March 27, 2009 -- Help us join over 1 Billion people throughout the World in turning off our lights for one hour on Saturday Night, March 28, 2009 at 8:30 PM!  This marks the City of Houston's inaugural participation in this event and they will join over 1,430 cities and towns in 80 countries make a statement about reducing our carbon footprint.

At a time when good news is hard to find, this is a feel good story as millions of people from the Chatham Islands to the Artic Sea will turn off their lights for Earth Hour to cast their vote for a better planet.

Everyone in Houston is encouraged to participate in this historic event - turn off your lights, celebrate the planet and enjoy the moment.

Security lighting, any obstruction lighting, emergency lighting and lights in occupied offices will remain lit.

Earth Hour will precede Lights Out Houston on April 24.  Lights Out Houston, started in 2008, as a city-wide undertaking to transform the "Energy Capital of the World" into the "Energy Conservation Capital" is unique to our city's metropolitan area and is aimed at a permanent and sustained reduction in the elimination of unnecessary lighting for all building types.

Last year, commercial building participation totaled nearly 105 million square feet, representing more than $67,580 in savings on their electrical bill for that weekend alone! On an annual basis, it is expected that participating building owners and tenants that continue their efforts in reducing unnecessary lighting will save over $8 Million in lower energy bills.

• Who:    Greater Houston Partnership, in collaboration with the City of Houston and Lights Out Houston Organizers
• When: Saturday, March 28, 2009 for one hour at 8:30 PM
• Where: The Greater Houston Area
• What:   All residential homes, public and private buildings (excludes hotels, streetlights, etc).
• Why:    To make a vote against climate change and a vote for preserving our natural resources.