers and dryers, and AC topping the consumption list.
* Your water heater is the 2nd largest home energy use after heating.
* About 90% of the electricity used by incandescent bulbs in lost as heat.
* Transportation consumes the majority of oil used in this country.
* One-third of heated air in U.S. homes and buildings escapes through closed windows and holes and cracks. During hot weather these windows also let heat in, increasing the use of air conditioning.
* Heating, cooling, and lighting buildings consumes about 1/3 of the energy used in modern societies.
Resources
The Cape Light Compact provides energy saving tips, incentives, and free home audits to help you achieve greater efficiency saving the environment and saving you money.
The Massachusetts Home Energy Service also provides numerous appliance tips to help you save energy and money.
Visit the Department of Energy's fuel economy web site to see how many tons of greenhouse gasses your car emits in a year. If you’re in the market for a new car, you can compare mileage and emissions side-by-side!
