Texas mayors to unveil 'state bulb' as part of green push

San Antonio Business Journal
November 29, 2007

The mayors from five of Texas' largest cities on Friday will call on Texans to switch to compact florescent lightbulbs to reduce energy use in the Lone Star state.

The five mayors will officially introduce the "state bulb" of Texas from the front steps of San Antonio's City Hall.

San Antonio Mayor Phil Hardberger will join Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, Houston Mayor Bill White, Austin Mayor Will Wynn and El Paso Mayor John Cook in making the announcement.

The Natural Resources Defense Council said earlier this year that Texas could net $50 billion in savings and other economic benefits during the next 15 years if it invested $11 billion in various energy strategies. Part of that effort includes switching to compact fluorescent lights.

A ranking released in June by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy placed Texas 11th among the states for energy efficiency measures in 2006. The ranking is based on a variety of factors, from transportation policy and building codes to tax credits.