News Release

 Contact:  Robin Maxey                       Geoff Sugerman                 March 27, 2009

            (503) 986-1605                           (503) 986-1904

robin.maxey@state.or.us         geoff.sugerman@state.or.us

Oregon Capitol To Flip the Switch

In Favor Of Earth Hour Saturday Night

Spotlights on Pioneer Statue Will Go Dark from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

(SALEM) -- The Oregon State Capitol will participate in the celebration of Earth Hour Saturday night by turning off the spotlights that shine on the gold Oregon Pioneer statue on top of the Capitol tower. Additionally, Legislative leaders urged Oregon businesses and citizens to follow suit by saving one hour’s worth of energy – from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. – to help protect the environment.

“Our state has always taken a leading role where protecting the environment is concerned. From our beaches and rivers to the bottle bill to our investments in renewable energy, Oregon has always been on the leading edge,” said Senate President Peter Courtney. “By turning off the spotlights shining on the Gold Man we hope we can inspire Oregonians to use their light switches to cast a vote in favor of preserving our planet.”

"Along with the pyramids of Egypt and the Las Vegas Strip, we're happy the Oregon Pioneer  is joining in this effort to reduce energy use for one single hour," said House Speaker Dave Hunt. "By doing these types of painless, yet powerful activities, we'll help ensure our lights don't go out when we need them and we continue to move toward reducing our dependence on foreign oil."

The World Wildlife is asking individuals, businesses, governments and organizations around the world to turn off their lights for one hour – Earth Hour – to make a global statement of concern about climate change and to demonstrate commitment to finding solutions. Earth Hour is 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. local time all round the globe. More than 2,500 communities in 82 countries are participating in Earth Hour.

Among the iconic structures taking part in Earth Hour around the glob are the great pyramids of Giza, Egypt; and the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. The WWF also reports that the Coca-Cola Company will turn off iconic signs around the world, including famous marquees in New York’s Times Square, near San Francisco’s Bay Bridge, in London’s Piccadilly Circus, Sydney’s King’s Cross and on the Las Vegas strip.