Environmental Stewardship - AmeriCorps

Green Light New Orleans Nomination, Service Impact 2013

What began in 2006 as an idea to offset the pollution created by the touring band of founder Andreas Hoffman has grown into Green Light New Orleans, an organization that provided more than 70,000 energy efficient lights to residents unable to afford upgrading their homes’ infrastructure. What began as one man’s “light bulb moment,” Green Light New Orleans now operates one of the largest energy efficiency programs in New Orleans. Green Light’s free CFL (compact fluorescent lamp) and installation program is among the most successful large-scale energy efficient light bulb distribution program in the country.

Green Light New Orleans is effective because it relies on volunteers from the community and national service programs to directly install light bulbs into the homes of residents requesting service at no cost. This keeps organizational costs low and focuses resources on providing more lights while lowering energy costs for residents, lowering the region’s pollution, and making a more sustainable community. Green Light is fond of saying that they change awareness as they change the bulbs, planting a seed that teaches participants that small changes implemented repeatedly make a big difference in combating the effects of climate change and rebuilding in a more efficient and sustainable manner.

In addition to the free CFL and installation program, Green Light expanded its outreach in an effort to engage all New Orleanians. Green Light teaches elementary-age youth through its SPARK environmental action and education program, partners with local high school clubs and university courses to develop youth leaders through community service, and manages an energy efficient light bulb program for small businesses and churches. Green Light’s Tip the Block program increases neighborhood impact and connect residents to an array of local resources specific to their interests and needs by making referrals to social service organizations or helping neighborhood residents learn how to build raised gardens in their yards. It has partnered with the New Orleans City Council on their Energy Smart program and is working the U.S. Department of Energy and Entergy New Orleans on their SmartView program, an income-based, power consumption reduction program.

Green Light also demonstrates a path for other organizations to leverage national service programs. Beginning with a VISTA member in 2008, Green Light now works with AmeriCorps direct members and NCCC teams. Through the work of these teams and volunteers, Green Light has in installed over 400,000 CFL light bulbs in over 18,000 New Orleans area homes. This equates to nearly 170,000,000 kilowatt hours served and almost 200,000,000 pound reduction in CO2.