Posted on 03/28/2008 11:13:59 PM PDT by bahblahbah
CHICAGO – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich announced today that the State of Illinois will participate in Earth Hour from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday. Earth Hour is a public awareness event created by World Wildlife Fund that encourages businesses and residents to join in turning off the lights for one hour on March 29th, 2008, to demonstrate that “individual action on a mass scale can help change our planet for the better.” More than 30 cities on six continents around the world are participating in Earth Hour. Chicago was chosen as the flagship Earth Hour city in the United States, and we will be joined by Atlanta, Phoenix, and San Francisco, as well as Copenhagen, Toronto, Melbourne, Brisbane, Bangkok, Dubai, Dublin, Christchurch and Tel Aviv globally.
“Earth Hour’s purpose is to highlight the difference all of us – from large organizations to individual people – can make regarding the problem of climate change. We will be joined by the City of Chicago and hundreds of local businesses, residents, and organizations in conserving energy and demonstrating our commitment to combating climate change”, said Gov. Blagojevich. “Our hope is that people will see how easy it is to take action against climate change and join us in celebrating Earth Hour. By working together and thinking of ways to change our habits in the long-term to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, each one of us can make a positive impact to help combat the effects of global warming.”
“By supporting Earth Hour, the State of Illinois is sending a powerful message to the world about its commitment to finding solutions to climate change,” said Carter Roberts, president and CEO of World Wildlife Fund. “We very much appreciate Governor Blagojevich’s support of Earth Hour, an event which symbolizes that by working together we can make a difference in the fight against climate change.”
As part of Earth Hour, the State of Illinois will turn off the lights in state-occupied buildings in Chicago, including the James R. Thompson Center, the Michael Bilandic Building and 401 S. Clinton. This includes all non-essential and decorative outside lights. Elevators, security lights, hallway lights, stairwell lights, emergency lights and safety lights will not be turned off. All street lights and lights vital to public safety will remain on. American, State and POW Flags flying outside the James R. Thompson Center and the Michael A. Bilandic Building will remain lit – allowing the flags to continue to fly.
In addition, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has placed posters in rest areas urging the public to join the Earth Hour effort by turning off non-essential electrical items, such as lights and appliances.
“As human beings, we all have a responsibility to preserve our world for future generations,” said IDOT Secretary Milton R. Sees. “As a Department, we recognize that responsibility and are participating in Earth Hour and Earth Day events, as well as continuing our green initiatives. We urge everyone to do their part and protect our environment.”
The State of Illinois has initiated year-round efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change. Gov. Blagojevich’s Green Government Initiatives have saved the state millions of dollars and reduced the amount of waste going into landfills. The sale of state surplus items on iBid (www.ibid.illinois.gov) puts used items back into use, instead of in the trash.
Central Management Services (CMS) implemented several energy efficient practices such as deploying energy efficient computers that have saved the State of Illinois over $1 million dollars in energy costs. In addition, CMS has advanced online publishing – saving over 3 million pieces of paper in 2007 alone. The state recycles used tires, automotive anti-freeze, paper, aluminum cans and fluorescent bulbs, to name a few. And CMS strives to purchase “green” items, including Hybrid and E-85 vehicles, printer toner cartridges, paper, janitorial supplies and even toilet paper.
For more information on Earth Hour, visit the Earth Hour website at: www.earthhourus.org.
Welcome to Illinois; not!
Your Democrats at their finest, anemic
economy slowest growing in the mid west except for CCCP Michigan. Pick your pockets and tell
you how live. Sky rocketing debts due to out of control
entitlement (welfare) spending. Illinois home to Obama,Durbin,Daly,Jesse Jackson,Louis
Fartacon and Reverend Wright.
And now I gotta turn off my lights!
Blagovich is one of the dumbest govenors in the
Union.
Welcome to Illinois; not!
Your Democrats at their finest, anemic
economy slowest growing in the mid west except for CCCP Michigan. Pick your pockets and tell
you how live. Sky rocketing debts due to out of control
entitlement (welfare) spending. Illinois home to Obama,Durbin,Daly,Jesse Jackson,Louis
Fartacon and Reverend Wright.
And now I gotta turn off my lights!
Blagovich is one of the dumbest govenors in the
Union.
Welcome to Illinois; not!
Your Democrats at their finest, anemic
economy slowest growing in the mid west except for CCCP Michigan. Pick your pockets and tell
you how live. Sky rocketing debts due to out of control
entitlement (welfare) spending. Illinois home to Obama,Durbin,Daly,Jesse Jackson,Louis
Fartacon and Reverend Wright.
And now I gotta turn off my lights!
Blagovich is one of the dumbest govenors in the
Union.
Lets see:
hair dryers
toaster oven
air conditioning
all televisions
all recorders
plug in all chargers with batteries
turn all lights on
open the door if it’s a warm day
bring up the jumper system with a battery in my car and top off the charge in it
turn on all outside lights for an hour
open the referegerator and freezer door about every five minutes
What am I forgetting?
Oh yes...
Run the dishwasher
Run some loads of laundry
And raise taxes...
I thought something was wrong with my monitor. I don’t like bleep like this.
A couple magnesium flares on the front lawn of the governor’s mansion would do a lot to shine some light on the subject.
Stereo on full blast, speakers pointed at nearest darkened house
Blago would not see them , as he commutes from Chicago to Springfield most days.
...tonight at 8:02...I turn these babies on my neighbors property till the "greenie" turns pale yellow
Blago’s probably wondering if they’ll observe it when he’s in prison.
Hopefully the state would already have all lights turned off except ones needed for safety or working employees on a Saturday evening.
How far is it from Chicago to Springfield? If the gov. truly were interested in conservation he would just live near the capitol. Just like Schwarzenegger flying to work over 400 miles every day! Unreal. I read that Spitzer commuted to Albany from NYC too. That is not a short trip either. How much fuel are these governors wasting??
Everyone should turn out the lights 8 to 9 on a Saturday evening? Yeah good luck with that. Most people I know are watching TV, eating out, going to movies etc at that time.
The state is going broke and we have Blago commuting probably 3.5 hrs by road. But he is special and flies.
I haven’t taken measurements yet, but the Illinois governor may be more stupid than our Michigan governor.
WHAT AM I SAYING?
20 quarters of negative growth and getting worse. No one can beat Michigan’s governor for dark ages stupidity. A baby born in Michigan today will be crying to leave tomorrow.
If the gov. truly were interested in conservation he would just live near the capitol
Sorry Blago is from the party of do as I say, not as I do.
He is special and citizens are his serfs
Let the looting begin! Grab that high def big tv when no one is looking and the lights are out.
Oh yes, that is when I plan to have one load of laundry in the washer, another in the dryer, and the television playing in the living room. Oh yes, and I think I'll turn my heat up to 72 degrees for the evening.
I might even put a batch of cookies in the oven to bake, for tomorrow.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.