Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - December 4, 2001
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Energy efficient mini-lights to brighten state’s holiday tree

OLYMPIA – A 26-foot tall noble fir tree was placed in the Capitol rotunda yesterday to celebrate the 2001 holiday season. The tree, donated by Weyerhaeuser, will stand in the rotunda until early-January.

This year’s tree will be adorned with energy-efficient and conventional mini-lights. The “ForeverBright™” lights, donated by Puget Sound Energy, use 80 to 90 percent less energy and are rated for up to 200,000 hours of use, or about 23 years. A dimmer will be attached to the conventional mini-lights to further conserve energy.

“Though the energy crisis has passed, energy conservation is something we should continue to practice,” Gov. Gary Locke said. “I applaud the state’s use of the energy-efficient lights on the tree and hope Washington businesses and residents follow our lead.”

The tree lights will be turned on from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The governor will light the holiday tree at the Capitol Kids tree-lighting ceremony on Friday, Dec. 7, at 6:00 p.m.

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