In the face of terrorism, burgeoning foreign trade deficits, uncertain energy supplies and fears of global warming, our generation’s twin challenge is energy independence and environmental sustainability.

In order to achieve this goal, we must unite as Americans and as Tennesseans and do little activities, every day that lead to big change!

Why not start with something we use everyday? The light bulb.

If every household in Tennessee (2.4 Million) switched just one 75-watt old-fashioned incandescent bulb to a low energy, long-lasting new fluorescent bulb, America would save 8.09 million kilowatt hours of energy – the equivalent energy in 22.3 million gallons of gasoline!  That’s an energy savings equal to taking every car, bus and truck off Tennessee’s roads for two and a half days. Best yet, it would save Tennessee families $89.14 million on their electric bills. The impact on environmental sustainability is equally large, saving nearly 1.37 billion pounds of carbon dioxide emissions – the annual emissions of 125,583 cars!

Families for a Clean Tennessee is working to educate members of our State Legislatures about the benefits of low energy, long-lasting fluorescent light bulbs.  Specifically, We are working to educate our elected officials on the benefits of giving every household in Tennessee a tax cut of $30 in the form of a coupon for energy efficient fluorescent light bulbs purchased at local participating store – about enough for 10 fluorescent bulbs. This means an average savings of $330 per family in energy costs (plus the $30 for the bulbs) and a reduction of 5,706 pounds of CO/2.  And the economic activity from the $360 per family savings likely will increase state tax revenues greater than the original $30 cost.

Cut taxes, save people money, save America’s energy, cut greenhouse gases & save our environment – that’s a bright idea!

To show your support, please e-mail your legislator and tell them that you support a $30 tax cut in the form of a coupon for energey efficient fluorsecent light bulbs!