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Telegraph Avenue gets help lighting up

By Ben Lumpkin Daily Planet Staff
Monday July 02, 2001

Philips Lighting Company, one of the world’s largest lighting company’s with 10,000 employees in North America alone, has chosen Berkeley as the place to show the nation how its energy efficient light bulbs can help ease the growing energy crisis. 

Starting last week, the company began a project to replace all the bulbs along an entire block of Telegraph Avenue – in ground level businesses and more than 40 residential units – free of charge. 

Philips officials estimate that the move will reduce energy consumption on the block by up to 45 percent, cutting the amount the block pays PG&E each year to $5,840 from an estimated $10,512. 

“A big part of these projected savings come from installing compact fluorescent bulbs, which are a fantastic but surprisingly little-known solution for home and office,” said Larry Wilton, President and CEO of Philips Lighting Company North American, in a written statement. “Really, if we could stop debating over long-term