Dry two or more loads in a row and take advantage of existing dryer heat.

Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) use 75% less energy and last 10 times longer than incandescent.

Set your computer to "hibernate" after 30 minutes of inactivity. Shut down at the end of each day.

Reduce cooling costs by drawing shades or blinds on sun-exposed windows or glass doors.

Bright Ideas Grants

The Bright Ideas grant program, sponsored by North Carolina’s electric cooperatives, strives to improve education in North Carolina classrooms by awarding grants to teachers for innovative, classroom-based projects in grades K-12 that would not otherwise be funded.

Since this program began in 1994, the Bright Ideas program has awarded more than $5.3 million in grant money to North Carolina’s teachers to sponsor almost 5,000 projects teaching more than 800,000 students.

Applications are currently being accepted! Apply now through September 24, 2010. If you apply before August 16, your name will be included in a drawing to win a $500 Visa Gift Card.

Visit www.ncbrightideas.com to submit your application online, as well as view sample applications, or contact Erica Johnson, our Bright Ideas Coordinator, at (336) 356-5255.