|
April 14, 2009 |
Contact: Rae Todd 970-229-5255 |
toddr@prpa.org (Platte River Power) |
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Platte River Power Joins DOE Prize Partner Promoters FORT COLLINS, COLO - Platte River Power Authority has joined with The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and seven other new partners agreeing to work cooperatively to promote the winners of the Bright Tomorrow Lighting Prize competition. The L Prize is the first government-sponsored technology competition designed to spur lighting manufacturers to develop high quality, high-efficiency solid-state lighting (LED) products to replace the common light bulb. The L Prize competition aims to radically accelerate America's shift from inefficient, dated lighting products to innovative, high-performance products. Twenty-three energy efficiency organizations and utilities with presence in twenty-nine states from coast to coast are now on board to bring utility programs and other incentives for winning L Prize products. "With the addition of these regions, partners will bring a big plus to the L Prize competition--the ability to reach more than 70% of U.S. electric customers," stated Jim Brodrick, SSL Program Manager for DOE. "When the first L Prize winner is named, this most tested, high-performance solid-state replacement lamp will be welcomed in a wide range of American markets, from the largest cities to Carolina beach towns and the Rockies." DOE's goal is to drive quality and energy efficiency up while bringing the cost of this technology down, leading to broader acceptance in the market. The U.S. Department of Energy announced the competition to drastically reduce energy consumption in May 2008 as a result of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which directs DOE to establish the Bright Tomorrow Lighting Prize (L Prize) competition. The legislation challenges industry to develop replacement technologies for today's most widely used and inefficient products: 60W incandescent lamps and PAR 38 halogen lamps, as well as development of a new "21st Century Lamp". About the L Prize About
DOE's Solid-State Lighting Program Platte River Power Authority generates and delivers
reliable, low-cost and environmentally responsible
electricity to its owner communities of Estes Park,
Fort Collins, Longmont and Loveland, Colorado, where
it is distributed by each municipal utility to residents
and businesses. For more information, please visit, www.prpa.org. -30- |