ANAHEIM, Calif., Oct. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- SYLVANIA, the North American lighting leader and five-time ENERGY STAR(R) Partner of the Year, today hosted the kick-off to the 2007 ENERGY STAR Change a Light, Change the World bus tour at The Disneyland(R) Resort in Anaheim, Calif. where Mickey and Minnie Mouse changed out the first compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) of the campaign.

With the help of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen L. Johnson; Stephanie J. Anderson, OSRAM SYLVANIA chief corporate spokesperson; Greg Emmer, senior vice president of operations for the Disneyland Resort and hundreds of Disneyland Resort guests, the Change a Light bus tour, began its 10-city, 20-day trek across the country to encourage Americans to change one light bulb in their home to an ENERGY STAR compact fluorescent bulb.

Each tour stop is designed to educate the public about the importance of choosing ENERGY STAR qualified lighting as a first step toward energy efficiency and to encourage individuals to take the ENERGY STAR Change a Light pledge -- a commitment to change at least one light at home to an ENERGY STAR- qualified CFL. SYLVANIA has committed to collect 10,000 Change a Light pledges on its website, http://www.sylvania.com/, and began that pledge drive today.

"We are excited to kick-off the 2007 ENERGY STAR Change a Light, Change the World bus tour with our Alliance Partner, the Disneyland Resort," Jennifer Dolin, OSRAM SYLVANIA environmental marketing manager said. "This tour provides us with an opportunity to educate people across the country on the importance of using energy saving SYLVANIA CFL's at home and at work. The savings are huge -- for your wallet and the environment."

In addition to sponsoring the kick-off at the Disneyland Resort, SYLVANIA is also co-sponsoring the October 19th - 20th tour stop in Boston along with other members of the Northeast ENERGY STAR Lighting and Appliance Initiative.

Lighting accounts for about 20 percent of the typical home's electricity use. SYLVANIA ENERGY STAR-rated bulbs last about 10 times longer and save more than $30 in energy costs, compared to standard bulbs.

"We'd like to thank SYLVANIA and its Alliance Partner, the Disneyland Resort, for helping us kick off our National ENERGY STAR Change a Light Tour with such energy and enthusiasm," said Wendy Reed, ENERGY STAR campaign manager with the U.S. EPA. "SYLVANIA has been an integral partner of our Change a Light initiatives for many years and it is fitting that we were able to work together to begin this year's campaign."

The ENERGY STAR Change a Light, Change the World campaign, sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, has been created to encourage Americans to consider the energy they use and to switch to light bulbs and fixtures that have earned the government's ENERGY STAR rating for energy efficiency.

About OSRAM SYLVANIA

OSRAM SYLVANIA is a leader in lighting solutions and specialty products that feature innovative design and energy saving technology. The company sells products for homes, businesses and vehicles primarily under the SYLVANIA brand name, and also under the OSRAM brand. Headquartered in Danvers, Mass., OSRAM SYLVANIA is the North American operation of OSRAM GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of Siemens AG. For more information, visit http://www.sylvania.com/.

About ENERGY STAR

The US Environmental Protection Agency started the ENERGY STAR program in 1992. Today, in partnership with the Department of Energy, ENERGY STAR helps Americans save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy-efficient products and practices. More than 50 different kinds of products can now earn the ENERGY STAR. To learn more, visit http://www.energystar.gov/.

About the Disneyland Resort

Located on approximately 500 acres in Anaheim, Calif., the Disneyland Resort includes the Disneyland(R) and Disney's California Adventure(R) Parks, three hotels with a total of 2,224 rooms and the 310,000 square foot retail, restaurant and entertainment Downtown Disney(R) District. With 20,000 employees, the Disneyland Resort is Orange County's largest single-site employer and a $3.6 billion annual contributor to the local economy. In January 2004, the Resort welcomed its 500 millionth guest since opening on July 17, 1955.

CONTACT: Stephanie J. Anderson of OSRAM SYLVANIA, +1-978-239-3121,
stephanie.anderson@sylvania.com; or Kim Knoblauch of GreystonePartners,
+1-919-368-2892, kim@greystonepartners.net, for OSRAM SYLVANIA