Prince George turned to the dark side Saturday night and joined millions around the world in participating in Earth Hour.
Between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m., Prince George saw a four-per-cent reduction in electricity consumption, the 10th highest in the province, according to BC Hydro.
The utility did not have information on Prince George participation for previous years.
Earth Hour is a global event organized by the World Wildlife Federation, which began in Australia in 2007. Held the last Saturday in March, 135 countries participate in the hour-long symbolic gesture against climate change.
The city got involved by turning off tree lights, office lighting and staff computers at City Hall for the fourth year in a row.
Overall, British Columbians saved 121 megawatt hours of electricity and reduced the provincial electricity load by 1.67 per cent during Earth Hour. Last year, there was an 1.8 per cent drop - the equivalent of turning off about nine million 12.5-watt LED light bulbs.
"Everyone who took the opportunity to participate in Earth Hour deserves our thanks for helping to demonstrate the merits of energy conservation. We look forward to building on this year's success as we work together to find ways to further conserve energy and keep electricity rates as low as possible for British Columbians," said energy minister Rich Coleman, in a press release.
The community with the highest reduction in electricity consumption was Revelstoke, which logged in at 12.1 per cent.
