Guv urges Utahns to turn off lights

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. is joining local businesses and governments and encouraging Utahns to turn off all lights within their homes for one hour on Wednesday.

Turning off all nonessential lights — traffic lights, hospitals, etc. are exempt — from 9 to 10 p.m. that evening is meant to focus on the positive impact of reduced energy consumption.

"Wise use of our energy resources is vital as our state continues to grow in terms of our economy and population," Huntsman said. "I encourage every Utahn to participate in this effort."

According to Rocky Mountain Power, if 750,000 residential or commercial units turned off just five 60-watt bulbs for an hour, enough energy would be saved to run every appliance in 1,300 homes for a week.

For more information about Lights Off Utah, go to www.lightsoffamerica.com or contact Dan Furner with eCube Energy at 801-231-1202.