DePaul University
OP-T2-2: Local Offsets Program

Description -- EASEE’s first project is centered on the distribution of Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs). (Note: Research has shown that 40% of Chicago residents don’t use CFLs in their homes.) The program consists of high school students fulfilling their service learning/community service requirements by giving presentations on energy and the environment to elementary students in grades 2 through 5. At the end of the presentation, each lower school student receives two CFLs (one 100-Watt equivalent and one 60-Watt equivalent) to bring home to their families. The students are taught why CFLs are beneficial, both economically and for the environment, and take the light bulbs home with information for their families on how best to use them. Each family will then save $150 over the lifetime of the bulbs. The initial target group is Chicago Public Schools where 84% of the families are low income. With the money DePaul has donated and the volunteer assistance from DePaul students, EASEE will reach over 1,300 lower school students and families. DePaul’s donation is environmentally equivalent to purchasing 2,000 Renewable Energy Credits, but also has the educational benefit for the students and the economic benefit to their families.