Top 10 Earth Day Tips for 2008

Earth Day reminds us why it's important to consider how our everyday actions affect the environment for years to come. These days everyone is looking for a way to make a difference for the environment. Green Mountain Energy Company offers 10 simple ways that Texans can make a difference on Earth Day - and every day.

1. Flip the Switch to Cleaner Electricity. Most people don't

realize that making electricity is the leading cause of

industrial air pollution in the U.S. By purchasing a 100

percent new renewable energy product for a year, an American

household using an average of 920 kilowatt hours (kWh) per

month could help avoid contributing over 15,000 pounds of CO2

annually. This is like not driving your car over 16,000 miles

or as much CO2 as 900 trees would absorb in one year.

2. Reduce where you can, neutralize the rest. 1) Reduce -- When

you incorporate some of our easy-to-follow reduction tips into

your lifestyle, you'll quickly begin lowering the size of your

carbon footprint; 2) Offset -- While it's nearly impossible to

reduce your carbon footprint to zero, you can offset the

emissions that remain from your household's driving, flying,

natural gas and electricity with BeGreen Carbon Offsets. By

purchasing BeGreen carbon offsets you're investing in cleaner

technologies that help neutralize your impact on global

warming. To purchase a BeGreen carbon offset product or to

find out what your carbon footprint is, visit:

3. Drive Smart. Every gallon of gasoline saved keeps 20 pounds of

CO2 out of the atmosphere! Keep your car tuned up, combine

trips, limit idling to 30 seconds, never "top off" the tank,

drive less aggressively and maintain proper tire pressure.

Keeping you tires inflated properly can improve gas mileage by

more than 3 percent.

4. Upgrade to EPA's ENERGY STAR-Certified Products. With the help

of ENERGY STAR, Americans saved enough energy in 2005 alone to

avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 23

million cars.

5. Switch to Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs). CFLs last 10

times longer and use about 72 percent less energy than a

standard bulb.

6. Recycle More. You can save as much as 2,400 pounds of CO2

emissions per year by recycling just half of your household

waste.

7. Reduce at Home. Turn off computers, televisions, CD players,

and other electronic devices when they won't be used for at

least half an hour.

8. Say No to Plastic Bags. When shopping, bring a reusable bag to

carry your purchases. A plastic bag can take an astonishing

500 years to decompose.

9. "Tune up" your home. Caulk around windows and doors; clean your

heating and air conditioning system to improve operating

efficiency; and insulate attics and crawl spaces.

10. Make Every Day Earth Day! Make a pledge starting with Earth

Day 2008 to live greener at home, at the office and in your

community by Making Every Day Earth Day.