Christchurch Council to run energy-saving scheme for staff

18 June 2003

Christchurch City Council is supporting the ideas behind the Put a Sock in It energy-saving awards by running a parallel campaign for its staff, says chief executive Lesley McTurk.

Last month the Council asked Dr McTurk to consider joining the Put a Sock in It campaign, which was launched by city company Untouched World to encourage workers and businesses around the city to improve their energy savings at home.

Dr McTurk says the Council’s offer to staff this month, called Switch and Sock it to Energy Losses, takes into account the Council’s status as a non-commercial body with special obligations to the citizens of Christchurch.

The Council’s a major business in this city and I want to support good initiatives from the wider commercial community,” Dr McTurk says.

Through this offer, the Council aims to show support for the Put a Sock in It campaign’s energy-saving principles by encouraging its staff and elected members to purchase energy-saver products for their homes at reasonable rates.

The Council’s Switch and Sock it to Energy Losses offer will run until the end of August. It will allow staff to buy the campaign’s energy-saving items (light bulbs and merino-possum fur socks) through a one-off payment.

Staff will also be encouraged to visit the Council’s Christchurch Energy Efficiency Show Home at 10 Leander Street, Papanui, for expert advice on practical ways to save energy.

City Council staff already are making special efforts at work to conserve electricity and, as a result, the organisation is achieving savings of around 13 per cent for the time of year, Dr McTurk says.

• CCC is an acknowledged leader in energy conservation. In the last seven years its energy management efforts have accumulated savings of 27%. In 2002 it was awarded the Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority’s (EECA) Supreme Energy Wise award, its Sustained Achievement award, and Energy Manager award.

• CCC provides free independent advice to homeowners through its Energy Efficiency Show Home at 10 Leander Street in Papanui (11am to 6pm every day except Wednesdays).

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