SOUTH CAROLINA IS CHANGING THE WORLD, ONE LIGHT AT A TIME WITH ENERGY STAR�
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development in Columbia Helps Spread the Word About the ENERGY STAR� Change a Light Pledge

COLUMBIA, SC - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Director in South Carolina announced today that they have joined the ENERGY STAR® Change a Light, Change the World campaign, a growing community of corporations, utilities, manufacturers, individuals, and countless others who have made a firm commitment to change the world,
one light - one energy-saving step at a time.

As part of this national movement, the Columbia HUD office has volunteered to encourage individuals, apartment owners, management agents, public housing directors and nonprofits to pledge to replace at least one incandescent bulb or fixture that has earned the government's ENERGY STAR® label - as a first step to preserve our energy resources and environment. This pledge request comes today, October 4, 2006, National ENERGY STAR Change a
Light Day. 100 pledges could save 141,000 kWh of energy and prevent 223,000 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions.

"Like many organizations, we want to do our part to create a better environment," said Dudley Gregorie, Field
Office Director of the HUD Office. "Participating in this national campaign is both easy and effective. We are proud
to spread the word about the simple steps individuals in our community can take to make a difference."

The South Carolina HUD Office will take an active role in encouraging people to make a simple, yet meaningful commitment by taking the online ENERGY STAR Change a Light Pledge. With lighting accounting for about 20 percent of the typical home's electricity use, switching to energy-efficient options is a significant way to reduce greenhouse gases, save energy and protect the environment for future generations.

"Committing to change the world takes less time and energy than you might think. In fact, it can start with simply changing a light," said Wendy Reed of the Environmental Protection Agency. "Organizations like HUD in South
Carolina are an important part of the ENERGY STAR Change a Light community who have committed their time to
help us spread the word about the ENERGY STAR Change a Light Pledge and we are proud to work with them, and with the thousands of Americans who've already taken the pledge to make a difference for this generation and
those to come."

The ENERGY STAR Change a Light Pledge is already having a dramatic impact. Individuals who pledged to change a light in 2005 alone have the potential to save more than $2 million in energy costs and prevent more than 33 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions!

The ENERGY STAR Change a Light, Change the World campaign is a national challenge sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, to encourage Americans to consider the
energy they use and to switch to light bulbs and fixtures that have earned the government's ENERGY STAR for
energy efficiency.

About ENERGY STAR ®
ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce air pollution through increased energy efficiency. Today, with assistance from the U.S. Department of Energy, the ENERGY STAR program offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to
save energy and money, and help protect our environment for future generations. More than 8,000 organizations
have become ENERGY STAR partners and are committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free (888) STAR-YES ((888) 782-7937).

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development as
well as enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet and espanol.hud.gov.

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