DR1: Low wattage Light Bulbs

Next Monday, several neighborhoods in Santo Domingo will benefit from the first phase of the government's energy and fuel saving program with the substitution of more than two million regular light bulbs for low-wattage fluorescent bulbs. A report by Diario Libre says that this program is costing US$2 million. El Caribe reports that Industry and Commerce Minister Francisco Javier Castillo stated that this program will save 74,000 barrels of oil per year. A second phase of the program will increase the number of installed bulbs to 5 million. According to Javier, each bulb costs US$1 and they have been evaluated in terms of durability. The installation of bulbs during the first phase will last one week and will include a campaign to increase public awareness.