ST. GEORGE’S, GRENADA, Thursday, December 02, 2010: As part of its waste reduction programme, and in keeping with the Energy Conservation Programme announced by the Minister of Finance in his 2010 Budget Speech, the Ministry of Finance launched its Energy Committee on Wednesday November 17th 2010. In keeping with the main objective of the Energy Conservation Programme, the Energy Committee is committed to fostering a culture of energy savings within the Ministry. In this regard they have set the following as their main goals: ü To monitor, evaluate and improve the Energy Conservation Plan; ü To introduce low cost and/or no cost conservation practices; ü To liaise with members of the various departments to promote energy efficiency; ü To sensitize all staff and the general public on Energy Conservation methods through good public relations; ü To design activities to aid in good electricity and water conservation patterns; ü To encourage good practices in vehicle and transport use ü To partnership with the telecommunication provider (s) to promote energy conservation and efficiency; ü To reward and recognize those exhibiting excellence in energy conservation methods in the Ministry, as a form of motivation. Based on these goals, the Committee has developed an Action Plan involving the following: § Acquisition of Vehicle Fleet Management Software; § Installation of an effective vehicle management system and use of related software; § Displaying of energy conservation signs and messages in all departments; § Circulating of energy conservation tips via text messages from telecommunication service providers; § Displaying of energy conservation messages on all computers connected to the Ministry of Finance servers, at stipulated frequencies, or, intervals; and § The introduction of ‘KILL-A –WATT’ Day. The Government anticipates that it can reduce and effectively save at least 10% of its current electricity consumption by implementing these no cost and low cost energy conservation measures in all Government ministries and departments.