Residents can exchange their old Christmas lights for new, energy-saving ones that have light-emitting diodes (LED). The swap of up to two strands of old lights for two strands of new lights will take place between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Friday in the Bonanza Parking lot on Broad Street.

Switching to the energy-saving lights is free and available to customers of Pacific Gas and Electric Co., which donated the lights. Power Up asks residents to bring a PG&E bill to the lights exchange.

Power Up, a new environmental advocacy group in Nevada City, is coordinating the exchange with Placerville-based Motherload Energy Watch and PG&E. LED Christmas lightsa reduce energy consumption by as much as 90 percent, produce a more durable light that can burn brightly "for over 100,000 hours and use light that produces no heat, thereby reducing risk of fire," Power Up said.

Holiday decorations in Nevada City and Grass Valley downtowns now will be both festive and help the environment.

Both towns are using energy-saving Christmas lights this year. The switch is expected to result in Considerable energy savings.

"It's a gool idea," said Nevada City Pulbic Works Diirector Verne Taylor. More...