As part of a countywide effort to transition to 100 percent clean
renewable energy, Suncoast Sierra Club,
along with several private donors, has provided
the Jim & Heather Gills YMCA of Greater
St Petersburg with funding to install LED lighting throughout the facility.  |
| YMCA staff and Suncoast Sierra Club leaders |
The YMCA, located at 3200 First Ave. South, is in the process of
replacing over 900 fluorescent bulbs with LED bulbs. The project is expected to
be completed by the end of this summer. "We are
extremely grateful for the support from the Suncoast Sierra Club in providing
energy efficient lighting at our Jim & Heather Gills YMCA,” said David Jezek President/CEO, YMCA of Greater
St. Petersburg. “In addition to the
improved lighting, we expect to see significant savings in our energy
bills. These savings will allow us to
make a great impact in the lives of those we serve."
The Jim & Heather
Gills YMCA serves the needs of the community with a
full-size gymnasium and fitness room,
indoor heated pool, fitness classes,
cycling studio, after school programs, and
outreach services. The transition to LED
lighting is estimated to save the branch over $10,000 per year in electricity,
a savings that will pay for the cost of the bulbs in less than 6 months,
according to Bryan Beckman, chair of the Pinellas Ready for 100 campaign.
Beckman, who spearheaded the
energy efficiency project at the YMCA, calculated that the LED lighting use
would save an estimated 70 metric tons of carbon dioxide each year - the equivalent to installing 200 solar
panels. Given the estimated life of the
bulbs, he said, over $100,000 is expected to be saved. “Sierra Club is very proud
to have helped with the new LED lighting,” Beckman said at the May 30
ribbon cutting and rededication of the gym and activity center after recent upgrades
and renovations. “Businesses, residents
and cities can have a big impact on our environment by installing similar
efficiencies that save money and reduce carbon pollution at the same time.”
ABOUT READY FOR 100: The Pinellas
Ready for 100 campaign aims to help
local cities, businesses and residents transition to 100 percent clean,
renewable energy in an effort to make Florida resilient to climate change and stop the burning of fossil fuels. Cities in Pinellas County that
have signed on with resolutions to move to 100 percent clean energy include St. Petersburg, Largo
and Dunedin.
To learn more about the Pinellas Ready for 100
campaign or how to transition to clean,
renewable energy, contact Bryan Beckman at bryanb@suncoastsierra.org or go to www.sierraclub.org/florida/suncoast/100pinellas
CONTACT:
Bryan Beckman
Suncoast Sierra Club
bryanb@suncoastsierra.org
Bryan Beckman
Suncoast Sierra Club
bryanb@suncoastsierra.org
