VERNON – The City of Vernon is hosting a community-wide energy conservation challenge to promote energy conservation by all members of the community. The Energy Conservation Challenge asks Vernon residents to down the heat and sport an ugly sweater for a chance to win prizes while reducing energy consumption.

Energy use in buildings is the second largest contributor — 32 per cent — to Vernon’s greenhouse gas emissions. A decrease in energy use would benefit the city’s emission reduction targets, lessen individual energy costs and reduce our dependency on fossil fuels. The energy conservation challenge encourages students, families, employees and all members of the community to turn down the heat and turn up in their sweater to show the City of Vernon what they are doing to reduce energy consumption.

Over $600 worth of prizes are available, including gift certificates to Rona or Home Depot, energy use monitors, energy smart outlets, LEDs and lunch for your office, classroom or family. To enter the contest:

1. On November 19, turn down the heat and wear your ugly sweater.
2. Submit photo entries to the City be emailing them to sustainability@vernon.ca or posting them to the Vernon Sustainability Facebook page at www.facebook.com/VernonSustainability.
3. Vote until November 30 by liking your favourite photos on the Facebook page.

Visit www.vernon.ca/sustainability for more information and contest details.