Gaithersburg to Observe “Earth Hour”

The City of Gaithersburg will join communities across the globe in emphasizing the importance of energy conservation during Earth Hour on Saturday, March 23. However, because popular recreation and cultural programming at its facilities precludes an hour long observation on March 23, City officials will bring attention to the issue by holding a “minute of darkness” at their March 18, 2013 Mayor and City Council meeting.

The City has long made energy conservation a priority. Some examples of recent initiatives to reduce environmental impact include:

Converting street lights to more energy efficient LED lighting.
Converting Winter Lights Festival lighting to energy efficient LED lighting.
Eradicating unnecessary lighting usage.
Purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to offset fossil fuel usage, thereby supporting the development of renewable energy options.
Purchasing biofuel for fleet vehicles.
Purchasing hybrid vehicles.
Utilizing solar energy and geothermal energy at the City’s Olde Towne and Robertson Park Youth Centers.
Implementing energy conservation measures including lighting upgrades, building controls, and equipment replacement within municipal facilities.

Residents and businesses are encouraged to go dark for one hour during Earth Hour on Saturday, March 23, at 8:30 p.m. Earth Hour is the World Wildlife Fund’s annual campaign to raise awareness of the environmental challenges we all face.

For more information on the Saturday, March 23, Earth Hour see, Earth Hour 8:30 – 9:30 p.m.

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