There’s a new web site – loseyourexcuse.gov – aimed at getting tweens and teens to actively look for ways to help save energy around their homes.  It’s cute, check it out.

We found another fun web site on Planet Green – part of the Discovery Channel’s network – called Battleground Earth.  Battleground Earth is an online game – the objective is to shoot as many incandescent lightbulbs as possible.  Good luck – it’s kind of addictive! 

TCP was recently featured in a Residential Lighting Magazine article on TCP’s energy efficient lighting sponsorship of MTV’s The Real World:Hollywood house.

And finally, for those of you old enough to remember Schoolhouse Rock, you’ll enjoy this :60 second video for Gulf Power.  This nostalgic piece encourages viewers to switch to CFLs.  Enjoy!

Find more videos like this on AdGabber

TCP founder, Ellis Yan, was recently named to Forbes Magazine’s List of 25 Notable Chinese-Americans. 

This is the first time Forbes has highlighted top Chinese-Americans in it’s publication.  This special Asian issue is available on newsstands now.

Last weekend in Las Vegas, TCP was pleased to be a presentor at Hyland Software’s Annual OnBase Training and Technology Conference.  

Last year as part of a corporate sustainability initiative, TCP implemented OnBase – an enterprise content management software that combines integrated document management, business process management and records management in a single application.  

By allowing TCP to digitize and electronically store documents in OnBase, TCP managed to reduce the amount of paper it uses, reduce storage of records and make those documents searchable and readily available to the rest of the company, and improving service levels.

You can check out the TCP Case Study on the OnBase web site. 

Two weeks from today on Wednesday, October 1st, ENERGY STAR kicks off it’s annual “Change-A-Light” campaign, which encourages people to switch from inefficient incandescent light bulbs to more efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs).

This year the folks at ENERGY STAR have made some changes to the program, and are calling the campaign “Change the World – Start with ENERGY STAR“.  While October 1st is still “Change a Light Day”, the new program is more robust and expands beyond lighting to include the all kinds of ENERGY STAR products that reduce energy and result in a carbon reduction.

Did you know that if every American took part in the ENERGY STAR pledge we would save $18 billion in energy costs and save green house gas emissions equivalent to 18 million cars by simply switching your incandescent light in for and ENERGY STAR CFL, or installing a programmable thermostat or enabling your computer to power down automatically?

TCP, Inc. has joined with millions of Americans in the flight against global warming by encouraging individual actions that can make a big difference in reducing energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions. TCP, Inc is the leading manufacturer of Compact Fluorescent light bulbs.

Lighting still remains the easiest and most cost effective change people can make.  TCP, Inc has set a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 38,985,000 pounds by for Earth Day 2009. Help us exceed this goal by taking the ENERGY STAR Pledge today.  You can also share your energy-saving story to inspire others to take the pledge.

Together we can make a difference!

In the September 2008 edition of Public Power Magazine, there is a great article on CFLs, “Getting Customers to Embrace Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs.”  The article provides insights and quotes from employees of several utility companies throughout the country, and TCP’s own Melanie Painter, Director of Utility Programs.  The article highlights the benefits of CFLs in comparison to incandescent bulbs, the need for consumer education, and which areas of the country are making the switch  to CFLs.

Yes, you read the title of this blog post right – HIGH FASHION!  For those of you in the lighting industry who do not have a penchant for haute couture, it was Fashion Week in New York City this week.  During Fashion Week, all designers famous, and not so famous, debut their newest clothing lines. 

In addition to the fashion, much of the success of a show is based on the staging and presentation.  This year two designers presented their shows amid linear fluorescent lamps.

One show where linear was on center stage was Shipley & Halmos. 

The other show featuring fluorescents was Y-3.

Click here to read the full LA Times article.

Earlier this week, the EPA announced the launch of a new ENERGY STAR tool that will help peoiple ”bring their green to work”.  The illustrated module highlights areas around the office environment for employees to help conserve in order to fight global warming.

In the news release, the EPA shares some of the tips contained in ENERGY STAR @ Work.  They include:

• Replace the bulbs in desk lamps with Energy Star qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs. These light bulbs use about 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer. Energy Star qualified lamps and light fixtures also are available for even more energy savings.
• Use a power strip as a central “turn off” point when you are done using office equipment to completely disconnect the power supply. Even when turned off, electronic and IT equipment often use a small amount of electricity when plugged in.
• Remember to turn off your lights when leaving conference rooms and your work space, especially at the end of the day.
• Use Energy Star qualified battery chargers or power adapters which, on average, use 30-35 percent less energy than conventional models. Don’t forget to unplug battery chargers or power adapters when equipment is fully charged or disconnected from the charger.
• Get involved! Create a Green Team with your co-workers, help reduce office waste, and set a goal to earn the Energy Star label for your building.

 The ENERGY STAR Bring Your Green to Work web page also allows visitors to download tip cards and provides information on how your office can start a Green Team.

Here’s something cool for a Friday – We came across this interesting idea for a CFL cover earlier in the week.  This comes from a post at MAKE.

Last Friday we told you about Ed Hammer, inventor of the CFL, being featured in Consumer Reports.  In one of the questions, Mr. Hammer brought up that until recently, bending of the familiar “spring” lamp shape was done by hand. 

TCP is proud to be the first in the industry to develop a machine that automates the bending of CFLs into their familiar spring shape.   

We can manufacture as many as 1.5 million CFLs every day – a majority of the CFLs on the U.S. market. Each automated machine will allow TCP to produce an additional 5,500 CFLs every day, nearly five times as many as produced by the company’s manual bending process.  Currently, the automated machines make up 15 percent of total CFL production. 

This is a major milestone for the lighting industry with automation enhancing the quality of CFLs and making it easier and faster to fill the rising global demand for energy efficient lighting.