Salina trailing energy challenge

Last Update: 11/24/2009 3:27 pm

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SALINA, Kansas – Salina is at the halfway point of the Take Charge Challenge where it is competing against five other Kansas communities to see which one can save the most energy in a year.

The city of Salina is in last place, but that doesn't mean residents aren't saving energy. Organizers of the competition say Salina still has a shot at winning.

Residents and businesses have switched to more energy efficient light bulbs and installed programmable thermostats. But getting all 50,000 Salina residents to take action has been tough.

"They can all step up and win, they just have to keep moving forward to save money, save energy and we're really excited to show everybody else what the Heartland can do when they put their mind to it,” said Dorothy Barnett with the Climate and Energy Project.

Organizers of the challenge say they’ve been impressed with the steps taken by Salina businesses like Philips Lighting, which switched out the plant’s lighting system. The city’s utility partner, Westar Energy, has also spent time in area schools, talking about saving energy.

Towns are ranked by the largest percentage drop in use and right now, Merriam, Kansas is in the lead. The winning city will win solar panels for a civic building or a wind turbine for a local school.

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