Features

BERKELEY — The City wants to conserve more energy, and they have decided to offer a $75 carrot to do it. 

Living in the wake of last summer’s energy crisis and this winter’s allegations of wide-scale price-gouging and corruption by Enron are not the only reasons for the energy conservation contest, according to Alice La Pierre of the Berkeley Energy Office.  

By promoting the winner, the Berkeley Energy Commission hopes to provide an opportunity for residents to learn about energy conservation methods from their neighbors. 

“We want to get the word out,” La Pierre said. 

And to get the word out about various conservation efforts, the city is sponsoring “Berkeley Unplugged,” which will highlight a wide-range of conservation solutions, from the traditional to the creative, a spokeswoman for the city says. 

Ten winners will be chosen in categories including lowest overall energy usage during January of 2002, the greatest overall reduction from the previous year and the most creative and successful measure used to conserve energy. 

Winners will receive a $75 gift certificate to be used at the  

Berkeley Conservation and Energy program, which provides energy-conserving products such as compact fluorescent lamps, water heater blankets, energy-efficient torchieres and programmable thermostats.  

The deadline for entries is March 20, 2002. More information is available at online at www.ecologycenter.org/Berkeley Unplugged. 

CONTACT: Alice La Pierre, Berkeley Energy Office (510) 981-5435 or Stephanie Lopez, Berkeley communications office (510) 981-2481