Iolans will get one final opportunity to get energy-efficient, compact fluorescent light bulbs Thursday.
The city’s last Take Charge Energy Challenge activity will be in front of Walmart from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
The challenge, hosted by the Climate and Energy Project of the Kansas Energy Office, is a competition among 16 cities in four regions of the state to see which can do the most to promote energy efficiency. Points are accumulated by residents swapping out incandescent light bulbs for energy-efficient fluorescent ones, informational events focused on saving energy, encouraging residents to have energy audits of their homes and businesses and anything else to increase awareness or reduce energy usage.
Iola is one of five communities in southeast Kansas vying for $100,000.
As of today, Iola is in second place behind Fort Scott. Chanute, Parsons and Pittsburg round out the top spots.
If Iola is able to move into first place by Sept. 30, the $100,000 prize would be used to make recycling something that’s easy for the community to do. Currently, Iola residents have to travel out of town to recycle anything besides aluminum cans and newspapers.
“Our community is very interested in recycling but the avenue isn’t there,” said Becky Nilges, Iola’s Take Charge Challenge team leader.
The challenge ends Friday.
Conservation competition nears finish, Iola still second
