Energy-saving programs touted (AZ)

[jpak]

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/business/articles/0418biz-emissions0418.html

Arizona state regulators on Tuesday said the state's conservation programs are helping save energy and reduce harmful emissions spewed into the skies.

The Arizona Corporation Commission programs range from encouraging homeowners to swap out old light bulbs to offering builders incentives for construction of more energy-efficient homes.

"We want the public to know the commission is acting to reduce emissions in Arizona," Commissioner Bill Mundell said. "We're not just talking about it. We've issued numerous orders."

The programs helped save more than 118,000 megawatt hours of electricity in 2006, enough to power about 8,450 homes per year, according to figures provided by the Corporation Commission. The energy savings helped avert the release of over 114.5 million pounds of carbon dioxide from the state's power plants.

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