The following are questions about the ENERGY STAR Program and other energy saving and environmental questions.
Q: What is ENERGY STAR Change A Light Program?
A: The ENERGY STAR Change a Light, Change the World campaign is a national call-to-action sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Energy and Department of Housing and Urban Development to encourage Americans to use energy efficiently at home and to start by switching to lighting options that have earned the government's ENERGY STAR label for energy efficiency. If every American home replaced just one light with an ENERGY STAR, every year we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes, more than $600 million in energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars.
ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce air pollution through increased energy efficiency. Today, with assistance from the U.S. Department of Energy, the ENERGY STAR program offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy and money, and help fight global climate change. More than 8,000 organizations have become ENERGY STAR partners and are committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes and businesses.
Q: What if the new energy bulb that I purchased fails?
A. Energy Star qualified CFL's have extended warranties. Keep your purchase receipt. If the bulb fails within the warranty period, return it to your retailer.
Q: What about mercury inside CFLs? Is this something that I should be concerned about?
A: Recently, some people have expressed concern about the mercury inside CFL's. CFL's contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing - an average of less than 5 milligrams - which is roughly equivalent to an amount that would cover the tip of a ball-point pen. No mercury is released when the bulbs are intact or in use. By comparison, thermometers can contain between 100 to 500 milligrams of mercury.
Mercury currently is an essential component of CFL's and is what allows the bulb to be an effecient light source. Many manufacturers have taken significant steps to reduce the amount of mercury used in their flourescent lighting products. Technology advances are now finding ways to reclaim the mercury in CFL's and other flourescent bulbs. Currently, however, the best way to dispose of the CFL bulb, if it is no longer under warranty, is to keep it with other hazardous waste, such as paint and batteries, for collection. Do not incinerate CFL bulbs.
It is important to realize that more mercury is put into the air from the coal-fired plants generating electricity for incandescent bulbs than any mercury released from a broken CFL. If you should break a CFL, dispose of it responsibly. The EPA recommends removing all materials you can using sticky tape tp pick up small pieces or powder, then placing all cleanup materials in a sealed plastic bag. Wash your hands after disposing of the bag in the trash.
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You can access Zoning Ordinance Information Online
The
complete Zoning and Sign Ordinances through the Department of Planning
are available
online.
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You can access the City's Smoking Ordinance Online
The
Smoking Ordinance, approved by the City Council in 2007, is available
online.
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Historic Images and Information of Valparaiso are Online
Interested
in the history of Valparaiso through pictures, brochures, and maps dating
back to the 1880s? These unique tidbits of information are available
online.
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