CHICAGO, March 29 /PRNewswire/ -- As ComEd customers turned off the lights during Earth Hour at homes, businesses, and Chicago landmarks, ComEd saw the demand for electricity drop by about 1 percent in the City of Chicago and throughout its northern Illinois service territory, according to figures released by the utility.
To calculate the energy reduction achieved during the hour, ComEd compared its customers' electricity usage during the 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. hour last night to the preceding 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. hour.
The reduction in electricity usage in the City of Chicago and ComEd's northern Illinois service territory during Earth Hour was estimated to be about 100 megawatt hours. The energy reduction is the equivalent of removing 154,500 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, or planting 19 acres of trees.
"I commend our customers, the City of Chicago, and ComEd employees who once again proved that small changes, when performed on a large scale, can make a positive impact in the long-term," said Frank M. Clark, ComEd chairman and chief executive officer. "This symbolic event will help educate people worldwide about the need for energy conservation as an economical way to slow climate change and benefit our environment."
ComEd was the presenting sponsor of Earth Hour Chicago. Earth Hour is a global initiative of the World Wildlife Fund. ComEd encouraged its 3.8 million customers and employees to participate to raise awareness about global climate change and the benefits of energy efficiency. Chicago was once again an Earth Hour flagship city in the U.S., and one of several major cities around the world participating this year, including Beijing, Copenhagen, Dubai, Hong Kong, London, Mexico City, and Moscow.
Following the success of Earth Hour 2008, ComEd returned this year as not only a participant and advocate, but also as the lead sponsor of the effort. ComEd's support of Earth Hour contributes to the company's robust portfolio of energy efficiency and environmental programs. Earth Hour also is part of Exelon 2020, an aggressive environmental strategy by ComEd's parent company, Exelon, to reduce, offset, or displace more than 15 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year by 2020.
Customers can find more ways to reduce energy use, save money, and benefit the environment year-round by visiting http://www.comed.com/.
Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd) is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation , one of the nation's largest electric utilities with approximately 5.4 million customers. ComEd provides service to approximately 3.8 million customers across northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state's population.
