Snohomish County is paying attention to PUD's marketing message. The local utility has been urging residents and businesses to become "conservation sensations" and apparently the idea has hit home.

The Snohomish County Public Utility District reported that it beat an aggressive 2008 conservation goal by 11 percent, saving more than 60 million kilowatt hours. The energy savings, which amount to nearly $4.5 million annually, is enough to power 5,000 homes.

One of the more successful aspects of the program was the utility's promotion of compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs, which use one-fourth the energy of an incandescent bulb and last up to seven times longer. Low-interest loans for home weatherization and cash rebates for recycling energy-wasting refrigerators and freezers also remain popular.

Local business customers completed hundreds of energy-efficiency projects in partnership with the PUD. Lighting improvements, heaving/ventilation system upgrades and the installation of efficient motors, pumps and fans top the list of 2008 projects. PUD also launched new incentive-based programs that encourage the use of PC management systems, and efficient refrigeration and cooking equipment for commercial kitchens.

For more information about PUD's "Conservation Sensation" campaign, and other tips on energy conservation, visit www.snopud.com or call the PUD Energy Hotline at 425-783-1700.

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