MERRIAM, Kan. - The Climate and Energy Project's year-long "Take Charge Challenge" is half way through. The town that reduces it's electric bills the most when it's all said and done is the winner.
The winner so far? Merriam.
The rest of the standings at the six month mark are:
1. Merriam (partnering with KCP&L)
2. Kinsley (partnering with Midwest Energy Cooperative)
3. Quinter (partnering with Midwest Energy Cooperative)
4. Mount Hope/Haven (partnering with the Kansas Power Pool)
5. Wellington (partnering with the Kansas Power Pool)
6. Salina (partnering with Westar Energy)
By the end of the competition, the hope is to save over one million kilowatt hours of electricity. That's enough to power 1,100 homes for a month – and avoid pollution equivalent to taking 140 cars off the road.
“Every one of these towns has brought creativity, leadership, and a great community spirit to this competition. We congratulate Merriam on their impressive achievement. With all six towns still in the game, we look forward to working with each to save money, save energy, and show what the Heartland can do when we put our minds to it,” said Nancy Jackson, Executive Director of the Climate and Energy Project.
Residents and businesses in all six communities have switched light bulbs, weatherized, installed programmable thermostats, and upgraded to energy efficient appliances.
People in Merriam have switched over 10,000 bulbs to energy efficient CFLs, and have worked with KCP&L to get new programmable thermostats and new air conditioners installed in hundreds of homes. “Merriam’s community spirit has been the key ingredient to our success in the Take Charge Challenge. Our residents are saving energy, saving money, and supporting the local economy. It’s a win-win-win,” said Ken Sissom, Mayor of Merriam, KS.
The six towns range in size from 40,000 residents in Salina to 800 in Quinter.
