PG&E giving away 1 mln energy-saving lightbulbs

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Pacific Gas and Electric Co. on Wednesday said it will give away 1 million energy-saving lightbulbs this month in what it is calling the largest one-month promotion of compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs).

"Energy efficiency is a quick and cost-effective way for our customers to save money, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat global climate change," said Brad Whitcomb, vice president of customer products and services for the utility.

The utility subsidiary of PG&E Corp (PCG.N) bought each of the CFL bulbs for $1.25 -- less than retail cost -- purchased by funds in a program for energy efficiency at PG&E, said spokesman Keely Wachs.

PG&E spokesman Keely Wachs said the utility was working with Safeway (SWY.N) supermarkets to sell CFLs for 99 cents each at stores in the utility's service area.

CFLs cost more than standard incandescent lightbulbs but use about 75 percent less energy and are said to last as much as 10 times longer.

Wachs said each CFL could save $30 in energy costs over the bulb's lifetime. He said the average home in the PG&E territory of northern and central California has about 40 outlets.

The utility said its giveaway could save 400,000 megawatt hours of power use and prevent emission of 200,000 tons of greenhouse gases. The company said that would be equal to powering almost 60,000 homes for a year or taking 31,000 cars off the road for a year.