Earth Hour drops energy use by 2.06%

FortisBC asked customers to unplug and share their plans for Earth Hour this past Saturday.

And unplug they did.

People from 32 different communities within the FortisBC service area pledged their support online and as a result, electricity consumption dropped by 2.06 per cent, or 6.38 megawatts, during Earth Hour on Saturday, March 28.

This amounts to switching off 106,000 60W incandescent light bulbs.

Michael Mulcahy, FortisBC’s Vice President of Customer and Corporate Services, says Earth Hour demonstrates that each individual action is important and can add up to make a difference in conserving energy.

Manteo Resort in Kelowna was one business that encouraged guests and neighboring businesses to participate, turning off lights in public areas and urging guests to eat in the restaurant by candlelight or congregate in the lobby to wave glow sticks and enjoy hot chocolate and sweets.

The Kelowna shoreline joined international landmarks that dimmed their lights for Earth Hour.

In the Earth Hour Community Challenge, the communities that generated the most pledges per capita were Castlegar, Summerland, Oliver and Keremeos.

Each will receive the FortisBC Earth Hour Challenge Cup.